Wireless shifting used to be reserved for the top of the range. On the Big Nine 7000 it arrives at a far more reachable price, in the shape of Shimano's Deore Di2 M6250 rear derailleur and its matching wireless shifter. There is no cable or housing to route, stretch or contaminate, every shift lands the same way, and the battery is measured in months of riding rather than days.

The frame is CF3 III carbon with Boost spacing, a threaded BSA bottom bracket and room for 29 x 2.4 tyres. Geometry follows the current progressive cross-country thinking, so it climbs efficiently but is not out of its depth pointing back down. The Acros ICR integrated headset uses upper and lower IPS sealing, and the Team CC III stem includes a Merida SMART MOUNT so a computer or light sits neatly in front of the bar rather than clamped on top of it.

Up front is a Fox 32 SC Performance fork: air sprung, 100mm of travel, a 44mm offset and a two position remote lockout. It is noticeably more supple than the forks lower down the range, and that is where a lot of the extra speed over rough ground comes from, because the front wheel stays in contact with the ground rather than skipping across it. Shimano Deore M6200 two piston brakes, a 10-51 twelve speed cassette and a 32 tooth Deore chainset complete the running gear.

Maxxis Rekon Race tyres come in 29x2.4 WT with 3C MaxxTerra rubber, an EXO casing and a tubeless ready bead, mounted on Merida Expert CC II rims with a 25mm internal width and double butted stainless spokes. Note that tubeless tape and valves are not supplied. Finishing kit is an FSA SL-K carbon seat post and an Expert SL II saddle with a Merida minitool tucked away inside it, which is a neat touch on a bike meant for long days.

Features

• CF3 III carbon frame, Boost axle spacing, BSA threaded bottom bracket
• Progressive cross-country geometry, clearance for 29 x 2.4 tyres
• Fox 32 SC Performance air fork, 100mm travel, two position remote lockout, 44mm offset
• Shimano Deore Di2 M6250 wireless rear derailleur and wireless shifter
• Shimano Deore M6200 10-51 twelve speed cassette with 32 tooth chainset
• Shimano Deore M6200 two piston hydraulic disc brakes
• Maxxis Rekon Race 29x2.4 WT tyres, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO casing, tubeless ready
• Merida Expert CC II tubeless ready rims, 25mm internal width, Shimano TC500 Centerlock hubs
• Acros ICR integrated headset with upper and lower IPS sealing
• Team CC III stem with Merida SMART MOUNT accessory mount
• FSA SL-K carbon seat post and Expert SL II saddle with integrated minitool