Our BIKE reader survey on the "Readers Most Wanted" test bikes already showed that the Merida One Forty is a very interesting bike for many. On paper, the all-mountain bike woos potential buyers with progressive geometry values and an extensive equipment package. This includes a telescopic seatpost with an adjustment range of up to 230 millimetres. This is also the basis for Merida's "Agilometre" sizing concept, which allows bikers to choose a frame size based not only on their body dimensions, but also on their riding style and preferences. Exciting details at every turn that should make the Merida One Forty 6000 a BIKE editor's long-term companion with a strong character.
Merida One Forty 6000: All mountain bike with the best price-performance ratio?
In the vote for the most desirable test bikes, the top model Merida One Forty 10K managed to capture the favour of the BIKE readers. At 13.96 kilos (BIKE measurement, size L) and a long, flat geometry, the premium all-mountain bike for 11,699 euros proved to be a capable all-rounder and was awarded the top rating of "Super". However, hardly any reader would spend that much money on a sports bike in everyday life. That's why we also asked an affordable aluminium version to take part in the all-mountain comparison test. At 3999 euros, the One Forty 700 is the best equipped bike with an aluminium frame in the Merida model range. Our test crew attested to the bike's very good downhill performance, but criticised the high total weight of 15.75 kilos (BIKE measurement, size M). A large part of the excess weight fell on the 3789 gram aluminium frame.
In theory, our Merida One Forty 6000 endurance test bike should therefore combine the best of both worlds: a lightweight carbon frame and a price that has remained low. At 5799 euros, it costs less than half of the top model, but has the same 2694 gram lightweight carbon frame. The fact that the laboratory scales still only stop at a total weight of 15.3 kilos (BIKE measurement, size L) is partly due to the fact that the One Forty 6000 carries a lot of practical small parts and partly due to the solid, functional but not exactly lightweight equipment.
Manufacturer's specifications for the Merida One Forty 6000
- Price: 5799 Euro
- Category: All Mountain Bike
- Front / rear suspension travel : 150 / 140 millimetres
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Handlebar width: 780 millimetres
- Stem length: 50 millimetres
BIKE measurements: Merida One Forty 6000
- Weight complete bike / frame (size L): 15.3 kilos / 2694 grams (without shock)
- Steering / seat angle: 65 / 79 degrees
- Reach / Stack: 502 / 618 millimetres
- Chainstays / wheelbase: 436 / 1267 millimetres
Concept of the Merida One Forty 6000
The carbon frame of the Taiwan MTB is absolutely contemporary. The cables are neatly routed internally through the headset into the inside of the frame. A service flap in the down tube not only helps with the internal cable routing, but also provides access to an internal storage compartment. The fully does without an additional bearing on the rear triangle and instead relies on a pivot point in the seat stay. The necessary manoeuvrability comes from the flex of the carbon material, which not only promises less weight but also less maintenance. Merida relies on the bolted BSA standard for the bottom bracket and allows a chain guide to be fitted via an optional adapter plate.
Merida's "Agilometer" sizing concept is special. The Taiwanese company relies on a geometry with long reach values but short seat tubes. To ensure that each frame size can be used by as many riders of different sizes as possible, Merida uses the Expert SL dropper post with up to 230 millimetres of travel. Using an external, hinged adjustment mechanism, the adjustment range can be continuously reduced from 230 to 30 millimetres. This means that the frame size can be selected based on the reach value rather than the seat tube length. If you like riding long bikes, go for a larger frame, reduce the travel of the dropper post and benefit from a smoother ride. If you prefer slightly shorter bikes, choose the smaller frame, maximise the travel of the seat post and get a more agile all-mountain bike.
It's fitting that the geometry of the Merida One Forty can also be adapted to a small 27.5-inch rear wheel via a flip chip. Merida thus gives us a wide choice of bike setups. Our long-term test fully comes in size L. For the 190 centimetre tall test editor, the 445 millimetre short seat tube would hardly be rideable with a normal dropper post. The 502-millimetre reach, on the other hand, is a good match for our body measurements. Thanks to the "Agilometer" sizing concept, the choice of the L-frame works well. In the maximum-length setting of the dropper post, the seat height fits perfectly.
Features of the Merida One Forty 6000
At the front of the Merida One Forty 6000, the fiery red Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork with 150 millimetres of travel immediately catches the eye. The all-mountain suspension fork with 36 millimetre stanchions is internally identical to the forks in the Fox 36 Performance range. At the rear, the Rockshox Deluxe damper without reservoir in the Select+ version. In terms of drivetrain, Merida equips the mid-range fully with Shimano SLX shifting components. Only the gear lever comes from the higher-quality XT series and should provide a crisper shifting feel. A 510 per cent gear range should also allow the mountain bike to climb steep ramps. The Shimano SLX series logo can also be found on the brakes. However, the One Forty 6000 is the four-piston version of the Japanese stoppers. Their calipers bite down on large 203 millimetre brake discs at the front and rear. On the cranks, Merida treats the bike to the Turbine crank a stylish aluminium model from Race Face.
On the 29-inch wheels, Merida combines Shimano SLX hubs with no-name rims from Jalco. With an internal width of 29 millimetres, this choice is well suited to the intended area of use, but unfortunately adds quite a bit of weight to the scales. Together with the large brake discs, the Shimano SLX cassette and the heavy tyres, the wheelset weighs 5120 grams - quite a lot. But the rear promises Maxxis Dissector tyres The 2.4-inch wide Maxxis Minion DHF has an extra strong Exo+ casing for high puncture resistance. Meanwhile, the 2.5-inch wide Maxxis Minion DHF at the front only comes with a single Exo casing. Another reason for the high wheel weight: Merida supplies the One Forty 6000 with heavy tubes. There is no tubeless rim tape on the affordable wheels, so this tuning measure would require some effort.
The Merida Expert SL seatpost is the centrepiece of the special geometry concept. Due to its length, however, it weighs just under a kilo including cable and remote - extremely heavy for a dropper post. The frame of the Merida One Forty is prepared to take an integrated eight-pin seatpost. However, due to their high price, the Taiwanese do not offer this equipment version on their complete bikes. According to the manufacturer, an upgrade would save around 30 per cent weight and retain the advantages of a long seatpost, but would also cost 450 euros. All in all, the equipment package of the endurance test bike looks quite harmonious. In view of the not exactly super-cheap price of 5800 euros, the SLX components won't cause bargain fever. But it's worth taking a second look, because the value of the Merida One Forty 6000 lies above all in the details.
The details of the Merida One Forty 6000
Merida has surpassed itself in its attention to detail with the One Forty series. Rarely has a bike with so many extras rolled into the BIKE test cellar. Their abundance not only explains the massive weight of the standard bike, but also the price of the equipment package, which shines more through functionality than exclusivity. On the one hand, there is the high-quality carbon frame with the aforementioned options in terms of size and riding characteristics. Obviously, Merida passes on some of the high development costs to the customer - a thoroughly justified approach. Rubber protectors with noise-reducing slats on the seat and chainstays protect the stylish frame. In addition, Merida provides it ex works with a down tube protector and exemplary large protective films: the entire rear triangle is masked.
A small chain guide prevents the drivetrain from dropping and a mini mudguard protects the frame from coarse dirt. The rear wheel axle lever is removable and contains an Allen key that fits the front and rear wheel axle and the lid of the storage compartment in the down tube. There is also a small multitool under the saddle. The storage compartment itself contains a tool bag with tubeless plugs, a mini pump and tyre levers. There is also a mounting point in front of the front shock mount, where a spare inner tube is held in place with Velcro. The complete bike also comes with a water bottle with Fidlock mount. This amount of accessories is already included in the purchase price of the Merida One Forty 6000.
The endurance test of the Merida One Forty 6000
As the personal long-term companion of a BIKE test editor, the Merida Fully will run through an entire bike season full of highlights. The test period started at the beginning of July 2023 and will extend into spring 2024. This means that the Merida One Forty 6000 will also have to face tough winter conditions full of rain, snow and mud. The new home of the endurance test candidate is on the edge of the Bavarian Forest. This means he can look forward to endurance trail laps and the odd visit to the Geißkopf bike park. His new home trails are long (the longest north of the Alps) and varied. The all-mountain bike will also have to put its climbing skills to the test on an everyday basis.
If necessary, small adjustments will be made to the equipment over time. To reduce the weight of the MTB, for example, an upgrade to a tubeless wheelset would be conceivable. Drive and suspension components as well as the in-house Merida seatpost should not be replaced if possible, but should run for the full test period. After thousands of kilometres and tens of thousands of metres of climbing and descending, we draw a conclusion on the durability of the carbon bike. This also includes the assessments from our in-house BIKE test laboratory on the condition of the bearings and wear parts.
A first ride impression of the Merida One Forty 6000
The first few kilometres on the Merida One Forty 6000 confirm what the BIKE tests of the other One Forty models have already shown. The riding position is sporty thanks to the long front triangle and the very steep seat angle. On rather flat tours, the 79 degree steep seat tube is almost too much of a good thing. Then there's a lot of pressure on the palms. The Merida prefers steep climbs. Here, the extreme seat tube angle scores points and manifests itself with a late-rising front end. The high weight is clearly noticeable on long laps - there is clearly potential for optimisation here. The One Forty climbs efficiently but slowly to the summit. Even on the descent, the pounds can't be ignored. Overall, the handling of the long all-mountain bike feels like a lot of MTB. Nevertheless, it is pleasantly nimble through tight corners - thanks to the short chainstays. In steep sections, the low standover height and the low saddle give you a lot of confidence. When things get really fast in the valley, the rider benefits from the long reach and high suspension travel reserves. Speaking of suspension: the One Forty is rather high in its travel and thus conveys a sporty, direct riding feel. However, small bumps are less well filtered out of the ground. At the beginning of the endurance test, the Merida can't prove to be a comfort miracle, but with an active riding style it makes you want to tackle technical challenges and steep trails uphill and downhill.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
