MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K – In our huge 2024 e-mountainbike test

The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY goes into the next round! It’s always been regarded as a jack-of-all-trades, and its predecessor has already secured the victory in one of our previous eMTB group tests. This year, MERIDA enter the race with the new eONE-SIXTY, which takes on the competition with a stylish look and Shimano EP801 motor. But can it live up to the high demands, or will it collapse under the pressure to perform?

The eONE-SIXTY has been an integral part of MERIDA’s portfolio for a long time. Over the past few years, we’ve had the chance to test it in all imaginable spec variants and on all sorts of trails. In our budget eMTB group test under € 6,500, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 975 secured Best in Test, proving to be an outstanding all-rounder. Now the new MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K has big shoes to fill. The latest iteration relies on the same fresh new look as its analogue counterpart, the ONE-SIXTY, and brings along an exciting geometry and sizing concept – but more on this later. The eONE-SIXTY generates 170/174 mm of travel (f/r) and rolls on a mullet wheel setup. However, thanks to a flip chip, it can also be converted to a full 29er with 170/160 mm of travel (f/r). For the motor, MERIDA rely on a Shimano EP801 drive system, which churns out 85 Nm of torque and draws its power from a 600 Wh battery. Peak power is 600 watts, which is a whole 100 watts more than its EP8 predecessor. Our top-spec 10K test bike in size M tips the scales at 21.8 kg and retails at € 11,599.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

What sets the 2024 MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K apart from the competition?

With the new eONE-SIXTY, MERIDA enter the race with an updated version of their electric trail all-rounder – while practical, the previous version was starting to look a bit dated. The new version looks fresh, and this is not only due to the white paintwork with gold accents. The full carbon frame relies on the same subtle, modern design language and rear suspension design as its analogue counterpart, the MERIDA ONE-SIXTY, with the shock merging seamlessly into the seat stays. The special feature: thanks to the flexible seat stays, there’s no need for a rear pivot between the seat and chainstay. Despite the thorough overhaul, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K retains the most striking design element of its predecessor – the distinctive cooling fins at the head tube. The new eONE-SIXTY also has the classic MERIDA multitool under the saddle, which is extremely practical, as long as you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, as it tends to get splattered with mud. Specialized and FLYER both take the tool integration game up a notch, hiding it safely inside the steerer tube. However, MERIDA also add an additional tool strap to the underside of the top tube. A TPU fender shields the seat tube from flying debris and muck, while a generously sized chainstay protector prevents chain slap and stone chips. The cables disappear into the frame through the headset and are securely clamped in place, ensuring a quiet ride on the trail. While the internal headset routing ensures a clean look, it also makes it harder to work on the bike. The stylish look and clever detail solutions are rounded off by MERIDA’s exciting geometry and sizing concept, which combines a short seat tube and long, travel-adjustable dropper post in all frame sizes, thus allowing you to choose the frame size based on your personal preferences and riding style.

Both the Shimano EP801 motor and 600 Wh battery are neatly integrated into the frame, ensuring a well-proportioned frame silhouette. However, the battery can’t be removed for charging, meaning that you’ll have to take the bike inside the house if you don’t have a garage or basement with a plug. The charging port sits right above the motor and is easy to access, though the fiddly rubber cover makes things a little more complicated. The battery capacity can be expanded with a big 360 Wh range extender, which is secured to the down tube with a dedicated mount. While this boosts the total capacity to a whopping 960 Wh, the extender’s massive dimensions make the MERIDA look like an old-school eMTB with an external battery. Shimano supplies the rest of the motor’s peripheral components including the classic, bar-mounted SC-EM800 display and minimalist power button on the top tube.

The downhill-orientated spec leaves nothing to be desired. This includes bling FOX Factory suspension consisting of a finely-tunable 38 GRIP2 fork and matching FLOAT X2 air shock, both with a fancy Kashima coating and countless adjustment options. Shifting is taken care of by a robust SRAM XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which delivers butter-smooth shifting even under load, and draws its power directly from the main battery, making an additional battery in the rear derailleur superfluous. SRAM also supply the CODE Ultimate Stealth four-piston brakes, which, together with the 220 mm rotor at the front and 200 mm disc at the rear, provide reliable and powerful deceleration, even on long, steep descents. MERIDA’s in-house 230 mm TEAM TR II dropper post offers the most travel in our test, alongside Orbea’s OC Mountain Control MC21 dropper – the other manufacturers in this test should follow suit! For the wheels, MERIDA rely on a DT Swiss HXC 1501 SPLINE carbon wheelset and MAXXIS tires, combining an ASSEGAI in the soft MaxxGrip rubber compound at the front and Minion DHR II in the harder MaxxTerra compound at the rear, both in the robust Doubledown casing – an outstanding choice! Moreover, the setup with mixed rubber compounds strikes an excellent compromise between traction, durability and rolling resistance.

Tuning tip: Size up for more composure, size down for a nimbler character – the geometry allows you to do so!

What is the 2024 MERIDA eONE-SIXTY capable of on the trail?

The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K is easy and predictable to ride, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced rider. The intuitive handling makes you feel at ease from the get go, putting a massive grin on your face right from the first pedal stroke. The weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear, making it easy to negotiate open corners, regardless of your skills. Overall, the MERIDA implements steering input willingly, and only the Specialized Turbo Levo Pro is slightly more agile on flowing trails and delivers even more riding fun. The firm suspension encourages you to pop off tree stumps, and offers enough reserves to bail you out with botched landings. The eONE-SIXTY 10K strikes an excellent balance between agility and composure and does not shy away from nasty rock gardens either. Active riders should get enough feedback from the ground and always know what’s going on under their wheels. That said, the MERIDA can’t quite keep up with the outstanding composure of the top dog in this test, the Orbea WILD. On looser trails, the suspension generates truck-loads of traction, and only the Orbea WILD, Canyon Strive:ON and Pivot Shuttle AM can top it in this regard. On steeper trails, the integrated riding position inspires huge amounts of confidence together with the short seat tube and long-travel dropper post.

When it’s time to get back to the trailhead again, the MERIDA places you in a compact yet comfortable pedalling position, which allows you to negotiate even longer uphills without having to book yourself in with a chiropractor the following day. The excellent suspension is partly responsible for this, absorbing vibrations and even bigger bumps with great efficiency. On steeper climbs, the front wheel remains planted on the ground and follows steering inputs with great precision. When taking a cheeky shortcut on a technical uphill trail, the Shimano EP801 motor packs a punch, proving just as potent as the most powerful drives in the test. That said, it doesn’t deliver the same kick as the Bosch Performance Line CX Race motor of the Pivot Shuttle AM and Orbea WILD, for example. Again, the weight is reassuringly balanced between the front and rear which, in combination with the suspension’s excellent traction, makes the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K a very capable climber. To top off a perfect day on the trails, you can’t miss the sunset from the summit. Fortunately, the eONE-SIXTY comes standard with an integrated Lezyne E-Bike Power E115 headlight, which feeds directly off the main battery and allows you to shred your way back down into the valley after a cheeky sunset pint in your favourite refuge – don’t drink and ride!!!! 😜

With its predictable, intuitive handling, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY puts a massive grin on your face, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced rider.

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K and who should look elsewhere?

The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K is a high-performance eMTB for a wide target group, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned trail ripper. Wherever you decide to go, it’ll take everything in its stride, with plenty of fun in the process. It also shines off the trail with its countless clever features and excellent all-round qualities, thus covering a very wide range of applications.

Our conclusions about the 2024 MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K

The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K impresses not only with a fresh look, but also with a flawless spec and first-class trail performance. The predictable handling makes it easy to ride for both beginners and advanced riders, whatever situation. The excellent riding performance in all situations, clever touring and everyday features, and stylish design make some of its competitors look old-fashioned.

Tops

• Suitable for both beginners and advanced riders
• Potent spec
• Clever detail solutions

Flops

• Flimsy charging port

For more information, visit merida-bikes.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

All bikes in test: BULLS VUCA EVO AM 2 (Click for review) | BULLS SONIC EVO AM SX-I (Click for review) | Canyon Strive:ON CFR LTD (Click for review) | Canyon Torque:ON CF Roczen (Click for review) | CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i (Click for review) | CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 (Click for review) | FLYER Uproc X 8.70 (Click for review) | FOCUS SAM² 6.9 (Click for review) | GASGAS ECC 6 (Click for review) | GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 (Click for review) | KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime (Click for review) | Lapierre Overvolt GLP3 (Click for review) | Merida eOne-Sixty 10K | Mondraker Neat RR SL (Click for review) | Moustache Samedi 29 Game 11 FOX (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Shuttle AM Team (Click for review) | Propain Ekano 2 CF (Click for review) | RADON RENDER 10.0 HD (Click for review) | ROTWILD R.X 1000 Ultra (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOR 4060 ST (Click for review) | SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 Tuned (Click for review) | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax Pinion (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo Pro (Click for review) | Spherik E-SMT XX AXS (Click for review)

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Words & Photos: Mike Hunger