Test enduro MTBs at an entry-level price: Is € 2899 worth it for the Merida One-Sixty 500?
Max Fuchs
· 01.01.2026
For just 2899 euros, the Merida promises uncompromising enduro fun. Is the budget really enough for real trail action? We found out and tested the One-Sixty 500 against three other entry-level mountain bikes in the enduro category as well as a more expensive reference bike.
With 170 millimetres of travel at the front and a tiny bit more at the rear, the One-Sixty is the bike with the most travel in the test field. Only the Cube plays in the same league with its 170 mm rear suspension. The geometry is special, which is why we opted for frame size M in favour of better comparability. According to the manufacturer, the reach here is 470 millimetres and therefore close to our reference measurement of 475 millimetres. However, our test bench only certified the Merida to be 463 millimetres long. In combination with the super steep 78-degree seat angle, this results in an extremely compact riding position.
>> In the BIKE test of entry-level enduro mountain bikes: IThe Dartmoor Rocbird Enduro for 2699 Euro
The facts about the Merida One-Sixty 500
| Feature | details |
| Model | Merida One-Sixty 500 |
| Total weight | 17.21 kg (without pedals) |
| Spring travel f/h | 170 / 171 mm |
| Wheel size | 29" |
| Price | 2899 Euro |
| Frame material | Aluminium |
| Weight of wheels | 5972 g |
| Impeller inertia | 4297 kg × cm² |
This might also interest you:
Merida One-Sixty 500 - Equipment & Features
| Component | details |
| Fork / damper | RockShox Domain Gold / RockShox Super Deluxe |
| Circuit / bandwidth | Shimano Deore 1×12 / 510 % |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore 4-piston, 203/203 mm |
| Impellers | Merida Comp TR II |
| Tyres | Continental Kryptotal Fr/Re Enduro Soft 29 × 2.40 |
| Seat post / stroke | Merida Limotec / 170 mm |
| Max. system weight | 135 kg |
| Guarantee | For life |
| Special features | Mullet or 29-inch wheels possible via flipchip |
The right handling for everyone
We weren't entirely happy with this choice - but it shows how Merida thinks about its sizing system. While other manufacturers often restrict you in your choice of size due to the insertion depth or the maximum extension of the seatpost, Merida wants to give its customers more freedom: Depending on your preference, you can choose a size smaller or larger - the almost straight seat tube and the long telescopic seat posts make it possible.
Those who like it agile and playful will opt for the shorter reach, while those looking for a smoother ride will choose the larger frame. Merida calls this concept "Agilometre". Also exciting in this context: thanks to the flip chip, the One-Sixty can be trimmed for more playfulness with a 27.5-inch rear wheel - or ridden as smoothly as possible with 29-inch wheels.
Fast at the limit: The One-Sixty 500 on the trail
On flat terrain, the Merida effortlessly gets up to speed with its rather firm suspension. The good rolling Conti tyres do the rest. Active pedalling is a great way to maintain speed - the bike reacts light-footedly, directly and encourages you to play. Despite its generous suspension travel and high weight, the One-Sixty is so lively that it even wins the points in the playfulness category. Thanks to the short chainstays, manuals and bunny hops are also easy. In the rougher, steeper sections, the Merida can no longer hide its mediocre suspension quality. The rear suspension in particular transmits hard and fast hits directly to the rider. Support? Yes. A plush ride feel and traction? Not at all. On demanding trails, the bike reaches its limit surprisingly quickly.
On technical climbs, you benefit from the compact riding position, which puts a lot of pressure on the front wheel - control and freedom of movement for balancing movements included. On long flat sections, the front-heavy riding position shows its downside: there is too much pressure on the hands. The rear end pumps noticeably when pedalling and sitting down. A platform function would be sorely needed, but is missing.
BIKE review: The Merida One-Sixty in points
| Category | Subcategory | Value | Weighting / Note |
| Price | Price | 2899 € | - |
| Driving behaviour | Uphill - Riding behaviour | 4 | 8 % |
| Driving behaviour | Uphill - Efficiency chassis | 4,5 | 10 % |
| Driving behaviour | Play instinct | 1,5 | 7 % |
| Driving behaviour | Downhill - Riding behaviour | 3,5 | 20 % |
| Driving behaviour | Downhill - Chassis | 4,5 | 20 % |
| Driving behaviour | Driving behaviour grade | 3,68 | 65 % Total |
| Laboratory | Total weight | 5,25 | 6 % |
| Laboratory | Impeller inertia | 3,5 | 4 % |
| Laboratory | Note Laboratory | 4,55 | 10 % Total |
| Equipment | Equipment quality | 3,74 | 5 % |
| Equipment | Usability / added value | 2,75 | 5 % |
| Equipment | Transport volume bottle | 3 | 5 % |
| Equipment | Saddle retractability | 2 | 5 % |
| Equipment | Quality / Processing | 0,5 | 5 % |
| Equipment | Note Equipment | 2,40 | 25 % Total |
| Miscellaneous | Guarantee | for life | - |
| Miscellaneous | Service friendliness | medium | - |
| Miscellaneous | Frame rigidity (v/h) | 7.3 / 24.2 N/mm | - |
| Overall grade | BIKE grade | 3,45 | 100 % |
Footnote: 1 Serviceability: How well the frame is protected and how easy it is to service the bike. Frame stiffness: Lateral stiffness in N/mm separately for the front frame triangle including the fork (front) and the rear triangle (rear). 2 The BIKE grade is made up of practical impressions of the test riders and laboratory measurements. The grade is independent of price. Grading range: 0.5-5.5, analogue to the school grading system.
Conclusion from Laurin Lehner
In this test, the Merida is more of a lively all-mountain than a full-throttle enduro bike. Unfortunately, the bike cannot realise its full potential in this configuration with the low-cost suspension components. The only thing that remains in favour of the One-Sixty is its pronounced playfulness. However, the suspension is too stiff and not comfortable enough for the intended use.
Max Fuchs
Editor
