Flow MTB on ONE-FORTY: “fantastic example of a modern, do-it-all trail bike”

After testing our ONE-SIXTY, it was only natural to have the Flow Mountain Bike team put our ONE-FORTY through its paces.

So... what did they think?

In regards to geometry, handling and performance, “…the standout feature of the Merida One-Forty is its versatility. With similar geometry to the One-Sixty, it instils confidence on tight, steep and technical trails. However, the shorter travel platform gives it a stouter and more responsive feel, and that makes it great fun on more open flow trails where you can really throw it around."

"…Merida has found the sweet spot in designing a bike that’s plush enough to push hard but not at the expense of pedalling efficiency."

"The geometry of the Merida One-Forty makes it feel quite nimble and, combined with the low weight, contributes to the overall agility and fun factor."

"The longer reach and steep seat angle puts you in a great pedalling position when you’re going uphill."

“The geometry strikes a great balance, and I’ve found it to be comfortable for longer days in the saddle while still being playful when jibbing around on shorter rides."

The bike’s suspension was also a highlight, attracting more positive feedback:

"The Merida ONE-FORTY performs exceptionally well on flowy trails and terrain with a bit more pedalling involved. The supportive suspension and efficient pedalling performance gives it plenty of enthusiasm when you need to hustle, and it doesn’t suffer from excessive bobbing during out-of-the-saddle efforts."

"There’s excellent support from the suspension, and it pedals really well even with the shock’s compression lever in the Open position.

"Overall, I’ve found the suspension performance of the Merida ONE-FORTY to be quite impressive. The Flexstay design helps to reduce weight and it makes the back end simpler as there’s less pivots and bearings to worry about."

The bang-for-buck, value-for-money, performance component package was also of worthy mention, with the team noting that the ONE-FORTY 8000 “…offers a compelling package. With a full carbon frame, Fox Performance Elite suspension, high-end Race Face alloy wheels and the excellent Maxxis tyres...

...Merida has provided a solid lineup of quality components at a reasonable price point. This would be the spec level I would choose personally.”

The big rotors were also well liked: “I like that Merida has spec’d 203mm rotors front and rear, which is bigger than what you’ll find on most trail bikes, and they help to deliver an amazing amount of power."

What type of rider did they think the ONE-FORTY would suit?

"The Merida ONE-FORTY is a really versatile trail bike that will suit a broad range of riders and terrain. It’s a great choice for those who prioritise fun and manoeuvrability, and who want a playful bike for jibbing and messing around on."

But it all comes down to the all-important, overall verdict: "The new Merida ONE-FORTY is a fantastic example of a modern, do-it-all trail bike. It’s a calm and comfortable climber thanks to its efficient pedalling performance, uber-steep seat angle and respectable weight. It manages to balance this with plenty of grip and control on the descents, while being more agile and responsive than its bigger sibling."

"The result is a versatile trail bike that’s a whole lot of fun to ride whether you’re a new or experienced rider."

They also noted that the ONE-FORTY is a more playful, more responsive sibling of the ONE-SIXTY, but offering more balanced performance on a greater variety of trail types.

“It’s more efficient, and the steeper seat angle puts you in a better position on the climbs without compromising too much when the trail starts to point down. The lighter and faster-rolling tyres certainly contribute to its speedier quality on undulating terrain. If you’re looking for an all-round trail bike to take on long pedally rides in the hills, the ONE-FORTY is the obvious choice."

The Flow MTB team also did make a great point about the fact that both bikes use the same frame, so the possibilities are endless!

“You could even create something that sits in the middle. You could run the One-Forty as a mullet to increase rear travel to 151mm, and fit a 160mm air spring in the Fox 36."

Read the full review of the ONE-FORTY 8000 on Flow MTB or scroll down and watch the video review >

Check out all the tech features in the new ONE-FORTY range >

See the full ONE-FORTY lineup >

For availability, find your nearest MERIDA dealer >