After the "longest and most rigorous development and testing phase that a Merida model has ever undergone", the manufacturer is now presenting two new bikes in one fell swoop. It was 2019 when we presented the Merida One-Forty 800 awarded a GOOD have. With a view spoilt by the current models, the former model looks really outdated.
And already In 2017, we launched the Merida One-Sixty into battle with the Pivot Firebird. And now this: both 2023 models are available in the 10k, 8000, 6000, 700, 500 - the One-Forty is also available as a 400 - and various colours. The prices are between 2799 and 12,999 euros.
Merida One-Forty & One-Sixty 2023: Same but different
The two mountain bikes from Merida are deliberately presented at the same time, because they have some similarities - unlike Ghost with its Krawall brothers, however. Riot CF and Path Riot where the only difference is that one has a Fazua motor. The motto of the two Merida bikes could therefore be "Same but different" - hence a portrait of the two in tennis format:
Merida One-Sixty vs Merida One-Forty: Geometry, suspension travel and wheel size
The One-Forty has a 150 mm suspension fork and 143 mm rear travel, while the One-Sixty offers 170 mm front travel and 162 mm or 171 mm rear travel - depending on the rear wheel size. The One-Forty comes with two 29-inch wheels in all sizes, while its big brother comes with mullet tyres (27.5" rear, 29" front) in the sizes "Extra Short" to "Mid"; above that, a complete 29er setup. A flip chip ensures that the geometry remains the same regardless of the rear wheel size.
The chainstay length is also slightly shorter with the smaller wheel. This helps smaller riders with handling, but also benefits a more agile riding experience. However, the One-Forty can also be ridden with mixed wheel sizes, increasing the rear suspension travel to 153 mm.
About the angles: The seat angle of the Merida One-Sixty is 79° and the head angle is 64°. On the One-Forty, the head angle is 65° due to the shorter suspension travel, while the seat angle remains the same. Merida achieves this by cranking the seatpost by 10 mm compared to the straight seatpost on the One-Sixty.
What both bikes have in common is that they are available in both carbon (CF) and aluminium (LITE) versions. The frame weight of the carbon version is 2460 g in size M, while the aluminium version weighs 3660 g in size M (+/- 5 % in each case, according to the manufacturer). The complete bikes weigh between 14 kg (Merida One-Forty 10k) and 16.88 kg (400cc). The top model of the Merida One-Sixty 10k weighs in at 15.01 kg, the 500 model at 16.68 kg.
With the "Agilometre-size system", Merida always wants to offer the right size for all riding styles. similar to Ghosts Superfit.
- frames adapted to the size, especially in terms of reach and wheelbase, while the seat tube and head tube are only slightly modified
- short head tube allows flexibility in height
- The correct seat height is achieved for all frame sizes thanks to a straight seat tube and a Vario seat post
Merida One-Sixty vs. One-Forty: Equipment
The main differences between the two bikes are the suspension travel. The One-Sixty has a rear shock stroke of 65 mm and the One-Forty a stroke of 57.5 mm - both with a 230 mm shock. The 10k model uses a Rockshox Super Deluxe Flight Attendant (One-Sixty) or Fox Float DPS Factory (One-Forty) - the Rockshox Deluxe Select+ damper for the cheapest model.
The fork of the One-Sixty has 38 mm stanchions that offer 170 mm more travel and a stiffer chassis - in the top model, a Rockshox Zeb Flight Attendant. The One-Forty comes with a 150 mm suspension fork (except for the 400 with 140 mm) and 35-36 mm stanchions for all-mountain use. The 10k model here with a Fox 36 Float Factory.
The One-Sixty has more robust tyres: Maxxis Assegai MaxxGrip Exo+ at the front, Minion DHR II DD MaxxTerra at the rear. The Merida One-Forty runs on Maxxis Minion DHF MaxxGrip tyres with Exo casing at the front and Dissector MaxxTerra tyres with the harder Exo+ casing at the rear.
And to ensure that it not only moves forwards, but also provides sufficient negative acceleration, the Merida One-Sixty uses 200 mm brake discs at the front and rear and various quality levels of Shimano brakes. The One-Forty stops with 180 mm brake discs. Four-piston brakes are used on almost all models.
Selected Merida One-Sixty and One-Forty models will be from October 2022 will not go on sale until 2023, the entire model range from 2023.
Marc Strucken
Editor
