MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL – In our big 2025 trail bike comparison test

Fresh out of the factory, the brand-new MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL takes on the established heavyweights of its segment in our 2025 trail bike test. With 160 mm of travel front and rear, a 55 Nm Bosch SX motor, and a 400 Wh battery, it’s the longest-travel competitor in this test field. But can the new-kid-in-town hold its own against the seasoned competition on the trails?

Launched in October 2024, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL takes on the market as a premium Light eMTB with a top spec. While staying true to the popular design language the brand introduced back in 2022, it combines a FlexStay rear triangle with MERIDA’s proprietary Agilometer sizing concept, which arranges the frame sizes by length rather than height. Weighing in at 19.7 kg in size L, it ranks among the heaviest bikes in this test, alongside the Orbea Rise. Positioned in the premium segment, the 10K top-spec model retails at €10,999.

For an overview of the test field head to our “Best trail bike of 2025” comparison test – 16 of the most exciting trail bikes in our 2025 group test

The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL in detail

Like its analogue counterpart, the MERIDA ONE-SIXTY enduro bike, the new MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL relies on a Flex Stay rear triangle. This technology eliminates the need for an additional pivot between the chainstay and seat stay by using a specific shape and carefully layered, more compliant carbon. A generously sized chainstay protector prevents chain slap and paint chips, while a big TPU plate shields the downtube against impacts and stray rocks. A fender between the main frame and swingarm guards the sleek carbon frame, which boasts an elegant silver paint finish – nice touch!

The cables are routed neatly through the headset, ensuring a clean cockpit but making it harder to service the bike. Except for a bottle cage mount on the downtube, the frame lacks any sort of attachment points, meaning that you’ll have to stick your trail essentials into a backpack or hip pack. However, you won’t have to pack a multitool, because MERIDA integrates one under the saddle, allowing you to carry out basic trailside repairs. Unfortunately, under the saddle, the multi tool is constantly exposed to mud and dirt.

The spec of the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL

The suspension consists of a FOX 36 Float Factory fork and matching FOX Float X Factory shock. Both feature a fancy Kashima coating and deliver an excellent performance on the trail. While the new GRIP X damper doesn’t offer as many adjustment options as the GRIP X2 version, it still impresses on the trail. The spec is rounded off by a new FOX Transfer Factory dropper post, which offers a very generous 210 mm of travel.

At the heart of the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL lies a Bosch Performance Line SX motor, which delivers 55 Nm of torque and draws its power from a 400 Wh Bosch CompactTube battery integrated into the downtube. This can be expanded with a 250 Wh Bosch PowerMore range extender, which fits in the bottle cage and boosts the total capacity to 650 Wh. Overall, the integration of the motor is very tidy, but not as sleek and understated as the design of the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD. However, it still feels more refined than that of the Orbea Rise. The motor is paired with a wireless Bosch Mini Remote and Bosch System Controller, which is embedded in the top tube and relies on colored LEDs to display the battery charge status and current riding mode. The Bosch Purion 400 shows all other relevant data, like the speed and distance. SRAM MAVEN Ultimate brakes with 200 mm rotors front and rear ensure powerful, reliable deceleration.

Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM XX Eagle Transmission AXS drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur and delivers buttery-smooth shifting even under load. The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL rolls on a 29” FSA SC i30 carbon wheelset and MAXXIS tires, with an ASSEGAI in the soft MaxxGrip rubber compound at the front and Minion DHR II tires in the harder MaxxTerra compound at the rear, both in the relatively thin EXO+ casing. While this setup works well for casual riders, aggressive shredders might want to consider upgrading the rear tire to a sturdier version with Doubledown casing, which allows you to run lower air pressures and protects the expensive carbon rims in the process.

Tuning Tip:
– To tackle rough trails, aggressive riders should consider upgrading the rear tire to a sturdier one with Doubledown casing, which lasts longer and protects the expensive carbon rims.

The geometry of the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL

The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL is available in five sizes, XShort, Short, Mid, Long, and XLong. Merida use their modern sizing concept here, which arranges the frames by length rather than height. This allows you to size up for more stability or size down for a more agile character. The dropper post can be fully inserted into the short seat tube, ensuring plenty of freedom of movement. For our tests, we opted for a size Long, which proved to be a good fit for our test riders between 1.78 m and 1.85 m tall. The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL rolls out of the factory with 29” wheels, but can be converted into a mullet bike with a smaller 27.5” rear wheel using a flip chip in the shock mount. In this configuration, rear travel increases to 174 mm. That said, Merida recommend sticking with the 29er setup. With its 489 mm reach, our test bike in size L ranks among the longest in this test field.

With its premium FOX Factory suspension, robust SRAM XX Eagle Transmission AXS drivetrain, and powerful Bosch Performance Line SX motor, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL delivers a well-thought-out setup, meeting the highest expectations.

Size	XSHORT	SHORT	MID	LONG	XLONG
Seat Tube	400 mm	410 mm	425 mm	445 mm	465 mm
Top Tube	543 mm	567 mm	591 mm	616 mm	640 mm
Head Tube	100 mm	105 mm	110 mm	115 mm	120 mm
Head Angle	64°	64°	64°	64°	64°
Seat Angle	78.5°	78.5°	78.5°	78.5°	78.5°
Chainstay	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm
BB Drop	27.5 mm	27.5 mm	27.5 mm	27.5 mm	27.5 mm
Wheelbase	1202 mm	1228 mm	1253 mm	1278 mm	1303 mm
Reach	420 mm	443 mm	466 mm	489 mm	512 mm
Stack	611 mm	616 mm	620 mm	625 mm	629 mm

The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL on the trail.

With its steep seat angle, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL places you in a slightly front-heavy position, which, combined with the low front end and sensitive rear suspension, ensures excellent traction. Even on steep climbs, the front remains planted on the ground, making this Light eMTB a very strong climber. The Bosch Performance Line SX motor provides powerful yet natural assistance, though it still requires you to put in some effort. As a result, the MERIDA reaches the trailhead just ahead of the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD, with only the Orbea Rise surpassing it with its stronger motor support.

When gravity takes over and you drop into a trail, the eONE-SIXTY SL is stable but relatively sluggish, allowing you to negotiate corners with great precision but also feeling considerably less agile and lively than its direct competitors, like the Spectral:ONfly CF LTD and the Orbea Rise. The lethargic character is particularly noticeable in tight corners and quick direction changes, where the MERIDA struggles to keep up with the rest of the test field.

On rough trails, the stiff and low front end holds the eONE-SIXTY SL back, letting the rest of the test field pull ahead.

In rough terrain, the slightly heavier system weight plants the eONE-SIXTY SL firmly on the ground, putting it on par with the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD and Pivot Switchblade in terms of stability. The suspension responds sensitively to small bumps and provides plenty of reserves for hard landings. However, on long, rough descents, the stiff front end becomes apparent, offering less comfort and security, especially in steep sections where the low front end robs you of confidence. Here, the Orbea Rise capitalizes on its superior composure, pulling ahead along with analog bikes like the Transition Sentinel and Ibis Ripmo. Still, the eONE-SIXTY SL is plenty of fun on the trail, delivering moments of pure joy on the ride.

Who should take a closer look at the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL?

The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL is aimed at riders seeking powerful and reliable support from the Bosch Performance Line SX motor for the climbs. The supple suspension generates excellent traction, ensuring an excellent climbing performance. Downhill, the MERIDA shines on flowing, moderate trails, and singletracks, while at the same time negotiating rough terrain comfortably at a relaxed pace.

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Conclusions about the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL

Overall, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL presents itself as a well-specced eMTB with excellent climbing capabilities, a natural motor feel, and impressive traction. However, on rough trails, it loses some composure, which is mainly due to the stiff cockpit and low front end– and also lacks a bit of agility. Despite delivering solid fun on the trail, it falls slightly behind its direct, electric competitors.

For more information, visit merida.com

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The test field

For an overview of the test field head to our “Best trail bike of 2025” comparison test – 16 of the most exciting trail bikes in our 2025 group test

All bikes in test: Atherton S.150 | Canyon Spectral CF LTD | Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD | Ibis Ripmo XT | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL | Norco Optic C1 | Orbea Rise LT M-LTD | Pivot Switchblade Team X0 Transmission | RAAW Jibb V2 | Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 | Santa Cruz Bronson CC X0 AXS RSV | Santa Cruz Hightower CC X0 AXS RSV | Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper 15 | Transition Sentinel X0 AXS | Trek Top Fuel 9.8 GX AXS | YT JEFFSY CORE 5 CF

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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker