Merida eOne-Eighty: Shuttle included - thanks to the new Bosch CX motor!
Florentin Vesenbeckh
· 25.10.2024
Merida shows a clear edge with the eOne-Eighty. An e-mountainbike with full bike park approval and ASTM category 5 - you don't often find that on the market. The new gravity e-bike has both up its sleeve. 180 millimetres of suspension travel - there has never been so much travel on an e-bike from Merida. On top of this, a mullet set-up and a robust aluminium chassis should make the new bike the ultimate gravity bike. And thanks to the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, the shuttle is virtually included.
To ensure that the downhill fun lasts, there are thick suspension elements and corresponding parts in addition to the robust frame. Of course, none of this is possible in diet mode. At around 27 kilos, the Merida eOne-Eighty is one of the heavyweights among e-mountainbikes. The geometry was designed to be moderate in terms of range of use and suspension travel. This means that the bike is not intended to be a clumsy hulk, but to provide a big grin on difficult descents.
More big bikes with massive suspension travel and integrated shuttle:
The facts about the Merida eOne-Eighty
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 800 (Powertube 600 on the entry-level model)
- Suspension travel: 180 / 180 mm
- Wheel size: 29 / 27.5 inch
- Frame material: aluminium
- Terrain category/approval: ASTM 5
- Weight: around 27 kg (manufacturer's specification)
- Prices: Three models between 4999 and 7499 euros
Motor and battery in the Merida eOne-Eighty
For many years, Merida e-bikes ran exclusively with Shimano motors. Alongside the eOne-Sixty SL, the Merida eOne-Eighty is the second e-MTB that is now powered by Bosch. The new Performance Line CX motor provides powerful thrust and excellent modulation for relaxed climbing, even on steep hills. Pleasant: In the eOne-Eighty, the motor was extremely quiet. In our test bike, it was even quieter than we had realised with various other bikes with the new Bosch CX in our first big test have experienced.
The bike also has an enormous range. With the 800 power tube in the down tube, you can rack up plenty of metres. Especially as the battery can be changed quickly and easily. What's more, the Power More 250 can also be installed as an option. With the range extender, a total of 1050 watt hours fit on the bike. Too bad: On our test bike, the battery made a distinctive rattling noise on rough descents.
The geometry of the Merida eOne-Eighty
The geometry is not as extreme as the bike's extreme design and generous suspension travel would suggest. Compared to the new eOne-Sixty SL light bike, the reach and wheelbase are even slightly shorter and the steering angle is steeper at 64.5 degrees. The moderate values are intended to keep the bike fun to ride and manoeuvrable. In addition, there are compact 435 chainstays. On paper, the stack is extremely high.
With five sizes, there is a wide choice. Thanks to the very short seat tubes, the rider should also be able to choose the frame better according to length. And thus adapt the geometry to their personal preferences. For example, S does not stand for "small", but for "short". And L for "long" instead of "large". The choice of size should therefore be based more on length. Thanks to the long telescopic seatposts with adjustable stroke, this concept works perfectly for Merida.
The Merida eOne-Eighty on the trail
On the trail, it quickly becomes clear that the Merida big bike is underchallenged on flat, tame trails. Here you can feel the high weight and the massive suspension travel also tends to get in the way of agile handling. The more gravity pulls on the eOne-Eighty, the more fun it becomes. Whether it's a rough downhill or a jumpline with berms, the bike's integrated riding position and potent suspension offer a lot of riding confidence. The character is more reminiscent of a freerider than a race enduro bike.
On descents, you are low on the bike, which gives you a lot of security and makes handling in corners very confident. In technical or rough terrain, however, you have to expect bumps in the motor area or on the cranks. This applies both uphill and downhill. Top: The Bosch motor in the eOne-Eighty is super quiet. Even downhill, the Merida remains really quiet for a long time. However, our test bike rattled noticeably from the down tube on really rough bumps. A phenomenon that is unfortunately more common on bikes with classic battery removal and battery lock.
The rear suspension is well tuned. This is because the bike does not bog down in its massive travel, but provides pleasant support. The rear only releases its full travel when it rumbles significantly harder.
Models and prices of the Merida eOne-Eighty
The new E-freerider is available in three equipment variants between 4999 and 7499 euros. According to Merida, the models should not differ greatly in terms of weight and land at around 27 kilos. The smaller Bosch Powertube 600 battery is fitted in the entry-level model, while all other bikes are supplied with an 800 battery as standard. However, both battery options are optionally available for all frames.
Merida eOne-Eighty 400 - 4999 Euro
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 600
- Fork/shock: SR Suntour Aion 38X / Triair 2
- Gear system: Shimano Cues
- Brakes: Tektro Gemini
- Wheels: Shimano hubs, Merida rims
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai Exo+ Maxxgrip 29 x 2.5'' / Maxxis DHR II DD 27.5 x 2.4''
Merida eOne-Eighty 700 - 6499 Euro
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 800
- Fork/shock: Rockshox ZEB Select / Vivid Select
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle
- Brakes: Sram DB8 Stealth
- Wheels: Shimano hubs, Merida rims
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai Exo+ Maxxgrip 29 x 2.5'' / Maxxis DHR II DD 27.5 x 2.4''
Merida eOne-Eighty 900 - 7499 Euro
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 800
- Fork/shock: Rockshox ZEB Ultimate / Vivid Ultimate
- Gear system: Shimano XT
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheels: DT Swiss HFR 1700
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai Exo+ Maxxgrip 29 x 2.5'' / Maxxis DHR II DD 27.5 x 2.4''
The BIKE conclusion on the Merida eOne-Eighty
To enjoy the benefits of the Merida eOne-Eighty, you have to be explicitly aiming for fast and hard descents. On flat terrain, a lighter bike with less travel simply feels more manageable and fun. However, in the corresponding terrain, i.e. on hard enduro tracks, jumplines or bike park trails, the Freerider can impress with its full swallowing capacity, plenty of reserves and pleasant handling. Despite its very high weight. It also has a cultivated motor with plenty of range. - Florentin Vesenbeckh, BIKE Magazine
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
