As the name suggests, the One Forty model is a long-travel tourer with 140 millimetres of travel at the front and rear. This is the All Mountain Plus category for demanding trails with plenty of travel reserves and maximum downhill fun. The smooth steering angle and short 75 mm stem are also in line with this character. The too narrow handlebar and the rather high bottom bracket don't fit into the potent picture. However, the Merida's biggest shortcoming is the X-Fusion shock.
In our test bike, the O2 RL disappointed with extremely high breakaway torque, little sensitivity and therefore less traction on the rear wheel. The suspension travel measured in the laboratory is not really noticeable in practice. This costs valuable points both uphill and downhill. The 72 mm seat tube angle in combination with a cranked seat post puts a lot of weight on the rear wheel. For better climbing characteristics, a straight seatpost makes more sense. With less powerful Hayes brakes, Merida tyres and cheap suspension elements, the equipment is rather meagre.
PLUS Smooth running geometry
MINUS Offset seat post, handlebars too narrow, damper function
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