Test: If you are looking for a thoroughbred enduro racer, you don't necessarily think of a Merida at first glance - but you definitely should. The Merida One Sixty is a baller enduro of the finest kind. Ample spring travel, carbon frame, modern geometry and top equipment. Velomotion tested the One Sixty for you.
Merida was founded in 1972 by Ike Tseng with the aim of promoting the "Made in Taiwan" label. Today, Taiwan enjoys an excellent reputation in the bicycle industry and probably has the greatest know-how of all. A Merida is created internationally: The team develops the entire model range in the Stuttgart area. In Yuanlin, Taiwan, they combine the development work of the German team with materials, innovative manufacturing technologies and precise and careful manual work.
Merida One Sixty 2019: Frame / Geometry:
The Merida One Sixty looks chic. The top equipment of the Merida One Sixty shines with a black carbon main frame decorated with bright red flashes. The rear end of the One Sixty is made of aluminum. The slim line of the carbon frame gives the bike a chic look. The details are also pleasing: The cables are clamped into the frame at the entrance so that nothing rattles and there is also space for a bottle holder.
The Fox X2 shock sits at the lower end on an extension of the aluminum chainstay. The rear end of the Merida has a successful mix of sensitivity and feedback. It responds sensitively and is stable in the medium spring travel. Once it gets harder, the damper offers a pleasant final progression. The carbon version is currently only available in three sizes (S, M, L). The aluminum version is also available in size XL.
The geometry of the One Sixty is sporty and modern. Thanks to the slack steering angle of 65,3°, the Merida stays safely on course even on steep sections. With the combination of a 475 mm reach and a 75° seat angle, you sit very centrally on the bike. This is particularly useful for the Merida uphill, as the front wheel can be put under a lot of pressure and the tire only rises very late in steep sections.
Merida One Sixty
| S | M | L | |
| seat tube (in mm) | 400 | 430 | 470 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 563 | 597 | 632 |
| head tube (in mm) | 100 | 110 | 125 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 430 | 430 | 430 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1166 | 1201 | 1237 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 65,3 | 65,3 | 65,3 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Reach (mm) | 415 | 445 | 475 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 592 | 601 | 614 |
Merida One Sixty 2019: Features
The Merida One Sixty we tested is the top variant for 6.399 euros. Merida saved on the right corner when it came to equipment and gave the One Sixty a Fox 36 Factory Grip2 suspension fork with 170 mm travel and a Fox Float X2 damper. The spring elements are currently among the best in their category and can be adjusted in high-speed and low-speed compression and in high-speed and low-speed rebound.
The 27,5 inch FSA Gradient LTD carbon rims are fitted with Maxxis Minion DHR II 2,4″ tires at the front and rear and provide the necessary rigidity and perfect grip in almost all conditions. Savings were made in the right place in the circuit. A Sram GX Eagle is used here - perfect for the job, that's all it takes. The mrp chain guide keeps the chain in place even in rough passages.
The Sram Code RSC also impress with perfect adjustment options and stop the bike and the driver with the 200/180 mm brake discs even in tricky situations. The Kind Shock Lev Integra has an adjustment range of 150 mm in sizes M,L and 125 mm in size S. A small drop of bitterness: The Kind Shock Remote lever is not matchmaker-compatible and must be clamped to an extra clamp.
Merida One Sixty 2019 on the trail:
If you take a seat on the Merida One Sixty, you will notice the very balanced and central seating position. You immediately feel comfortable on the Merida. This is also confirmed on climbs. Even on steep sections, there is enough pressure on the front wheel. The rear triangle also works drive-neutrally, but could do with platform damping very well in order to increase the performance even further. Too much energy was wasted on the Fox Float X2 in out-of-the-saddle interludes.
On the descents, the One Sixty impresses with a very sensitive rear end that can handle even large chunks with ease. The bike changes direction very easily. The balance between the wheels is ideal and requires little weight shifting, making the Merida One Sixty lively to ride and clearly fun to ride. In really demanding terrain, however, the Merida reaches its limits a little earlier. It never goes unchecked, but warns the driver in good time.
