Merida eONE FORTY 9000

The lightweight, mid-travel eONE FORTY from Merida provides an extremely smooth and friendly all-around trail experience that's more about having a kickstand mount than kicking ass. The eONE FORTY and eONE SIXTY use the same chassis in a clever cost-cutting measure. The medium-sized eONE SIXTY frame is also labeled as the large eONE FORTY, resulting in a reduced reach (450mm on a large). However, the seat tube is short enough to allow you scaling up if you prefer a greater reach. When compared to its eONE SIXTY sister, the eONE FORTY features a 133mm stroke shock and 140mm travel fork, which reduces the ride height and steepens up angles. In all but the smallest sizes, there's still room for Shimano's largest 630Wh battery and a large bottle in the usual spot. Despite the short chainstays, a 27.5 x 2.8in rear tire is possible, while a 2.6in is usual.

The 9000 and 8000 models have a carbon-fiber front end and a large headstock with 'Thermo Gate' cooling vents that also serve as control line 'in'. To keep the front end tidy, the E8000 controller wires are routed through Merida's e-bike-specific stem and bars. Although the keel of the EP8 motor is entirely exposed, the battery has an alloy housing to aid cooling and efficiency, as well as a firm and soft protective coating on the exposed underside to ward off rock impacts. On most journeys, they had to dust and rinse the charging port on the flat top of the motor block before they could open it, but it's physically well protected by the two bridge sections for the lower shock mount.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Rear Travel: 133mm
• Frame material: NanoMatrix carbon front, hydroformed alloy rear
• Drive system: Shimano EP8/Shimano BT-E8036
• Wheel size: 29in front, 27.5in rear
  SRP: £7,250 / Not available in the US

REASONS TO BUY

• Low weight for a full-battery bike
• Stiff fork and mainframe
• Lively handling character
• Excellent wheels
• Super plush suspension

REASONS TO AVOID

• Shimano motor rattle
• Nervy in steeps and at speed
• Shock needs tweaking for harder riders

BUY NOW: merida-bikes.com/en/bike/archive/2193/eone-forty-9000