Merida Big.Nine Lite frame with 120mm fork

[Super Sywurm]

Hallo!

 

I currently have a 2020 Merida Big.Nine Lite frame with a standard 100mm travel fork.  I sent Merida SA a mail to ask if the frame is compatible with a 120mm fork.  They said yes, but the warranty will be void.

 

I did a lot of Googling and I know what the general implications will be.  In conclusion, it might have a positive or negative implication in my case.

 

Can the hub mathematicians and clever folks explain to me what the implications will be with my frame, I only do XC/marathon riding.  I know I don't need 120mm travel, but I enjoy it a bit more.  I'm just curious if it is worth trying.   The Manitou fork I have can be converted to 120mm travel.

 

The frame in question:     https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/553/bignine-limited-al

 

Thanks...   

 

 

Edited July 30, 2020 by Super Sywurm

[Super Sywurm]

If it makes a difference, it is a large frame with a 780mm handlebar.

[DR ◣◢]

There is no way an extra 20mm of travel will damage the frame. Just corporate bla bla to indemnify themselves.

 

You will alter the geometry of the bike ever so slightly. Personally I don't think you will even notice it. The extra squish on the front will be lekker. 

 

If the fork can be converted then do it and test. If you don't like it then just change it back.

Just don't tell Merida.

[JacBrand]

 

This is for a Cannondale Habit, but the principle will apply. The maximum fork length that the frame is designed for. I this case it works out to about a 140mm Rockshox fork, although my bike was sold with a 120mm fork.

Look trough the specifications and try find the max fork length

[Schnavel]

I currently have a 2020 Merida Big.Nine Lite frame with a standard 100mm travel fork.  I sent Merida SA a mail to ask if the frame is compatible with a 120mm fork.  They said yes, but the warranty will be void.

 

Why not give it a go - you can always convert it back if you don't like it!

 

Changing from 100mm to 120mm won't be an issue for the bike. I look at Specialized as an example. I have the 2015 Epic which is specced with a 100mm travel fork. They insisted that it couldn't be used with a 120mm as it will void the warranty etc. but then they released the Epic Evo which has the exact same frame as the later Epic, but uses a 120mm fork... Go figure...

[Psyrax]

20mm increase is fine. Your front end will lift - obvious. The head angle with slacken slightly - not bad. BB will lift slightly. Seat angly will slacken slightly. The differences in your bike will be hardly noticed, accept the travel.

 

The matter of losing your warranty, you decide if you want to take that risk.

[Jewbacca]

So, 15mm changes the HA and SA by roughly a degree, so you will be changing the static angles by 1.25'.

 

If you wanted to use the 120mm properly, you would set up the fork with more sag so it fills in the holes and gives you better traction, so you will likely be sitting in a riding position with a front end 10 to 12mm higher than the 100mm fork and BB raised 3 to 5mm ish.

 

Less than 1 degree. 

 

I doubt you will notice it at all.

 

I run a 120mm Revelation on my 100mm Lapierre XR929. It's the best thing I ever did

Edited July 30, 2020 by Jewbacca

[Super Sywurm]

What will the implication on handling be?

[Jewbacca]

What will the implication on handling be?

Nothing that you will notice

[bertusras]

I have a Silverback Sola, which for all intents and purposes is similar to a Big Nine. I've put a 120mm Reba on to my bike, and I really enjoy it. However, I don't think it's the additional travel that I've come to appreciate, but rather the additional stiffness (coming from a Recon). The bike just feels more planted and has less tendency to wallow.

 

Honestly, maybe I'm not that adept to riding bikes and picking up these nuanced changes, but it wasn't a HUGE difference, and I can't say that I felt the changes in geometry (they are so minor), but the fact that the front end was more planted, gave me a whole bunch more confidence to push harder. I'm sure I would have had a similar experience with a better quality 100mm fork to be honest.

 

Ride bike, have fun. That's my motto.

[Super Sywurm]

With the response I got, seems I should try it.

[mrJohan]

I would rather put on a better fork

[Super Sywurm]

I would rather put on a better fork

A 120mm Reba is a future project.  At this stage, the Manitou will do.

[thebob]

Why a Reba? The Motion Control damper is pretty low end. Surely a Fox 34 would be a better bet?

[Super Sywurm]

Why a Reba? The Motion Control damper is pretty low end. Surely a Fox 34 would be a better bet?

Because I had a Reba and I liked it. I am more of a RS fan. Not so into Fox.

 

Personal opinion.