Merida eSpresso CC 675 EQ
£4,000 Shimano-powered bike offering rugged comfort
Weight 30.2kg (L) Frame Aluminium Fork Suntour Mobie A32, 75mm travel Gears Shimano Cues U6000 11-speed (38t, 11-50t) Brakes Shimano Mt410 hydraulic disc Wheels Merida Comp TK Aluminium Motor system Shimano Steps EP6 motor, 750Wh battery, Shimano SC-EN610 display unit, bar remote Finishing kit Merida Expert bar, CT stem, TK II saddle, 40mm-travel suspension seatpost, Maxxis Crossmark II 27.5x2.25in tyres
Merida’s eSpresso CC models are designed to take on towpaths and forest trails as well as streets, and the 675 EQ is top of this range. The hydroformed alloy frame has a hugely oversized singlespar design, and the step-through shape makes it easy to get on board. The upright ride position, with midwidth riser bar suit urban riding.
Shimano’s powerful Steps EP6 motor can deliver a massive 85Nm of torque while the large-capacity 750Wh battery can be removed for charging (using the same key as the frame-mounted rear-wheel lock).
The 1x11 gears offer a broad spread that feels closer to a MTB set-up than a road bike, but works
here, especially off road. Shimano’s hydraulic brakes, with big 180mm rotors, give lots of confidence-inspiring feel and ample stopping power.
The EQ in the name stands for ‘equipped’, and the eSpresso is certainly that. Tough, 2.25in-wide Maxxis Crossmark II 650b tyres with deepblocked tread give ample off-road bite, while reflective strips boost in-town visibility. Wide alloy mudguards and a chainguard help keep you clean and dry.
The Suntour fork has 75mm of travel while a suspension seatpost adds cushioning, as does the Merida saddle. Front and rear lights are powered by the bike’s battery.
There’s also a quality oversized rear rack, a chainstay-mounted kickstand and even an under-saddle multitool port.
The eSpresso is a brilliant bike to ride. The frame is well proportioned and the handling very stable. Chunky tyres take the edge off the acceleration on tarmac but, let’s face it, the eSpresso is designed to be a comfortable cruiser. A very smart (and small) bar-mounted remote is easy to use for controlling power modes and the available info is ample. The battery graphic is rather small though. The motor is fairly quiet and makes setting off easy, even on a steep hill, but you will get less assistance at higher speeds than with competitor systems. This one’s at its most rewarding when you’re putting in effort too.
I averaged around 50 miles, with a maximum of 81km including 858m ascent, and 79km with 735m ascent on a much cooler day. Those are good numbers for a bike of this type and heavy, 30kg weight. The battery recharge time was six hours 15 minutes.
Verdict A very comfortable, capable, well-equipped bike that enjoys escaping the urban sprawl
“Shimano’s EP6 motor can deliver a massive 85Nm of torque”