I have done 3400Ks on a Merida E160 10K. Has the ep8. Been 100 percent reliable. I have had two Shimano relate problems that were either operator error--broken battery release, or 2 a broken control cable due to factory assembly of the internal routing of cable through the stem.
The biggest EP8...
you will need lower link hardware unless new shock is exactly same size. no hardware at the trunnion mount. Consider an EXT - they ship with two springs as standard where as most other brands have springs as an extra. I am trying myself to relate my air pressure to a coil spring rate.
They can be fiddly. But squeal is generally just miss alignment.. If I develop a howl or squeal it almost always goes with resetting the callipers.. also the Performance pads are quieter than Race
100 percent Magura MT7. But make sure you use the MRD-P rotors. I personally prefer the performance pad over the race. It might not last as long but I prefer the brake feel... but I dont see a lot of wet rides...mainly dust issues rather than moisture and grit
Hi. Just an update. Note posted in a while.
Done 3000ks....heres what I have found.
Merida E160 10k has pretty descent spec.... but I changed the XTR brakes to Magura MT7s. The Grips were changed to Bergtec Minnaars, the saddle went in the bin...pity about the tool.... I added a one up tool in...
Im finding with EP8 I am really reducing the torque. Its p[retty unnecessarily powerful especially in trail. Its currently 63Nm and Ill prob drop to 50
I suspect its a bit better with a tweaked trail. The Bosch probably doesn't last super long either when its under 20 percent in EMTB mode. Maybe Shimano are being a little cautious as to how low they are prepared to let things run, perhaps having a light attached alters the safety margins too?
haha indeed.
Main point of my post was to advise folk to dial back trail mode. Its deceptive in default setting. I think I will be able to almost double range in a low eco low trail configuration. Trail and track here are steep, no real forgiving climbs.
Hi
95KG and 1000-1200m with the full power trail mode. 2000m in the lowest trail mode.
Someone has said 10% more range for each 10kg lighter. An estimate rather than any empirical test
For those that are waiting or deciding here are a few observations after 300ks on my Merida E160 10K
Proiles are very cool....
but in the most powerful setup with everything turned up there isn't a jump in perceived power to Boot from Trail. The new Trail mode is more like the Bosch EMTB...