1ST IMPRESSION
Merida is at least already ahead of the game in terms of sealing and user friendliness, using double seals and a bigger upper bearing for longevity here.
Somewhat more surprising is the own-brand alloy bar, not what you might expect on a £8k bike, especially next to the Shimano XTR brake levers squeezing powerful four-piston calipers and a snazzy electronic paddle shifter for the flawless SRAM X01 AXS gears.
HOW IT RIDES
Despite being derived from, and sharing a frame with, an enduro bike, the Oneforty feels like a real trail tamer. I used it for three days to compete in the megamileage/climbing Ex Enduro in Devon and got on great with it.
Plenty of test bikes start to reveal flaws and niggles with extended riding; the One-forty is one of a select few that kept getting better. Stages rolled by with consistently good results and I never seemed to make any big mistakes. That’s probably because I could confidently place the One-forty wherever I wanted to on the trail and at a moment’s notice. As such, there’s great balance between stability at speed and nimbleness through tight, twisty singletrack. It’s also really fast-rolling on flatter, jagged ground as it doesn’t get snagged on square-edge hits.
This saves energy, as does the way smuggling crank turns in maintains pace and urgency without the suspension absorbing that energy.
It’s also exceptionally efficient uphill, maintaining shape and stability under high pedal loads. Each hard pedal stroke drives the bike forward, and with continuous traction at the rear tyre, it never feels stuttery under power. In fact, only Scott’s Spark and Genius spring to mind as recent rivals that I’ve ridden with as much urgency and efficiency as this.
With the steep 78° seat tube angle and 10mm of lay-back on the post, you’re in a balanced position without having to inch forwards to the nose of the saddle on the steepest sections, but it’s not so steep as to impact pedalling position on flatter terrain, and never gives you the feeling that your hips are too forward of the BB, like on some bikes. So ignore the 80° seat tube angle listed on Merida’s geometry chart.
On this pricier £10k version, the stiff Reynolds carbon wheels give the illusion of the rear suspension not being the most sensitive at damping vibrations from small rocks and webs of roots, but I switched out to alloy wheels from a cheaper model as an experiment and the bike became noticeably smoother and less edgy.
There’s a stable and supportive feel to the suspension (I’d argue the previous generation Merida had ‘floatier’ suspension and slightly more grip and hyperactive tracking downhill), but this new One-forty is rapid across the ground and dips and pops through turns with ease, so you can carve and cut berms without getting ‘stood up’ mid-corner like on some other rigs that exhibit the same degree of efficiency. Also, it’s never too fatiguing on your hands or legs even when working the bike through continuously rough sections of trail.
Combine the great suspension with the heavy dose of stability, thanks to the stretched geometry, and a head angle that’s not so overly slack, and the Merida One-forty maintains a nimble and easyto-steer feel for a dynamic and engaging ride. Ultimately, Merida’s new One-forty is thoroughly up-to-date, gets on with the job without fuss, and balances all the traits I want from a versatile modern trail bike.
HIGHS
BB height Chainstay Front centre Wheelbase Seat tube Down tube Top tube Reach
Consummate all-rounder that’s a fantastic climber. Smooth, efficient and fast across the ground and very stable at speed. Category 5 frame is rated for bike park or even DH use.
LOWS
Shock tune on Fox DPS shock lacks a smidge of midstroke support. Reynolds Black Label carbon wheels are a bit sharp and stiff. Adjustable dropper post adjuster ‘box’ can occasionally catch on your thighs. At 14kg, it’s not as light as you might expect for an £8k trail bike.