MERIDA ONE-SIXTY 8000

£6,600 Taiwanese brand's most aggressive enduro bike to date

- Tom Marvin

Merida's refreshed ONE-SIXTY enduro bike is perhaps their most radical ever, with a fresh suspension layout and progressive geometry, plus a choice of carbon fibre or aluminium frames.

THE FRAME

The new ONE-SIXTY uses a 'flexstay' suspension system, where compliance built into the rear triangle replaces a rear pivot, saving weight and boosting stiffness. Merida alter the leverage ratio for each size, with larger bikes having a more progressive stroke (from six per cent on the smallest bike to 14 per cent on the largest), on the basis that they're likely to be ridden by heavier riders, or more aggressive ones who've sized-up to get a longer reach. In 29er form, the bike has 162mm of travel out back and comes with a 170mm fork, but if you run it with a 650b rear wheel (the smallest three sizes come with this set-up), travel increases to 171mm.

Reach figures are generous, ranging from 415mm to a monstrous 525mm. Stack heights don't grow at the same rate - Merida say riders sizing-up can then find front-end height becomes an issue, so they've left head tubes relatively short and taller riders can compensate by raising the bar height.