What’s that doing in this test? With its big Shimano EP801 motor and integrated 600 Wh battery, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K doesn’t really look like a light eMTB at all. As the heaviest bike in the entire test field, it doesn’t have particularly good chances of winning this test either. But how did the longest-travel contestant fare against the competition in our 2024 light eMTB comparison test? As eMTB categories increasingly converge, we thought it was worthwhile to find out.

22.6 kg in size L | € 11,599 | Manufacturer’s website
With the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K, the Taiwanese bike manufacturer enters the race with the flagship model of their eONE-SIXTY range. After securing the Best Buy Tip in our E-MOUNTAINBIKE group test under €7,000 with the eONE-SIXTY 875, MERIDA are now taking on the light eMTB test field. The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY is an old acquaintance of ours, having already taken part in our big e-mountainbike group test. It relies on an 85 Nm Shimano EP801 motor and a 600 Wh battery, generating 170/174 mm of travel at the front and rear. Just like their enduro bikes, MERIDA’s eMTBs rely on a special sizing concept, which adapts the reach while maintaining a short seat tube across the board. As a result, the character of the bike changes from agile to composed as the frame size grows. We tested the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K in size L (Long), which tips the scales at 22.58 kg. This makes it the heaviest eMTB in the entire group test, but still reflects the exciting developments of recent years. At €11,599, the MERIDA eOne-SIXTY 10K ranks in the upper price segment of our test field.

Click here for an overview of this comparison test: The best light eMTB of 2024 – 9 of the most exciting bikes in direct comparison
What sets the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K apart from the competition?
The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K is wrapped in a sleek silver paint finish, with the Kashima-coated suspension providing elegant, golden accents. The carbon frame relies on a simple, understated design language, while the shock merges seamlessly into the seat stays. Just like its analogue enduro counterpart, the ONE-SIXTY, it relies on flex-pivot rear suspension. Mounting points on the down tube and on the underside of the top tube allow you to carry a water bottle and all of your trail essentials directly on the bike, while a mini tool under the saddle makes it easy to carry out basic trailside repairs. There’s an additional Allen key hiding in the rear thru axle. A generously sized chainstay protector prevents chain slap and paint chips, while a TPU fender shields the seat tube from flying debris and muck.
Like its predecessor, the new MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K features the distinctive cooling fins at the head tube, which help prevent the 600 Wh battery in the down tube from overheating. The battery is permanently integrated into the down tube, and can’t be removed for charging. This means that the 10K has to be charged at your parking space with an available socket via the charging port in the bottom bracket area, which can only be closed with a great deal of dexterity due to the fiddly cover. The battery feeds an 85 Nm Shimano EP801 motor which, unlike the SyncDrive Pro2 motor of the GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite, is seamlessly integrated into the bottom bracket, rounding off the overall clean look of the bike. If you want to find out more about the latest and most exciting motor systems, you should take a closer look at our big motor comparison test. The MERIDA’s main battery also powers the Lezyne E-Bike Power E115 headlight on the stem, which ensures good visibility even at night. The battery capacity – and thus the range – can be expanded with the optional 360 Wh range extender, but this also increases the bike’s system weight. Plus, always remember, the range of an eMTB depends on multiple factors, not just the size of the battery! The range extender can be secured to a bracket on the cage mount, meaning that you’ll have to carry your water elsewhere when using the extender. The Shimano SC-EM800 display on the handlebars shows all relevant riding data like the current support level, battery charge status and more.



Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain, which enables shifting under load and relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur. There’s no need for a mech hanger, and the rear derailleur is less prone to getting damaged. The MERIDA comes standard as a mullet bike, rolling on a robust DT Swiss HXC 1501 SPLINE carbon wheelset. The flip chip in the shock mount allows you to convert it to a full 29er, though this also reduces the suspension travel to 170/160 mm (f/r). The wheels are paired with MAXXIS tires, with an ASSEGAI in the soft MaxxGrip rubber compound and EXO+ casing at the front, and a Minion DHR II tyre in the hard MaxxTerra rubber compound and robust Doubledown casing at the rear – excellent! SRAM CODE Ultimate Stealth four-piston brakes with a 220 mm rotor at the front and 200 mm disc at the rear provide powerful, reliable deceleration. FOX supply the 38 Factory GRIP2 fork and matching FLOAT X2 Factory shock, both of which boast a fancy Kashima coating and, at 170/174 mm of travel, make the MERIDA the longest-travel bike in the entire test field. Both fork and shock offer countless adjustment options and deliver a tremendous performance on the trail. MERIDA’s in-house TEAM TR II dropper post has a massive 230 mm of travel and can be inserted all the way into the frame, ensuring plenty of freedom of movement on the trail.



MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K
€ 11,599
Specifications
Motor Shimano EP801 85 Nm
Battery Trend Power Internal Battery 600 Wh
Display Shimano SC-EM800
Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 174 mm
Seatpost MERIDA TEAM TR II 230 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE Ultimate Stealth 220/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission 1x12
Stem MERIDA Expert eTR II 40 mm
Handlebar MERIDA TEAM TR II 780 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss HXC1501 SPLINE 29"/27.5"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI, MaxxGrip, EXO+/ MAXXIS Minion DHR II, MaxxTerra Doubledown 2.5"/2.4"
Technical Data
Size XS S M L XL
Weight 22.6 kg
Perm. total weight 140 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 117 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no
Specific Features
integrated front light
Tool
Tuning tip: If you value an agile character, you should downsize when buying the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY.
Build to shred – The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K on the trail
When gravity takes over, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K integrates you nicely between its wheels, with the weight evenly distributed between the front and rear. The intuitive handling makes you feel at ease from the get go, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned trail veteran. If you open the taps right from the start and smash through nasty rock gardens at full pelt, the MERIDA is surprisingly composed, making it one of the best performing competitors in the entire test field. The eONE-SIXTY smooths out the trail and forgives riding mistakes if you get overexcited, offering tons of reserves, gobbling up rough trails with great composure and inspiring huge amounts of confidence to push your limits a little more. Only the metallic clunking noise of the Shimano motor spoils the otherwise quiet riding experience.
If you want to take it a little easier at first and start the day with a nice flow trail, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K requires a little more physical effort. The plush suspension makes it hard to generate speed by pumping the bike through rollers, swallowing the rider’s input, unlike the Santa Cruz Heckler SL. As a result, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY feels a little stodgy on flow trails and can’t wait for you to hit the next rough section. Despite the comparatively high system weight, the MERIDA is easy to flick around corners, but it can’t match the nimbleness of the Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL. That said, if you want more agility, you can always pick a smaller frame size.


On your way back to the trailhead, the Shimano EP801 motor provides powerful assistance, allowing you to reach the top of the hill in no time using Boost mode, with its 600 watts of peak power. The comfortable, compact pedalling position enables long days in the saddle without forcing you to book yourself in with a chiropractor the next day. The excellent suspension also delivers a tremendous performance uphill, absorbing small bumps with great sensitivity and generating plenty of traction in the process. Overall, the MERIDA proves an excellent climber.
Jackpot! MERIDA rely on a solid tire combo, which ensures plenty of puncture protection and tons of traction.

Who should take a closer look at the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K?
The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K is an excellent choice if you like to get rowdy on a composed, predictable bike. The intuitive handling makes you feel at ease, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider. Thanks to the comfortable riding position, efficient suspension and powerful motor, the MERIDA is also suitable for longer tours.


Our conclusions about the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K
The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K feels at home on the rough stuff, but it doesn’t really come to life on flowing trails. With its composed character, potent suspension and intuitive handling, it holds up against the other light eMTBs in this test, proving suitable for a wide range of riders. It also scores points with practical features like the headlight and integrated multi-tool, which round off the successful overall package.

Tops
- Very composed
- Clever detail solutions
- Solid spec

Flops
- Finicky charging port
For more information, visit merida-bikes.com
The test field
Click here for an overview of this comparison test: The best light eMTB of 2024 – 9 of the most exciting bikes in direct comparison
All bikes in test: Cannondale Moterra SL1 | GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 V2 | Mondraker Dune RR | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K | Orbea Rise | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV | SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 Tuned | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL | YT DECOY SN

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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker