Battery, comfort, trail focus: how Merida’s One-Sixty 700 targets serious enduro riders

Edited by ad hoc news Flagship & Bestseller Desk. Reviewed before publication on 06/15/2026 at 10:44 AM ET. Details in the imprint.

With 170 mm of front travel, a mixed 29/27.5-inch wheel setup and an aluminum frame tuned for aggressive descending, Merida’s One-Sixty 700 sits in the heart of the brand’s enduro lineup and is positioned as a workhorse option for riders who want bike-park capability without paying carbon-frame prices. The current generation One-Sixty platform was overhauled around a new suspension layout and more progressive geometry, and the 700 build combines those frame changes with Shimano Deore/SLX drivetrain parts and four-piston brakes aimed at enthusiasts stepping up from entry-level rigs.

Merida One-Sixty 700: long-travel frame and geometry for modern enduro

The latest One-Sixty family is built around Merida’s new FAST kinematic four-bar suspension design, which is intended to give better small-bump sensitivity while still offering support deep in the travel for big hits and landings, and the 700 model uses the hydroformed aluminum version of this frame with 162 mm of rear-wheel travel matched to a 170 mm fork. According to the official Merida product information, the bike is designed around a mixed-wheel “mullet” concept, with a 29-inch front wheel for rollover and a 27.5-inch rear wheel for quicker turning and improved clearance on steep terrain. Merida’s product page details that the frame can also be configured as full 29er in some sizes via flip-chip and shock-stroke changes, but on the One-Sixty 700 the stock build is delivered as a mullet.

Geometry numbers reflect current enduro trends: the size large One-Sixty 700 runs a reach figure around 485 mm and a head angle of 64 degrees in the low setting, while chainstays are size-specific to keep weight balance consistent across the range. Merida also uses its “Agilometer” sizing approach, which focuses on reach instead of traditional seat-tube-based sizing, allowing riders to choose their preferred handling feel (more agile or more stable) at a given rider height. The frame includes internal cable routing, a threaded bottom bracket for easier maintenance, and in-frame storage in the down tube via a removable cover, allowing riders to stow tools or a tube without strapping them to the frame.

Suspension on the One-Sixty 700 pairs a RockShox Lyrik Select RC 170 mm fork with a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ air shock, both tuned for enduro use. Air springs front and rear make it easier for a wide range of riders to set sag and progression with a shock pump, while external rebound and compression adjustment let owners fine-tune feel for local terrain and riding style. Merida keeps the frame “mullet-ready” by using a linkage and kinematic that maintain consistent anti-squat and anti-rise values across wheel-size configurations, so the bike’s pedaling behavior does not dramatically change if owners experiment with different wheel setups.

On the drivetrain side, the One-Sixty 700 runs a 1x12 Shimano Deore/SLX mix with a 10-51-tooth cassette, giving a wide range for both steep climbs and high-speed sections without the weight or complexity of dual chainrings. A 4-piston Shimano Deore brake setup with 203 mm front and 180 mm rear rotors provides stopping power, and the bike rolls on Merida’s in-house aluminum enduro wheels wrapped in Maxxis Assegai and DHR II tires in MaxxGrip/MaxxTerra compounds depending on region. A Merida-branded dropper post sized appropriately to each frame size, along with a short stem and wide handlebar, round out the cockpit to support the long, low and slack ride posture intended for enduro racing and bike-park days.

Positioned as a mid-tier build above more basic One-Sixty specifications but below the carbon-framed 8000 and 10K models, the One-Sixty 700 uses robust but heavier components and alloy construction to hold price down while preserving the suspension performance and geometry of the top-end frames. Reviewers in European bike media have highlighted the frame’s planted descending character and supportive rear suspension, noting that the spec choices on the 700 trade some weight and refinement for durability and value, which can appeal to riders who prioritize reliability on rough trails over minimal weight for all-day pedaling.

In its home market of Taiwan and across key European regions such as Germany, Austria and the UK, the One-Sixty platform is a central part of Merida’s mountain bike portfolio, aiming at the growing segment of riders who split their time between alpine enduro trails and uplift-served bike parks. Retail pricing and component details vary by market, but in several European countries the One-Sixty 700 sits roughly in the middle of Merida’s enduro price band and is often featured by dealers as a step-up option for riders moving beyond trail bikes. An independent specification summary from the German-language platform MTB-News lists the One-Sixty 700 with a complete bike weight of around 16 kg in size large with tubes, although actual weight can vary with tire choice and tubeless setup. That same source describes the bike’s ride character as stable at speed yet still maneuverable on tighter, technical sections. MTB-News’ coverage of the latest One-Sixty platform also emphasizes the platform update as one of Merida’s most important mountain bike launches of recent years.

Merida, founded in 1972 by Ike Tseng and now one of Taiwan’s best-known bicycle manufacturers, has increasingly used long-travel models such as the One-Sixty to bolster its presence in high-margin performance categories alongside its volume business in commuter and entry-level bikes. The company reports that mountain bikes and e-mountain bikes together account for a significant share of its premium revenue mix, with the enduro segment benefiting from growing interest in bike-park tourism and amateur racing in Europe and Asia. A recent investor presentation highlighted the strategic role of high-end off-road bikes in supporting Merida’s brand perception and pricing power in Western markets. Merida’s investor relations materials underscore this focus on performance models as part of its long-term product strategy. Shares of Merida Industry Co., Ltd. (TW0009914002) closed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange at TWD 117.50 on 06/13/2026.

This article was a.i.-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without warranty; prices and availability may change at short notice. Not investment advice and not a buy or sell recommendation. Trading involves risk up to and including the total loss of invested capital.