Article New Merida EMTB Coming on May 29th

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Something new is coming from Merida. Spotted on their Instagram page, a video, with the references to E-ONESIXTY, and the tag ‘TRUE LEGACY X REINVENTED’. The current E-ONESIXTY is still a top bike, but looking a bit dated with its design.

The release date looks like its set in as the 29th May, so not long to go at all until all is revealed. Until then, check out the video and keep an eye of for more teasers on their channel.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Pic:

 

[Jamsxr]

Will look nice with an integrated battery, I wonder if this will be the premium version and they’ll still supply the outgoing model.

I’m guessing they’re sticking with Shimano, seems slightly odd they wouldn’t wait for an updated motor.

 

[Fivetones]

I think there’s a few BT-E8035-based bike updates coming. My bet, the “E9000” is mounting compatible with the E8000/E7000.

 

[Jamsxr]

I think there’s a few BT-E8035-based bike updates coming. My bet, the “E9000” is mounting compatible with the E8000/E7000.

That would be very cool!

 

[StevenM]

Ohhh yeah

 

[Laker123]

Merida just put a teaser up on their Facebook page for the new Eone-Sixty. With more to be reviled on May 29th. Have included a screen shot of the bike from what was shown in the teaser, looks like in tube battery is confirmed.

Here is a link to the Facebook post:

 

[Ivan]

Exciting times!

 

[featherplucker]

Super interested in this one. Wonder if they'll go more enduro/longer travel?

 

[RAZOR]

likewise if there is an e140 in the pipeline I could be very tempted!
me likey

 

[MattyB]

Super interested in this one. Wonder if they'll go more enduro/longer travel?

Errr, it’s called the eOne Sixty. I don’t think there’s any doubt how much travel it has!

 

[featherplucker]

Errr, it’s called the eOne Sixty. I don’t think there’s any doubt how much travel it has!

Yeh, fair call, but I wouldn't mind seeing a taller fork or a 27.5"/29" combo - maybe even a 165mm coil option on the back.

 

[knut7]

The new e160 could get a 170mm fork, just like the e120 has 130mm. Will be interesting to see if there's more models released. We'll know the 29th at 08:00am CEST.

 

[Laker123]

The new e160 could get a 170mm fork, just like the e120 has 130mm. Will be interesting to see if there's more models released. We'll know the 29th at 08:00am CEST.

Yep not long to wait pretty excited although will dread to see the pricing. Rob will have to do another review considering his one negative was the looks, well now it’s integrated hopefully it rises just as nice as the current model.

 

[R120]

well we know they will be using the new Shimano intube battery, but I do wonder if hey will “borrow” the 700wh tech from Specialized

 

[2unfit2ride]

I know it will look prettier but it will still look like an EMTB with that Shimano motor so I don't see the point of making it internal, the only internal battery I want is the Fazua system as it looks almost normal & the battery size means that you can carry a spare without hauling a massive pack.

 

[R120]

I don't get the thing about wanting to make an EMTB look "normal", its not an MTB, its an EMTB, I want a good looking EMTB, not one that's failing to try and look like a normal bike.

 

[knut7]

well we know they will be using the new Shimano intube battery, but I do wonder if hey will “borrow” the 700wh tech from Specialized

As far as I know there won't be a bigger battery... for now. But they're working on it. I guess they're limited by the size/volume of the BT8035 battery, hopefully energy density has improved enough by next year. I believe we'll know more about this on wednesday too.

What I'm hoping for from the new e160 is a clever way of integrating the battery that requires no complicated frame design or reinforcement. This will keep cost and weight down and you're basically getting most of the benefits of an external design in an internal (detachable) battery frame.

 

[Jamsxr]

I don't get the thing about wanting to make an EMTB look "normal", its not an MTB, its an EMTB, I want a good looking EMTB, not one that's failing to try and look like a normal bike.

Completely agree. I like a nicely constructed frame that exposes all of the components, even a battery. When I see a nicely set up bike with water bottle, pump, tube, tools etc... I think it looks cool, it’s not trying too hard.

Forgive me for my sins but I’m not a fan of the big crank area and rounded lines of the Levo, give me a few angles and a small exposed motor any day.

I guess variety is the spice of life. I still think integrated batteries look good, but I don’t see them as innovation, more of a marketing play with a dash of engineering.

 

[iXi]

Take it with a grain of salt but a local bike shop said top model will be full carbon and come with an addittional battery and backpack and will cost a shit ton of money. This is an Australian bike shop so for us he was talking 12-14k whereas the top model currently can be had for 6.5k

 

[Janluke]

Take it with a grain of salt but a local bike shop said top model will be full carbon and come with an addittional battery and backpack and will cost a shit ton of money. This is an Australian bike shop so for us he was talking 12-14k whereas the top model currently can be had for 6.5k

My Merida dealer also says "Carbon"

 

[Doomanic]

Forgive me for my sins but I’m not a fan of the big crank area and rounded lines of the Levo,

 

[Basy]

So they made a norco vlt?

 

[R120]

No, its got a totally different battery set up, suspension design, and you can fit a water bottle. Similar silhouette though

 

[Tamas]

I don't get the thing about wanting to make an EMTB look "normal", its not an MTB, its an EMTB, I want a good looking EMTB, not one that's failing to try and look like a normal bike.

I think the push for the integrated battery is marketing. There are still many people on the fence regarding to ebikes and they can be turned with the ‘non-ebike looking ebike’. Yes, it’s still visibly an ebike but they feel better about it somehow.
Personally, I prefer external battery because for me it’s more convenient than the integrated in many ways... and I’m not ashamed riding my ebike looking Meta Power.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

I think the push for the integrated battery is marketing. There are still many people on the fence regarding to ebikes and they can be turned with the ‘non-ebike looking ebike’. Yes, it’s still visibly an ebike but they feel better about it somehow.
Personally, I prefer external battery because for me it’s more convenient than the integrated in many ways... and I’m not ashamed riding my ebike looking Meta Power.

I appreciate good, well thought out design, engineering and aesthetics. Heres my favourite looking Ebike.

 

[Tamas]

I appreciate good, well thought out design, engineering and aesthetics. Heres my favourite looking Ebike.

Yes, this looks awesome no question about it and currently the best concept with the removable motor/battery unit.
For me, a bike with external battery can look awesome too - like the e160 especially in green. Personally, I find the geometry, handling, practicality, value for money more important than the look itself so I really hope the bikes with external batteries will not go away completely. The ‘integration’ in many cases mean proprietary batteries (and chargers) that cannot be easily removed from the frame, different weight balance (higher center of gravity) etc. which I don’t like. What I really like is that I can swap batteries between my Commencal and my wife’s Canyon. These bikes will not turn the most heads at the coffee stops that’s for sure but they ride awesome. ?

 

[MattyB]

I think the push for the integrated battery is marketing. There are still many people on the fence regarding to ebikes and they can be turned with the ‘non-ebike looking ebike’. Yes, it’s still visibly an ebike but they feel better about it somehow.
Personally, I prefer external battery because for me it’s more convenient than the integrated in many ways... and I’m not ashamed riding my ebike looking Meta Power.

Yes, this looks awesome no question about it and currently the best concept with the removable motor/battery unit.
For me, a bike with external battery can look awesome too - like the e160 especially in green. Personally, I find the geometry, handling, practicality, value for money more important than the look itself so I really hope the bikes with external batteries will not go away completely. The ‘integration’ in many cases mean proprietary batteries (and chargers) that cannot be easily removed from the frame, different weight balance (higher center of gravity) etc. which I don’t like. What I really like is that I can swap batteries between my Commencal and my wife’s Canyon. These bikes will not turn the most heads at the coffee stops that’s for sure but they ride awesome. ?

I agree, but unfortunately it’s unlikely there will be many new bikes released moving forward without integrated batteries. It’s a combination of marketing, focus group led design (“Which bike do you prefer sir - the one with the battery hump or the prettier one?”) and the self fulfilling factor of an ever increasing number of manufacturers going integrated. It will become increasingly risky to release a new bike with an “old fashioned” external battery, but I suspect there will be a market for them at least until Li ion is replaced by next gen battery tech, particularly in the colder countries. My bet is Canyon will be last to go full integrated.