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LadylikeMerida eOne-Sixty 8000 in a practical test

Florentin Vesenbeckh

 · 06.12.2021

Ladylike: Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 in a practical testPhoto: Max Fuchs
Ladylike: Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 in a practical test
Do women need specific e-mountain bikes? No, women need bikes that fit. But these are rare for small body sizes. We found what we were looking for at Merida.

Whether women need special ladies' models has been hotly debated for years. One thing is undisputed: on average, women are significantly smaller than men. And suitable e-MTBs for short people are rare. According to statistics, around 45 per cent of all women in Western Europe are shorter than 165 cm. And it's pretty much at this size that the problems start when buying an e-MTB. Of course, young people and shorter men face the same challenge. And it is precisely for this group that we have taken a closer look at a bike that, on paper, is pretty much ideal for shorter people. The eOne-Sixty 8000 from Merida, a trail bike with 160/150 millimetres of travel.

What makes this unisex model ideal for this target group? Firstly, the small frame size: XS with a seat tube length of 40 centimetres. Only a few E-MTBs fulfil this basic requirement, as the installation space is limited by the motor and rear suspension. It is difficult to realise really small frame sizes. The next plus point: a short rear triangle. The chainstay length is one of the few geometry features of a bike that does not change with the frame size. This value is crucial for the riding characteristics of a bike. If a bike with 465-millimetre chainstays already feels cumbersome and unwieldy for a 190-cm man, how should it feel for a 160-centimetre person? At 440 millimetres, the rear triangle of the Meridas is one of the shortest on the market. Manoeuvrable, fun, uncomplicated - this is how the eOne-Sixty presented itself in many tests.

Partner for women: Merida eOne-Sixty 8000Photo: Max FuchsPartner for women: Merida eOne-Sixty 8000

Find out how much fun the Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 lady bike is off-road in our test. You can download the PDF with all the facts and lab results from EMTB 4/2021 as a PDF below the article.

The test costs 1.49 euros. Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in EMTB. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them - hundreds of thousands of euros every year.

How do you like this article?
Merida eOne-Sixty 8000: The front tyre provides a lot of security in demanding terrain. However, we doubt whether the super-thick DD carcass is necessary for 50 to 60 kg rider weight. There is potential for weight tuning on the bike.Photo: Max FuchsMerida eOne-Sixty 8000: The front tyre provides a lot of security in demanding terrain. However, we doubt whether the super-thick DD carcass is necessary for 50 to 60 kg rider weight. There is potential for weight tuning on the bike.Merida eOne-Sixty 8000: Even with frame size XS, a 600 ml water bottle fits in the bike. That's not a given.Photo: Max FuchsMerida eOne-Sixty 8000: Even with frame size XS, a 600 ml water bottle fits in the bike. That's not a given.

Downloads:

Merida eOne Sixty 8000 (pdf)

Florentin Vesenbeckh

Florentin Vesenbeckh has been on a mountain bike since he was ten years old. Even on his very first tour, he focussed on single trails - and even after more than 30 years in the saddle of an MTB, these are still the quintessence of biking for him. He spent his youth competing in various bike disciplines and later his cycling career was characterised by years as a riding technique coach. Professionally, the experienced test editor now focusses on e-mountainbikes. In recent years, the qualified sports scientist and trained journalist has tested over 300 bikes and more than 40 different motor systems in the laboratory and in practice.

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