Downcountry is an awkward word for a genuinely good idea: take a light cross-country frame and give it enough fork, tyre and dropper post to be enjoyable when the trail turns rough. The Big Nine TR 5000 is that idea done properly, and it is the model to look at if you want one hardtail for big rides and for messing about on descents.

The base is the CF3 III carbon frame with Boost spacing, a threaded BSA bottom bracket and room for 29 x 2.4 tyres, using the same progressive geometry and Agilometer sizing as the race models. What changes is what is bolted to it. A RockShox Reba RL air fork brings 120mm of travel rather than 100mm, with a 44mm offset and a remote lockout so you can firm the front end up for a climb and open it again at the top.

The dropper post is the other half of the story. Merida's own Team TR SL gives 150mm of drop on S and M frames and 170mm on L and above, operated by a bar lever, and getting the saddle out of the way does more for your confidence on a steep, loose descent than any other single part. Maxxis Rekon tyres in 29x2.4 WT with 3C rubber and an EXO casing trade a little rolling speed for real cornering grip, and they are tubeless ready on Merida Expert CC II rims with a 25mm internal width.

Shifting and braking are Shimano Deore twelve speed throughout: an M7200 SGS rear derailleur, a 10-51 cassette, a 32 tooth MT520 chainset and M6200 two piston hydraulic discs. It is hard-wearing, cheap to service and easy to get parts for, which leaves the budget where it counts on a bike like this. An Acros ICR integrated headset with upper and lower IPS sealing and a 760mm flat bar round it off.

Features

• CF3 III carbon frame, Boost axle spacing, BSA threaded bottom bracket
• Agilometer sizing and progressive geometry, clearance for 29 x 2.4 tyres
• RockShox Reba RL air fork, 120mm travel, remote lockout, 44mm offset
• Merida Team TR SL dropper post, 150mm on S and M, 170mm on L to XXL
• Shimano Deore twelve speed drivetrain, M7200 SGS rear mech, M6200 shifter
• Shimano Deore M6200 10-51 cassette with 32 tooth MT520 chainset
• Shimano Deore M6200 two piston hydraulic disc brakes
• Maxxis Rekon 29x2.4 WT tyres, 3C compound, 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
• Merida Expert CC 760mm flat bar with Team CC III stem and SMART MOUNT
• Merida Comp SL saddle using 25% recycled material