I was actually hoping for more of a smile at the start of our relationship. However, the relationship between the Merida eSpresso 700 EQ Lady and myself began with a cryptic error message: "W013", the display told me and refused to start the motor. Neither the display nor the operating instructions showed me what to do about "W013". It was only in the depths of the Shimano website that I found a clue: apparently the system had "not successfully completed initialisation of the torque sensor".
To do this, you have to take your foot off the pedal, take the pressure off the crank and switch the system off and on again after about 30 seconds. No problem - what you don't do for a harmonious co-operation! The somewhat bitchy request to "initialise the torque sensor" came up again and again over the next 2,000 test kilometres. But I learnt to forgive, because otherwise we got along really well: Merida's E-Ross is a good-natured companion. I mainly used the bike for trips to the riding centre, to work appointments or for short bike rides. The riding position and comfort are consistently pleasant.
Neither bumpy cycle paths nor kerbs transmit rough impacts to the saddle or handlebars. The Merida is very stable on the road, and I still felt safe going downhill even at 50 kilometres per hour - also thanks to the hydraulic disc brakes and the brake levers and handlebar grips that are suitable for women's hands. The wide Conti tyres felt confident on asphalt. On damp earth or gravel they lacked a bit of tread for my taste. The gears proved to be a completely new experience: Merida has installed an automatic five-speed hub from Shimano to match the comfort orientation.
I found the fully automatic driving mode quite irritating at first. It orientated itself to the pedalling speed and shifted into first gear at every traffic light stop. It was a bit annoying - until I found out that you can define the lowest starting gear yourself. I then set third gear for starting off. Alternatively, the five gears can also be easily shifted manually using a button.
Uli Frieß, MYBIKE technical editor:
Start-up and sensor problems with pedelec drives can usually be rectified by the specialist dealer with an update. Insufficient rubber protective caps for charging sockets are a cross-brand annoyance. Manufacturers are therefore increasingly installing more stable plastic covers. The highlight of the Merida is the electromechanical automatic hub. It withstood the test distance flawlessly.
Slim uphill
The Merida was my first e-bike. And it is one that I also liked the look of because of its slim design. The first thing that lets you know it's a pedelec is the sound: the motor hums audibly. When riding uphill, I always chose the highest support level - a great thing, because perhaps the most beautiful panoramic mountain in our area is a slog without the motor. On flat terrain, the Merida can be ridden with little resistance even without motor assistance, and I rarely had to push the almost 26-kilo bike.
If it was still necessary, the push button on the drive helped. By the end of our temporary relationship, I had long since got used to the little quirk in the electronics when a piece of mechanics broke down. I always charged the battery via the integrated charging socket without removing it. At first, the protective cap could no longer be closed, and after around 1,700 kilometres it tore off. Since then, a waterproof adhesive tape has protected the socket from dirt and moisture. Nevertheless, we parted amicably.
You can read the full test report of the Merida eSpresso 700 EQ Lady in MYBIKE 4/2021.
