Test: The bike manufacturer Merida is primarily known from the extremely successful cross country Multivan Merida Biking Team. With a star cast of drivers, such as José Hermida, Ondrej Cink and Gunn Rita Dahle-Flesja, they have been successfully chasing victories in the World Cup and at European and World Championships for several years.
The fact that the Taiwanese engineers can not only construct racing machines in the high-end sector is shown by their comprehensive product range, in which every ambitious mountain biker gets their money's worth.
Equipment and driving impression
Part of this is the Merida one forty, a versatile all-mountain that is offered to the customer in a total of four configurations. Our test model comes in the 2-Bvariant and with a frame size of 17 inches. Simple and without a lot of frills, it makes an appealing impression right from the start. A look at the geometry also gives an idea of a rock-solid bike with a balanced riding experience. No great experiments were made here: With a 67 degree steering angle, 449 millimeter long chainstays and a 595 millimeter long top tube, you create a good balance between playfulness and stability.
The equipment makes it equal to the geometry. It boasts proven products One Forty 2-B not, but the selected components form a rock-solid basis for lots of driving fun. So spring elements come from the house at the rear and at the front Fox Racing Shox used and offer 145 millimeters of travel on the rear wheel and 150 millimeters on the front wheel.
When it comes to the drive, you rely on the solid XTgroup from Shimano and offers the rider an incredibly wide range with 30 gears. With the SLX-Brakes you use the slightly cheaper version of the XT, which are known to provide reliable service. The Sun Ringle Charger-Wheels were made with Schwalbes Nobby Nick 2.35 related and should ensure good traction.
A short 60 millimeter stem from the company's own product range is used in the cockpit, paired with an FSA V-Drive-Handlebar, which has a width of 730 millimeters. For a relaxed tour without annoying dismounting, the KS Super Natural Vario support, which can be operated via a lever under the saddle.
Our test terrain could not have been better with the Rabenberg Trail Center. Here the bike could be put through its paces and was able to prove its qualities on the beautiful single trails as well as on the long climbs.
The Fox suspension can be adjusted quickly and easily. The chassis can be adjusted to the body weight via a Schrader valve. The CTDplatform offers the perfect setting for the respective application on both the damper and the fork, whether uphill or downhill.
The well-proportioned geometry is noticeable right from the first meters. The seating position is very comfortable and the rider assumes a neutral position on the bike, which invites you to extensive tours. The stem, which is short for all-mountain bikes, creates a very direct riding experience, which suggests a lot of safety to the rider.
It handles the climbs one forty with flying colours. The rear end is thanks to the Climb-Adjustment of the damper super quiet and allows the introduced force to go directly to the rear wheel. The Nobby Nick does the rest and convinces with good traction. Even on technical climbs or on winding, slow trails, the bike can be maneuvered perfectly over roots, stones and around switchbacks. The balance of the bike is completely convincing here.
The very wide range of XTgroup is undoubtedly a true blessing for long and, above all, steep climbs, but true to the motto "less is sometimes more" we would wish for a less vulnerable and quieter drive. Nevertheless, we arrive relaxed at the summit of the trail center and can now test the Merida's resilience.
For an all-mountain this has Merida One-Forty 2-B has an unusually large spring travel and invites you to hit the trails with a little more speed. The comfortable riding position of the bike scores again. At no time do you feel unsafe, which is also supported by the comparably long suspension travel. Curves can be driven with a lot of momentum and the bike goes evenly over both wheels. The SLX-Brakes perform a reliable service. In combination with the 180 millimeter brake discs, they have sufficient braking power. We would only choose the XT-brake decide.
The Merida conveys a solid driving experience on fast straight passages. The chassis easily takes harder hits and always offers enough reserves. The bike invites you to push off small stones and corners and enjoy a little airtime. The KS seat post is a bit impractical. The lever under the saddle is easy to reach, but if you are on the trail and there are small counter climbs where you don't want to get out of the saddle, it will be difficult to get to it. A remote lever on the handlebars would be very desirable here.
Once you get the bike up to speed, it keeps it going very well. swallows Nobby Nick offers a good compromise between rolling resistance and grip. We particularly like the wheels. The Sun Ringle typical hum of the hub is like music to our ears. They can also convince in tough applications. Thanks to the thru-axle at the rear, the rear end always remains stable and gives the driver good feedback. Meridas VPK-Rear construction does not tend to sag and thus offers full suspension travel at all times.
Conclusion
The Meridian One Forty 2-B is an all-mountain with tough qualities. The well-balanced geometry in combination with tried and tested components invites you to extensive tours, which can also be a bit rougher and faster. For a price of 2.599 euros, you get a rock-solid bike that could turn out to be a true trail artist with just a few modifications.
product Highlights
- balanced geometry
- good value for money
- nice clean look
price and web
- 2.599,00 Euros
- www.merida-bikes.com