Every mountain biker starts somewhere, and the Big Nine 15 is a sensible place to begin. The TFS V frame is double butted, technoformed 6061 aluminium with a tapered head tube, full internal cable routing and chain stay mounted disc brakes, and it carries the same longer reach and shorter stem as the rest of the current hardtail range. That matters more than it sounds: the riding position feels modern rather than cramped, and the slacker head angle and steeper seat angle make it more capable off road without turning it into hard work on the way there.

The build is deliberately simple and easy to look after. An SR Suntour XCS28 coil fork gives 100mm of travel, a Shimano 2x7 drivetrain built from Altus and Tourney parts covers a wide spread of gears, and Shimano BR-M375 mechanical disc brakes handle the stopping. Kenda K1080 tyres in 29x2.2 roll well on hardpack and gravel, and the Merida Comp CC rims run a 20mm internal width on Shimano hubs, which is sturdier than you often find at this level. Mudguard and kickstand mounts mean it works for the commute as well as the woods.

Features

• TFS V double butted and technoformed 6061 aluminium frame
• Tapered head tube, full internal cable routing, chain stay mounted disc brake
• Trail ready geometry: longer reach, shorter stem, slacker head angle
• SR Suntour XCS28 coil fork, 100mm travel
• Shimano 2x7 drivetrain: Altus front mech, Tourney TY300 rear, 12-32 cassette
• Shimano M315 36-22 tooth aluminium chainset
• Shimano BR-M375 mechanical disc brakes
• Kenda K1080 29x2.2 tyres
• Merida Comp CC rims, 20mm internal width, on Shimano TX505 and QC300-HM Centerlock hubs
• Mudguard and kickstand mounts, BSA threaded bottom bracket, 135 x 9mm rear axle
• Frame clearance for 29 x 2.4 tyres; fork rated to 29 x 2.25