Merida eOne-Sixty SL 8000 on test: Is this lightweight e-bike the ideal trail buddy?

E-mountainbikes from Merida come with a Shimano motor. This was a given for many years. At the end of 2024, the Magstadt-based developers brought a new motor supplier and thus colour into the game: the eOne-Sixty SL was the first Merida with a Bosch motor to roll off the production line. At the same time, an e-bike with Bosch CX was on the starting line with the chunky eOne-Eighty super enduro bike. In other words, a new motor supplier.

Elsewhere, however, the eOne-Sixty SL should pick up exactly where Merida's E-MTBs have always been strong. This is because the eOne-Sixty traditionally prioritises downhill fun and good handling. It is therefore somewhat surprising that the Taiwanese manufacturer is only now jumping on the light trend, where these virtues can score particularly well.

The facts about the Merida eOne-Sixty SL 8000

• Motor: Bosch Performance SX, 55 Nm max. torque
• Battery: 400 Wh (permanently installed)
• Frame material: Carbon
• Suspension travel: 160 / 160 mm
• Wheel size: 29 inch (option for small rear wheel)
• Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Price: 8499 Euro
• Weight: 20.19 kg (test bike in size L, EMTB measurement)
• Max. System weight: 140 kg
• Guarantee: for life

In the video: BIKE checks out the eOne-Sixty SL 8000

The electric drive: lively SX power

The Performance SX from Bosch is very powerful by light standards. However, it only releases its full power at very high pedalling frequencies. The drive is particularly dynamic, as the motor reacts extremely sensitively and lively to the rider's pedalling impulse.

HERE is the detailed test of the Bosch Performance SX!

The unit is powered by the compact Compact Tube battery with 400 watt hours. It is permanently installed in the down tube and cannot be removed for charging or changing on tour. As with most light bikes, the only option for more flexibility is the range extender. Bosch offers an extra 250 watt hours as a compact package for the bottle cage mount.

Border crosser: Enduro or All Mountain?

The chassis of the eOne-Sixty SL is less clear-cut than the "Light" drive category: 160 millimetres of travel at the front and rear, 29er wheels and a long and slack geometry are aimed at the enduro corner. When it comes to the equipment, however, the downhill card is not consistently drawn in all registers: 36 mm forks, no very thick shocks à la Rockshox Vivid and Fox X2, as well as tyres with the only moderately robust Exo+ carcass.

Advantage: The eOne-Sixty SL remains somewhat lighter than most full-throttle enduro bikes with a light drive (Click here to test the hot light enduro bikes Trek Slash+ and YT Decoy SN!). Our test bike, the second most expensive model eOne-Sixty SL 8000, weighs in at 20.2 kilos. This is a far cry from the record weights of some lighter trail e-bikes.

The reason for the rather high weight is not only the fully trail-compatible equipment but also the frame, which has not been trimmed for ultimate lightweight construction. The developers claim a weight of 2.9 kilos. That is significantly more than some of the competition, such as a Orbea Rise Ma Canyon Spectral:Onfly or a Cube AMS Hybrid One44.

This is despite the fact that Merida is the only one of these brands to use a weight-optimised suspension design with flexing seat stays. This means that there is no additional joint between the seat stays and chainstays. On the other hand, the chassis is approved for ASTM category 4 with a maximum system weight of 140 kilos. This creates confidence and also opens the way for heavier riders.

The geometry

The chassis of the new eOne-Sixty SL has an aggressive design. A long reach, slack head angle and moderately long chainstays result in a generous wheelbase. This favours a smooth ride and allows the bike to glide safely and purposefully over the trail. Due to the steep seat angle, the riding position is rather compact. The climbing characteristics are impressive. The low stack, which positions the steering centre low, is striking.

BIKE measurements at a glance (frame size L)

• Seat tube length: 442 mm
• Wheelbase: 1285 mm
• Reach: 482 mm
• Stack: 631 mm
• Steering angle: 63.7 degrees
• Seat angle: 77.3 degrees
• Chainstay length: 449 mm

The features of the Merida eOne-Sixty SL 8000

The Merida eOne-Sixty SL 8000 is available for 8499 euros, but is not yet the top model in the range. Accordingly, there is still room for improvement in terms of equipment. You will look in vain for carbon parts, as well as top-quality suspension.

However, the Rockshox Lyrik Select+ already has the top damping technology of the Ultimate series on board. The Sram GX Transmission and the 1700 wheels from DT Swiss also keep up with their high-end counterparts in terms of functionality. Sram's affordable BD8 brakes, on the other hand, fail to impress in a high-end context.

• Fork / shock: Rockshox Lyrik Select+ / Superdeluxe Select+
• Gear system: Sram GX Eagle Transmission
• Brakes: Sram DB8
• Wheels: DT Swiss HX 1700
• Tyres: Maxxis Assegai Maxxgrip / DHR II Exo+, 29 x 2.4"
• Seatpost / Stroke: Merida Comp TR II / 200 mm
• Special features: Mini tool on the saddle, tube mount, 27.5 mm rear wheel possible

The competition sometimes offers significantly more glamour and bling-bling factor for 8500 euros. Merida plays in the same league as high-end brands such as Specialized, Trek and Santa Cruz. But which parameters characterise the bike in practical use?

Practical test: How the Merida eOne-Sixty SL 8000

The progressive geometry is immediately noticeable when you take a seat on the eOne-Sixty SL. The steep seat angle positions the rider far forward. Despite the long reach, the riding position is compact. The low front end puts additional pressure on the front wheel. This pays off on steep climbs. Here, the front wheel almost sticks to the ground and the bike follows steering movements very precisely. The long chainstays further emphasise this effect. For a bike in the light category, the Merida climbs excellently.

>> Parts in danger: seat angle correction, helmet & rain jacket in the test

The lively, powerful thrust of the Bosch SX also helps. As long as you can keep the cadence high on the climb, you can easily go up metre by metre. Uphill flow? Check! In the light bike segment, you will hardly find a more powerful climber than the eOne-Sixty SL. On longer flat sections, however, the extreme riding position shows its downside. There is a lot of pressure on the wrists, which doesn't exactly promote comfort.

The eOne-Sixty SL downhill

The long geometry also leaves its mark on the bike downhill. Long wheelbase, slack steering angle: the Merida feels comfortable at high speeds. Thanks to the equally long rear end, the handling is well-balanced and good-natured. Even without an overly active riding style, the front wheel gets plenty of pressure, supported by the low steering centre. If things get steep and rough, a higher front could provide even more safety. Even with all the spacers under the stem, the handlebar sits rather low. More rise can help here.

Otherwise, the bike feels more at home on varied trail terrain than on really nasty enduro and downhill tracks. The suspension scores with pleasant support and decent traction on the trail. However, when the bumps get bigger, it can't keep up with the swallowing pleasure of full-blown enduro bikes.

Full-grown light enduro bikes, like the two duelists from Trek and YT (test here!) for example, convey a much more enduro feeling. On the other hand, the Merida remains somewhat more direct in its handling and offers more feedback on flowing trails. Those who are not primarily travelling on really steep and rough trails will benefit from the livelier handling.

So is the Merida eOne-Sixty SL enduro or all-mountain? For our taste, the light bike hits the middle ground. It's made for trails that can be more challenging. Pleasant: The bike remains remarkably quiet both uphill and downhill, the rattling of the SX motor is discreet.

BIKE rating of the Merida eOne-Sixty SL 8000

Strengths

• Balanced handling
• High driving safety
• Strong uphill
• Wide range of applications
• Harmonious detailed solutions and good workmanship

Weaknesses

• Permanently installed battery
• Moderate equipment
• no record weight

The BIKE verdict on the Merida eOne-Sixty SL 8000

The Merida eOne-Sixty SL is a balanced and harmonious light e-bike that has no real weaknesses. It strikes the happy medium between enduro and all-mountain and is suitable for many types of rider. Weight and equipment are not very glamorous compared to the price. That doesn't stop the bike from being a lot of fun on the trail. The workmanship and some individual detail solutions are top. - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief BIKE