E160 8000 vs. 9000 - value proposition of the upgrade?

[Wet Jimmy]

Hi Merida fans,

Since November 2021 I've been waiting on the delivery of a Merida E160 8000 (2021) and now it looks like shipment has been pushed back to September 2022 at the earliest...

HOWEVER my LBS has just advised me that a Merida E160 9000 (2021) will be available shortly.

The 9000 is more expensive; an increase of $1,088 GBP / $1,449 USD / $2,000 AUD over the 8000.

Best I can see the main differences are;

Fork; Fox 38 vs Marzocchi Z1, same 160mm travel.
Shock; Fox DPX2 Elite vs. Performance.
XT vs SLX brakes.
Same EP8 motor and 630Wh battery, slightly fancier display.

Is there are a world where the cost upgrade is justified? Are the components on the 9000 so much nicer I'm likely to notice? I was already sitting on the fence with the cost of the 8000, and I'm struggling to see why the 9000 is worth the extra (other than the prospect of having an eMTB now and NOT having an eMTB...).

It's a first world problem. I CAN wait until September, I've got bigger problems in my life than not having an eMTB, but at the same time if I do wait, I know I'll have in the back of my mind a creeping thought that I've paid new bike prices for a model that's going to be more than a year old...

Talk me off this cliff?

Thanks

 

[Doug Stampfer]

Where did you hear the supply had been pushed back from? We're waiting on a E160 700 here in NZ (assume same agent for both countries)& sposed to be in Dec now April. I'm just wondering if it too is pushed back?

 

[CFME]

Hi Merida fans,

Since November 2021 I've been waiting on the delivery of a Merida E160 8000 (2021) and now it looks like shipment has been pushed back to September 2022 at the earliest...

HOWEVER my LBS has just advised me that a Merida E160 9000 (2021) will be available shortly.

The 9000 is more expensive; an increase of $1,088 GBP / $1,449 USD / $2,000 AUD over the 8000.

Best I can see the main differences are;

Fork; Fox 38 vs Marzocchi Z1, same 160mm travel.
Shock; Fox DPX2 Elite vs. Performance.
XT vs SLX brakes.
Same EP8 motor and 630Wh battery, slightly fancier display.

Is there are a world where the cost upgrade is justified? Are the components on the 9000 so much nicer I'm likely to notice? I was already sitting on the fence with the cost of the 8000, and I'm struggling to see why the 9000 is worth the extra (other than the prospect of having an eMTB now and NOT having an eMTB...).

It's a first world problem. I CAN wait until September, I've got bigger problems in my life than not having an eMTB, but at the same time if I do wait, I know I'll have in the back of my mind a creeping thought that I've paid new bike prices for a model that's going to be more than a year old...

Talk me off this cliff?

Thanks

Don’t forget the DT Swiss wheels on the 9000, the 8000 Merida brand wheels are pretty ordinary

 

[steve_sordy]

If it makes you feel any better, I have the 9000 and I have zero complaints about any of it. I actively would not want the 10000.

Try the usual decision maker: After all the analysis of pros and cons and the deep thoughts are done, assign one option (the 8000) to one side of a coin and the other option (the 9000) to the other. Bind yourself to the result. Toss the coin and slam it on the table (no cheating by looking at the coin first). Observe the result and ask yourself one question: "Do I feel happy?" If not, then choose the other option!