Endurance test performance: 3,270 kilometres | 32,540 vertical metres
In the comparison test of inexpensive entry-level fullys from BIKE 5/2012 the Merida stood out positively not only because of its attractive appearance. Under 13 kilos, a complete XT drivetrain apart from the Deore cassette and 120 mm Fox suspension - at first glance, the One-Twenty would appear to be more expensive. Well, the groupless Shimano hubs were a little rough right from the start and the shock bushings already had a little play, but otherwise it was just a case of getting on and riding. I had to extend the seat post as far as it would go, the riding position was great and no tuning was necessary. The carefree fully didn't get much affection: an occasional shower and a few drops of oil on the chain - the One-Twenty had to make do with that. Thanks to the completely closed cables, the gears never got a hitch, not even in winter. So I spent the first 2500 kilometres blissfully pedalling through the foothills of the Alps and my home, the Palatinate Forest. I chose a rather sporty and firm suspension setting, and the bike always responded sensitively to even the smallest bumps.
Then it started: when braking, the rear end suddenly howled like a hellhound. Changing the brake pads only provided short-term relief. The cause of the noise was vibrations transmitted from the brakes to the frame. Play in the bearings caused the rear triangle to start its unpleasant concert (see manufacturer's comment at the bottom). Finally, a three-day trail battle in Finale Ligure sealed the fate of the front hub. The cones and bearing balls were ruined, but the replacement parts only cost a few euros.
Conclusion: not a marathon racer, but a fun touring companion in the low mountain ranges. According to Merida, rear-end vibrations affect five to ten per cent of the One-Twentys delivered in the 2012 and 2013 model years.
Functionality *****
Shelf life ****
(max. 6 stars)
DEFECTS
- 2400 km chain changed: The KMC chain lasted a long time.
- 2500 km brake noise: pads ground down, disc cleaned
- 2550 km brake noise: Original Shimano pads replaced with BBB pads
- 3270 km Hub/bearings: Front hub defective, replacement of rear shock bushings and rear bearings
Resonance vibrations - that's what the manufacturer says:
"Resonance vibrations of the frame, triggered by the brakes, are a complex problem that affects various bikes from a wide range of manufacturers. Replacing the bearings and brake pads is sometimes enough to remedy the problem. In severe cases, the entire rear triangle has to be replaced. The Merida service is very accommodating here. With the successor to the One-Twenty, we paid particular attention to solving this problem." Jürgen Falke, Merida
Sebastian Brust
Editor
