2023 Merida

ONE-SIXTY 10K

The One-Sixty is Merida’s recently updated enduro bike. Using the very same frame as the One-Forty, it takes all of that goodness but simply ups the travel, unlocking the frame’s hidden potential and creating an absolute ripper that’s nothing short of capable. While it’s mega proficient downhill, the One-Sixty 500 is equally as impressive when it comes to cranking back up, all while delivering some serious bang for the buck and engaging yet forgiving trail dynamics. Not only is it one of the best mountain bikes on the market, it’s a very solid stepping stone into enduro racing.

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The Merida One-Sixty FR was launched at September’s EX Enduro in Devon, so our first ride testing and evaluation was carried out on terrain in and around the event with an uplift day in the local area beforehand. It’s familiar testing ground for us and terrain where we’ve previously evaluated the best enduro mountain bikes. With a coil rear shock and a 180mm travel fork, this new Merida is designed to handle new school machine-built jump and berm trails that have increasingly popped up over recent years. It’s targeted at progressive riders taking their riding to the next level as much as younger rippers on a budget looking for a tough durable bike for enduro, DH or uplift laps. Keeping an eye on a lower price point means, unlike the regular Merida One-Sixty trail bike, there is no carbon fibre option. The One-Sixty FR is only available with an aluminium frame, across two different models, topping out at £3.5k on this DVO suspension-clad 600 version. Frame Merida’s basic concept was to bring a tougher, more affordable bike that can be hammered in bike parks or push-to-the-top jumpy DH spots – or even become part of rental fleets in uplift destinations. Its frame shares the updated shape and geometry of the current Merida One-Forty and One-Sixty platforms. The FR carries over Merida’s ‘Agilometer’ geometry philosophy, which (like plenty of other sensible brands) allows riders to choose size based on frame length/reach, rather than seat tube height. Smaller riders can opt for a longer frame to taste and not get penalised by the saddle or top tube getting in the way. Taller riders can benefit too and can run one of the latest-generation dropper posts like Merida’s Team TR 2 here that is infinitely adjustable up to 230mm to achieve the desired saddle height. One thing that’s slightly at odds with Merida’s sizing philosophy though and may affect a small number of riders is the size-specific tuning on the Fast Link, because while it’s easy enough to reduce spring rate for lighter/shorter riders on longer bikes, there will always be slightly more progression in the suspension than on the smaller frame sizes. Merida’s five frame sizes see reach measurement extend all the way from 409mm in XShort up to 519mm in XLong. The chainstay is semi size-specific too, with 434mm in the smaller three sizes growing to 437.5mm in the longest two. There’s a typical-for-this-category 63.5mm head angle and a bottom bracket drop of just 2mm, although this didn’t feel high while riding to me. Smaller details include a removable 4/6mm Allen key in the rear axle and a removable ‘service port’ on the bottom of the BB that makes internal dropper routing much less painful. One-Sixty FR frames use an easy to service BSA threaded bottom bracket and neat features include chunky frame protection and a rear mud guard. The best full-suspension mountain bikes: reviewed by experts Seeing as the FR is primarily gravity focused, it’s no bad thing the alloy …Continue reading »

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The FR is aimed at park rats and rental fleets, with mixed wheels, more travel and burlier components.

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