This carbon Merit Jumbo is the first production gravel bike to embrace 750d wheels, and we got an exclusive chance to be the first to test-ride it. Yes, this is a new wheel size. Yes, the tire and wheel options are still quite limited. But especially for taller riders, 750d could make some sense. So we wanted to give it a closer look…
Merit Jumbo 750d big-wheeled carbon gravel bike

The driving factor of an all-new wheel size is tire and rim availability. WTB set this ball in motion when they rolled out their prototype 750d x 40mm Nano last summer before the MADE show, with alloy i25 750d wheels to match. Then at MADE, we got a closer look at the custom titanium Moots CRDD gravel bike that showcased the new wheel size. But 750d hasn’t quite taken the world by storm just yet, and that CRDD still hasn’t made it into the official production line-up in Steamboat.

Still, WTB has added a fast-rolling Byway 750d semi-slick now, too.

Bigger wheels mean better rolling over rough terrain, the ability to run lower tire pressure, and thus improved grip. We all know how 29″ wheels were a game-changer that made 26″ obsolete. (And WTB was the first to make a 29er production tire, a Nano too!) And for a gravel bike that also just means smoother riding over those same washboard gravel roads. Plus, for longer-distance riding, those larger diameter (and thus heavier) wheels should help maintain momentum, too.
But the other real big benefit here is a better fit for bigger riders. And not only because it looks more proportional.
And Merit has you covered now!
Geometry, not so different than we’re used to

Jumbo 750d – Tech details


- 1100g frame (claimed, size L)
- full carbon 1.5″ tapered steerer fork
- 1.5″ IS headset with full internal cable routing
- universal derailleur hanger (UDH) with T-type direct mount compatibility
- T47 bottom bracket
- 27.2mm seatpost, with a 31.8 conventional seatpost clamp
- flat mount FM160 disc brakes, 180mm rotor possible in the front only
- Road Boost thru-axle spacing – 12x110mm front & 12x148mm rear
- 750d x 45mm max tire clearance, or 29×2″ / 700c x 50mm (+5mm clearance in the fork)
- 1x only, with a 46T max chainring (47.5mm chainline)
- 3-bolt downtube & 2-bolt seattube bottle cage mounts, plus toptube bag mounts



Merit Turbo 750d Carbon Gravel Wheels


- 25mm internal
- hookless tubeless bead – 660mm bead seat diameter
- 31mm external x 35mm deep with a classic blunt nose aero profile
- 495g per rim (claimed)
- complete wheelsets built up with alloy Bitex Road Boost hubs with 12mm thru-axles
- 28 straight-pull Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes per wheel, expected to be lighter with carbon spokes
- complete wheelset weights of around 1650g now as I tested
750d vs. 700c sizing comparison

- 750d x 40mm on a 25mm internal rim measures 43mm wide and is 756 in diameter, for a calculated circumference of 2375mm.
- A 700c x 40mm tire is measured at 2190mm around at 697mm in diameter,
- a 29er (also 700c) x 2.4″ XC tire measures 2305mm in circumference for a 734mm height overall
- a 29 x 2.6″ enduro tire measures 2320mm around to come in at 738mm in diameter.

Riding Impressions: A First Ride Review



Shining on open dirt & gravel roads



Merit Jumbo 750d – Pricing, options & availability



