Merida Bikes 2017 Eurobike
Features / Mon 5th Sep, 2016 @ 9:30 pm
You need-ah some Merida in your life! Merida had bought up some serious floor space in the halls of Freidrichshafen to enable them to display their huge range of bikes. This year has seen some big changes to the mtb line up and this was a chance for them to show them off to the world.
The range now has the imaginatively named but informative 120, 140 and 160. These numbers obviously correspond to rear travel and give a fair indication of what they are aimed at. Merida make some fairly hardcore XC bikes, so these three fit into the more trail and enduro range where riders probably wont be wearing lycra.
What is interesting is the geometry and suspension tweaks to make these serious contenders in the trail/enduro market. With longer top tubes and slacker angles these are on trend and capable bikes with a really great lines and curves in all the right places. E- bikes get a look in on all these models, with equivalent pedal assist versions available, the 160 E bike will no doubt be a riot.
Things get really interesting with the new Big Trail, which is a big departure in style from the German brand. Normally the reserve of the British and Canadian bike companies, Merida have made a hardcore hardtail with long, low and slack angles ready to hit trails hard. With 27.5+ tyres they’ve made a bold statement, but fortunately the new tyres coming through which are no longer made of tissue paper should support this type of bike, and allow it to reach it’s full potential.
With a broad range of styles covered 2017 looks good for Merida.
By Ewen Turner
Ewen Turner is a self-confessed bike geek from Kendal in the Lake District of England. He runs a coaching and guiding business up there and has a plethora of knowledge about bikes with an analytical approach to testing. His passion for bicycles is infectious, and he’s a ripper on the trails who prefers to fit his working life around his time on the bike.
