2021 e-one bikes coming out... New E160 300S

sparked

Active member
Jun 6, 2020
144
170
Melbourne
Looks like the new eONE-SIXTY 300S has been released...

I contacted Merida a week or so ago about new eONE-TWENTYs and was told that they'd be bringing out a eONE-FORTY 400S - I'm very interested in this bike as I dont need something for jumps or downhill techy stuff. Just more for comfort on XC trails and lots of green rated tracks.

New bike releases are so exciting!

Thoughts on the new color? It might be one of those that you need to see in the metal!


eONE-SIXTY_300_S_sndblu_MY2021.tif
 

urastus

⚡The Whippet⚡
May 4, 2020
1,548
995
Tasmania
I have the 2020 model e140 LTD (aluminium). I see you're in Aus - merida is one of the best value brands here. I love it. I wanted aluminium because it's easy to live with. I use mine for technical climbing and descending - it suits me well. I removed the tokens from the shock (there are two) so that I could decrease sag to 30% and get less bob - I only ever use all the suspension when playing on jumps, and then it's only when I overshoot and land on the flat. I have 150 psi in the shock - I'm about 80kg, maybe 85 with day pack. The forks on this aren't liked by many - they work for me and don't do anything unusual. Apparently there aren't any tokens in them. I have 50 psi and they feel good - 2cm left after a session on jumps and drops today. Just a good strong usable bike. I also like that it has strong wheels - 36 spokes rear, 32 spokes front; the only brand that does this as far as I know. And the mullet set up. If you're into xc and green track this is more than enough bike. I do mostly blue with occasional black, so if the bug bites you you're good to go. As I said, I've been getting into jumps and drops too - I usually session for a couple of kms after my ride and it's good for that. I've also been getting into fast flowy stuff with berms. Generally though my stomping ground is steep, hardpack and rocky.

The maxxis exo tyres are really too soft for tubeless - they're fine with tubes. Without tubes you need to run 2lbs more pressure (for the rear I run 18psi with tube, 20psi tubeless). 16 in the assegai with tube - haven't tried it tubeless and won't.

Just looked at the specs on your bike - quite a bit different to mine. Kenda tires (picture is wrong), different forks. I'd pay the extra for the e140 or e160. I got mine for $6000 ($500 off) new.

If you're really just doing xc and green track the e120 500 looks fine. If you think you might start getting into it more it would be cheaper to get e140 or e160 now.
 
Last edited:

sparked

Active member
Jun 6, 2020
144
170
Melbourne
I have the 2020 model e140 LTD (aluminium). I see you're in Aus - merida is one of the best value brands here. I love it. I wanted aluminium because it's easy to live with. I use mine for technical climbing and descending - it suits me well. I removed the tokens from the shock (there are two) so that I could decrease sag to 30% and get less bob - I only ever use all the suspension when playing on jumps, and then it's only when I overshoot and land on the flat. I have 150 psi in the shock - I'm about 80kg, maybe 85 with day pack. The forks on this aren't liked by many - they work for me and don't do anything unusual. Apparently there aren't any tokens in them. I have 50 psi and they feel good - 2cm left after a session on jumps and drops today. Just a good strong usable bike. I also like that it has strong wheels - 36 spokes rear, 32 spokes front; the only brand that does this as far as I know. And the mullet set up. If you're into xc and green track this is more than enough bike. I do mostly blue with occasional black, so if the bug bites you you're good to go. As I said, I've been getting into jumps and drops too - I usually session for a couple of kms after my ride and it's good for that. I've also been getting into fast flowy stuff with berms. Generally though my stomping ground is steep, hardpack and rocky.

The maxxis exo tyres are really too soft for tubeless - they're fine with tubes. Without tubes you need to run 2lbs more pressure (for the rear I run 18psi with tube, 20psi tubeless). 16 in the assegai with tube - haven't tried it tubeless and won't.

Just looked at the specs on your bike - quite a bit different to mine. Kenda tires (picture is wrong), different forks. I'd pay the extra for the e140 or e160. I got mine for $6000 ($500 off) new.

If you're really just doing xc and green track the e120 500 looks fine. If you think you might start getting into it more it would be cheaper to get e140 or e160 now.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience, much appreciated.

I'm happy to buy a bike that is a bit more than I need knowing I can grow into it if I want too.

I'd be happy with the e120 BUT sold out in Small and from all accounts this one is being discontinued and will be replaced by the soon to be released e140 400. We currently have a Levo Hardtail in Small and my partner loves it, it was 'my' bike but its ended up with the kid trailer on it and well - we need another bike so we can all have fun! Hence I thought I'd get myself into a full sus bike. I dont want to spend $7600AUD on a Levo - I'd rather spend less and then if I find I want to upgrade the fork in 1 - 2 years down the track I can do that.

The Suntour on the Levo HT is rubbish though, so buying the e140 400 if it also has a Suntour fork on it - not sure that thrills me!
 

mtbninja

New Member
Jul 13, 2020
31
20
Canberra, Australia
With more tokens, you can run lower pressure to get the same sag, or even lower again to get more sag, and not bottom out.. Removing tokens means you need more pressure to get the same sag, and more again it you are bottoming it out.... Sounds like what was done is the reverse of the goal that was in mind?

I'm 71kg, bout 79kg with full kit. I run 22.5psi front and 25psi rear. Though I have found the emtb runs a bit nicer at 25 front and 27.5 rear only due to the fact that it runs a 2.6 rear and 2.5 front, where as my other 2 bikes have a 2.4 front and rear. I do full enduro and down hill runs on emtb, hardtail and endro. They are all running DHRII tyres with EXO+, and the only time I've had problems with them is when I've accidentally forgotten to check the pressure and it was a bit low, then I got a pinch on the bead (and a dint on a rim on one occasion from the same thing). I run them tubeless, and only recently added tyre inserts - nukeproof ARD to the acoustic bikes, and cushcore was added on the emtb when I bought it because it's that extra 7kg more weight than my enduro.

Slightly beefier tyres can be good if you are going particularly hard, buf it you are mostly doing xc, and light trail use, they should be more than sufficient, esp if your weight is only around 80kg... Though the tyre pressure you choose to run in my opinion are really low. They are the same as a female rider friend of mine who weighs around 55-60kg, and she only really does xc and basic blue/green trails. 20-25psi is my recommendation as more ideal for your weight and the type of riding you are saying you do. A good test is at the end of your ride they are only too hard if you don't get a slight amount of X marks along the sidewall casing from slight twist in the tyre.

I'm a certified MTB trainer with PMBIA accreditation if that adds any extra reason to listen to my advice. Of course I don't know everything, and any advice is only based on what I could base it on from the post above. There may be many more things to factor in than I'm taking in to account.
 
Last edited:

Studley

Member
Aug 24, 2020
16
17
QLD Australia
With 2020 stock still available in AUS your better off getting the 2020 eONE Sixty LTD Edition over the 300.

2021 e160 300 is the new budget model - e7000 with Suntour suspension and Kenda tires vs e8000 with Rockshox and Maxxis. My local dealer has the LTD listed at the same price as the 300 and it can be had cheaper - so no reason to buy the 300 at the moment.

Same story for the 2021 eOne Forty 400. Its a downgrade vs the eOne Forty LTD:

RRP ~6499AUD

01. FRAME eONE-FS LITE III; MAT aluminium; 133 STR; 29/27.5″ WHS; 148×12 AST; intube;
02. SIZES S-M-L-XL
03. FORK Suntour XCR34 LOR DS; Air Boost; 140mm; Tapered; 51mm fork offset
04. REAR SHOCK SUNTOUR RS-EDGE-TR-LO-R8-M6; lockout
05. DRIVE UNIT Shimano STePS - not sure if e7000 or e8000, definitely not ep8
06. BATTERY Shimano STePS
07. BATTERY CHARGER Shimano EC-E6002; 2A
08. DISPLAY Shimano SC-E5003
09. SWITCH –
10. REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore RDM5120 10
11. SHIFTERS Shimano Deore M4100-RC1 clamp band 10
12. BRAKE-FRONT Shimano M4100; 4 piston
13. BRAKE-REAR Shimano M4100; 2 piston
14. ROTOR-FRONT Shimano RT30; 203 mm
15. ROTOR-REAR Shimano RTEM300; 180 mm
16. CHAINRING Shimano CRE70-B; 34 Tooth
17. CRANK Shimano FCEM600; 165 mm for all sizes
18. CHAIN CNHG54
19. CASSETTE Shimano M4100; 11-46 ATC; 10 speed
20. PEDALS VP; VPE-537
21. HANDLEBAR MERIDA Expert eTR; 780 Wide; 20 Rise
22. HANDLEBAR STEM MERIDA EXPERT eTRII; MAT aluminium; 35 DSH; 0 ASD
23. STEM LENGTH 50 mm all sizes
24. SEAT POST MERIDA COMP TR; 30.9 DSP; 0 SSB; S 100 SPT – M/L 125 SPT – XL 150 SPT
25. SADDLE MERIDA Comp CC; V-mount
26. HUB-FRONT Shimano MT400-B; 110×15 WHF; 32 SPH; Centerlock
27. HUB-REAR Shimano MT400-B; 148×12 WHR; 36 SPH; Centerlock
28. AXLE-REAR MERIDA COMP TR; including removeable lever, 6/4mm allen key
29. RIMS MERIDA COMP TR; 29 IWR; MAT aluminium
30. TYRE-FRONT MAXXIS REKON; 29×2.4″; wire
31. TYRE-REAR MAXXIS REKON; 27.5×2.6″; EXO wire
32. MUDGUARD C093-02F + C093-02R
33. LIGHT FRONT CG-119PG-BLACK(1)
34. LIGHT REAR CG-404RG-BLK
35. OTHER MERIDA Power Button, CAP-045
 

sparked

Active member
Jun 6, 2020
144
170
Melbourne
With 2020 stock still available in AUS your better off getting the 2020 eONE Sixty LTD Edition over the 300.

2021 e160 300 is the new budget model - e7000 with Suntour suspension and Kenda tires vs e8000 with Rockshox and Maxxis. My local dealer has the LTD listed at the same price as the 300 and it can be had cheaper - so no reason to buy the 300 at the moment.

Same story for the 2021 eOne Forty 400. Its a downgrade vs the eOne Forty LTD:

RRP ~6499AUD

01. FRAME eONE-FS LITE III; MAT aluminium; 133 STR; 29/27.5″ WHS; 148×12 AST; intube;
02. SIZES S-M-L-XL
03. FORK Suntour XCR34 LOR DS; Air Boost; 140mm; Tapered; 51mm fork offset
04. REAR SHOCK SUNTOUR RS-EDGE-TR-LO-R8-M6; lockout
05. DRIVE UNIT Shimano STePS - not sure if e7000 or e8000, definitely not ep8
06. BATTERY Shimano STePS
07. BATTERY CHARGER Shimano EC-E6002; 2A
08. DISPLAY Shimano SC-E5003
09. SWITCH –
10. REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore RDM5120 10
11. SHIFTERS Shimano Deore M4100-RC1 clamp band 10
12. BRAKE-FRONT Shimano M4100; 4 piston
13. BRAKE-REAR Shimano M4100; 2 piston
14. ROTOR-FRONT Shimano RT30; 203 mm
15. ROTOR-REAR Shimano RTEM300; 180 mm
16. CHAINRING Shimano CRE70-B; 34 Tooth
17. CRANK Shimano FCEM600; 165 mm for all sizes
18. CHAIN CNHG54
19. CASSETTE Shimano M4100; 11-46 ATC; 10 speed
20. PEDALS VP; VPE-537
21. HANDLEBAR MERIDA Expert eTR; 780 Wide; 20 Rise
22. HANDLEBAR STEM MERIDA EXPERT eTRII; MAT aluminium; 35 DSH; 0 ASD
23. STEM LENGTH 50 mm all sizes
24. SEAT POST MERIDA COMP TR; 30.9 DSP; 0 SSB; S 100 SPT – M/L 125 SPT – XL 150 SPT
25. SADDLE MERIDA Comp CC; V-mount
26. HUB-FRONT Shimano MT400-B; 110×15 WHF; 32 SPH; Centerlock
27. HUB-REAR Shimano MT400-B; 148×12 WHR; 36 SPH; Centerlock
28. AXLE-REAR MERIDA COMP TR; including removeable lever, 6/4mm allen key
29. RIMS MERIDA COMP TR; 29 IWR; MAT aluminium
30. TYRE-FRONT MAXXIS REKON; 29×2.4″; wire
31. TYRE-REAR MAXXIS REKON; 27.5×2.6″; EXO wire
32. MUDGUARD C093-02F + C093-02R
33. LIGHT FRONT CG-119PG-BLACK(1)
34. LIGHT REAR CG-404RG-BLK
35. OTHER MERIDA Power Button, CAP-045

hey there - totally agree with you, however I’m being told that the Ltd E140 in small frame is sold out with no more coming into Aus.
Not sure how true that is. I’ll make a few more enquiries to find out. I’m finding that different LBS have different stories!
 

mtbninja

New Member
Jul 13, 2020
31
20
Canberra, Australia
hey there - totally agree with you, however I’m being told that the Ltd E140 in small frame is sold out with no more coming into Aus.
Not sure how true that is. I’ll make a few more enquiries to find out. I’m finding that different LBS have different stories!
There's no e140 or e160 stock left in Australia aside from what may be in a few LBS sitting as unsold floor stock. I had to chase all around the country to find an e160, and it was shipped from WA to ACT for me. You are pretty well out of luck on most 2020 stock as everybody went out and bought bikes, and many went the ebike route during Covid-19.
 

smashmonkey

New Member
Aug 31, 2020
14
20
Australia
Ordered a new e160 500 2021, happy to see it comes with the new EP8 and larger battery, expected Oct delivery (Australia). I believe the e140 also comes with the EP8
 

sparked

Active member
Jun 6, 2020
144
170
Melbourne
Ordered a new e160 500 2021, happy to see it comes with the new EP8 and larger battery, expected Oct delivery (Australia). I believe the e140 also comes with the EP8

yes it sure does. In S frame thou only get the 504WH Batt.
Bike looks great though.

congrats!
 

Studley

Member
Aug 24, 2020
16
17
QLD Australia
A dealer told 2 weeks ago that Merida Aus were advising the e140/400 and e160/500 would get e8000 and 504wh, glad to see the more affordable models don't miss out.

Seems that Merida will have the best value in the Australian market again.

Im close to ordering a e140 400, however it seems to use the new low end e5003 display that does not seem to have bluetooth listed on the spec sheet.

SC-E5000

Im guessing it won't function with the Shimano app or STUnlocker?

Im intending to do a fair bit of commuting at night with lights wired into the battery - the E8000 reserved a large chunk of battery if lights were installed and required STUnlocker to disable. The ability to modify the assist modes in the new app looks great too...
 

MatLip

Member
Patreon
Apr 20, 2019
2
0
SW London
It seems that the only chance you can buy sought after e-bikes in the UK is 11 months after their launch, if there's such a thing as a launch. Why can't I just go down to a respectable bike shop and buy one? It's easier to buy a new car!
 

sparked

Active member
Jun 6, 2020
144
170
Melbourne
Ordered a new e160 500 2021, happy to see it comes with the new EP8 and larger battery, expected Oct delivery (Australia). I believe the e140 also comes with the EP8

All new e140 and e160 2021 bikes are coming with ep8 by the looks of it.

The cream colored bike above is now gone from the Merida site. Kinda weird they announced a new bike and then removed it?

It seems that the only chance you can buy sought after e-bikes in the UK is 11 months after their launch, if there's such a thing as a launch. Why can't I just go down to a respectable bike shop and buy one? It's easier to buy a new car!

That sucks. Specialized do new releases the right way. They have stock in LBS before they announce their new models. If lucky can manage to grab one at release. Not sure if Merida did this prior to the pandemic or not!
 

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