CLOSE THE GATE! Merida announces new eOne-Sixty SL and eOne-Eighty electric mountain bikes

The new Merida EOne-Sixty SL MTB

Merida marks a new addition to the lightweight e-bike market with the launch of the new eOne-Sixty SL. Rolling on a Bosch Performance Line SX drive unit, the 160mm-framed travel bike offers an all-mountain experience in a lightweight package.

The eOne-Sixty SL represents a shift to enduro-focused geometry and handling, in a lighter and smaller package with a Bosch Performance Line SX engine that allows the bike to be 3.5kg lighter than Merida's lightest e-bike.

For mullet fans, the eOne-Sixty SL is adjustable to run a full 29er or 29”/27.5” setup, with FLIP CHIP integrated seatstays. The eOne-Sixty SL retains some of the key features of the One-Sixty, including adaptive seating technology and a modified measurement range. Similar to the new Big trail, updated in this version, the frame has been created with a very short seat tube, which allows for a low stance and the ability to use a long post.

As a lightweight e-bike, riding position is important, and the eOne-Sixty SL packs all the right numbers: a slack 64 degree head tube angle married to a steep 78.5 degree seat tube angle, making long rides and hill lovers comfortable. on the climb, while maintaining stability and skill on the descent.

But what about the spec? The eOne-Sixty SL features similarities in its suspension kinematics to the One-Sixty, boasting 160mm of travel mated to a 160mm fork, while the constant leverage ratio means the eOne-Sixty SL is coil-shock compatible.

The Bosch Performance Line SX fits seamlessly into the eOne-Sixty lines, with a non-removable, integrated 400Wh Compact PowerTube, which can be upgraded with a PowerMore 250Wh battery that extends into the bottle cage area. The eOne-Sixty SL uses Bosch's integrated Smart Controller on the top tube alongside a wireless remote on the handle bar for a neat look, and the option of a Purion 400 display. For a deeper dive into how the Bosch Performance Line SX fares, check out our review in this application.

READ: Inside the Bosch Flow App

A little deeper into the range, the eOne-Sixty SL will be released in three models, with one color per model, with five sizes from XShort to XLong.

eOne-Sixty SL 10k Silk Anaconda Green $16,999

• Fox Float 36 Factory and Float X Factory
• SRAM Maven Ultimate Brakes
• SRAM XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain
• Approximate weight 19.5kg

eOne-Sixty SL 8000 Gunmetal Gray $11,999

• RockShox Lyric Select+ and Super Deluxe Select+
• SRAM DB8 Stealth brakes
• SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain
• Approximate weight 20.3kg

Merida eOne-Sixty SL 6000 Silk River Clay $9,499

• Marzocchi Z1 and bomb
• Shimano Deore brakes
• Shimano Deore drivetrain
• Approximate weight 20.8kg

We're excited to get our hands on this lightweight beast. Having recently ridden and reviewed Bosch's Performance Line SX motor on a 140mm bike, we can't wait to climb that travel to enjoy the descent, in a lightweight 'pedalling friendly' environment.

New Merida at One-Eighty MTB

For those of you who aren't sold on the lightweight e-bike boom, or need a more aggressive option for big hits and gnarly runs, Merida has also released the new eOne-Eighty. Keeping it a Bosch story, the eOne-Eighty is Merida's longest-running e-bike, with a new generation Bosch Performance Line CX engine, in a massive 180mm package on a 6061-alloy mullet-only frame .

READ: How to ride your E-Bike

For those who want to lock down the big hits, or those who spend more time in the air than on the road, the eOne-Eighty may be your best option. The eOne-Eighty is compatible with three crowns, but currently comes with single crown forks.

The new Bosch Performance Line CX engine has a large 800Wh battery, and is paired with a PowerMore 250Wh range extender for an epic day on the trails.

Perfect for big hits, the bike has a 64.5-degree head tube angle with a 78.5-degree seat tube angle, almost mirroring the bike's little sister, the eOne-Sixty SL.

Other good features to mention include the Acros Block Lock headset to avoid handlebar/top tube misalignment, fitted SRAM UDG, 220mm rotor front (and matching 220mm rotor rear) and Trail Mount accessory mount and multitool included a seat.

From the eOne-Sixty SL, the eOne-Eighty adds a pivot point to the seat for flexible seating. Merida reports that this system reduces the side load on the shock and saves weight and complexity. Despite this being a heavy-hitting rig, Merida offers sizeable kinematics for size progression, ensuring that both a 50kg whippet and a 120kg clydesdale can both get the most out of the eOne-Eighty. The bike has a weight limit of 140kg. The eOne-Eighty can handle coil shocks.

The eOne-Eighty is offered in three sizes from Short to XLong and in three models, with one color per model.

eOne-Eighty 900 Anaconda Green $10,499

• RockShox Zeb Ultimate and Vivid Ultimate
• Shimano XT Brakes and Drivetrain
• DT Swiss HF 700 Wheelset
• Approximate weight 27.2kg

eOne-Eighty 700 Gunmetal Gray $9,199

• RockShox Zeb and Vivid Select
• SRAM DB8 Stealth Brakes and GX/NX drivetrain
• MERIDA EXPERT TR II rims with Shimano TC500 hubs
• Approximate weight is 27kg

at One-Eighty 500 River Clay $8,499

• RockShox Zeb and Vivid
• Tektro Gemini M535 Brakes with Shimano Cues Drivetrain
• MERIDA EXPERT TR II rims with Shimano TC500 hubs
• Approximate weight is 27kg