Merida eONE-FORTY 8000 Review

As a component giant, Shimano is mostly known for its dominant position in bicycle gears. But with the EP8, the Japanese are clearly showing that they can look beyond their own plate too. No matter how steep or technical the climb is: the Shimano motor makes it conquerable! At the same time, the drive provides a well-rounded feeling while riding with a gentle power delivery. The short range unfortunately limits the tour radius quite significantly.

Solid endurance qualities are shown by the chassis of medium quality. Bad brakes reduce the riding pleasure. Fortunately, this is not the case with the eONE-FORTY 8000. With their four pistons and large brake rotors the Shimano brake brakes good. The average shifting components and accessories leave some tuning potential open. For most e-bikers, this should be an acceptable point. On winding trails, the playful handling comes to the fore, as the bike masters even the fastest direction changes with the short chainstay length playfully. Merida is focusing on a wheel mix of 29 inches at the front and small 27.5 inches at the rear. The smaller wheels at the back add extra playfulness to the bike. The low bottom bracket height will likely be a sticking point for trail riders, as it negatively affects handling. Short chainstays and make the front end light in steep climbs. To keep the front wheel on the ground, you need to consciously lean forward.