Merida ONE-SIXTY 400

About the Merida ONE-SIXTY 400

The Merida ONE-SIXTY 400 lands squarely in the enduro sweet spot: enough travel and slack geometry to let you commit on steep, rough descents, yet a steep seat angle and efficient suspension platform that won't punish you on the climb back up. Built around a Lite III aluminium frame with 170mm Marzocchi Z1 fork and 162mm of rear travel, it's designed for riders who want to charge technical trails, session bike parks at the weekend, or toe the line at local enduro races without needing a second mortgage. Merida's FAST kinematic suspension underpins the ride, blending suppleness off the top with mid-stroke support that resists wallowing when you're on the gas.

What sets the ONE-SIXTY 400 apart is its flexibility. The frame accommodates either full 29-inch wheels or a mullet configuration - 29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear - so you can tailor handling to your local trails or riding style. Merida's AGILOMETER sizing philosophy lets you choose reach rather than simply matching your height to a letter, and the suspension progression is tuned to each frame size. It's a thoughtful approach that acknowledges riders come in different shapes and have different preferences for how a bike pivots beneath them.

At 16.9 kilograms it's no featherweight, and the Shimano CUES eleven-speed drivetrain sits at the entry tier for this category. But the frame is robust, the Marzocchi suspension is proven, and the SRAM four-piston brakes deliver confident modulation when you're leaning into long, steep descents. If you're after a durable workhorse that'll handle aggressive riding without demanding constant fettling or a premium outlay, the ONE-SIXTY 400 makes a compelling case.

Merida ONE-SIXTY 400 geometry

Merida pitches the ONE-SIXTY 400 with modern enduro geometry: a slack head angle that plants the front wheel ahead of you, a long front centre for stability at speed, and a steep seat tube that keeps your weight over the cranks when the gradient kicks up. The result is a bike that feels composed rather than nervous when the trail gets rowdy, yet doesn't tip you onto the bars when you're grinding uphill.

Reach grows across the five sizes - XShort through to XLong - so you can dial in how much cockpit space you want. Shorter riders benefit from a more compact front end that's easier to muscle through tight switchbacks, while taller riders get the room to stay centred without feeling cramped. Stack height rises in step, keeping bar height proportional and ensuring you're not folded over the front end regardless of frame size.

The long wheelbase and slack head angle mean the bike holds its line over rough ground and resists deflection when you're committed. It's not a bike that darts into corners; you'll need to weight the front and trust the geometry to carve rather than flick. On climbs the steep seat angle brings your hips forward, improving traction on loose or steep pitches and making it easier to stay seated when the gradient ramps. The low bottom bracket adds stability but you'll need to mind pedal strikes on technical climbs or tight, rocky corners.

Component choices & upgrades

The stock build on the ONE-SIXTY 400 is sensibly chosen for the price point. Marzocchi's Z1 fork and Bomber Inline shock deliver reliable performance - plush enough to take the sting out of repeated hits, with a lockout on the shock for fire-road slogs. The Shimano CUES eleven-speed drivetrain offers a wide 10-50t range that'll get you up most climbs, and the SRAM DB4 four-piston brakes provide ample power and modulation for steep, sustained descents. Maxxis rubber front and rear - Minion DHF up front, Dissector at the back - gives you proven grip and rolling speed straight out of the box.

That said, if your riding pushes harder or you're chasing marginal gains, there are logical upgrade paths. Swapping to a twelve-speed drivetrain - Shimano Deore or SRAM NX Eagle - tightens gear steps and adds a touch more range. A coil shock in place of the air Bomber Inline will add suppleness and mid-stroke support if you're a heavier rider or spend most of your time in bike parks, though you'll sacrifice some pedalling efficiency and add weight. Lighter wheels or a move to tubeless inserts can sharpen handling and reduce pinch-flat risk without compromising durability.

Cockpit tweaks are personal. The 780mm bar is generous, but if you prefer more leverage or a roomier feel you can go wider; conversely, shorter riders might trim a centimetre or two for better manoeuvrability in tight trees. A shorter stem - say, 35mm down to 30mm - will quicken steering if you find the front end too stable. But these are refinements, not necessities. The stock setup is well-sorted for the bike's intended use, and most riders will find it capable as delivered.

Where the Merida ONE-SIXTY 400 excels

This bike is built for aggressive trail riding and enduro racing. If your weekends involve steep, technical descents, rock gardens, and rooty chutes where you need travel and composure, the ONE-SIXTY 400 is in its element. The suspension soaks up repeated hits without packing down, the geometry inspires confidence when you're leaning into rough corners, and the four-piston brakes let you modulate speed without grabbing a fistful of lever. It's equally at home in a bike park, where the robust aluminium frame and proven Marzocchi suspension will take the punishment of repeated laps without complaint.

It's also surprisingly capable on the climbs for a bike with this much travel. The steep seat angle and efficient suspension platform mean you're not fighting the bike on long fire-road grinds or technical ascents. You'll feel the weight on extended climbs, and it won't match a trail bike for outright efficiency, but it's far from a one-way ticket. The mullet option sharpens handling if you prefer a more playful rear end, while the full 29er setup rolls faster and holds momentum better over rough ground.

Where it's less ideal is on mellow, flowing trails or long XC-style rides where the extra travel and weight become a burden rather than an asset. The slack geometry and long wheelbase make it feel sluggish in tight, flat corners, and the knobby Maxxis tyres drag on smoother surfaces. If your local trails are more about rhythm and flow than raw technicality, a shorter-travel trail bike will feel livelier and more engaging. Similarly, if you're chasing outright speed on race-pace XC loops, the ONE-SIXTY 400's enduro DNA will hold you back.

Merida ONE-SIXTY 400 FAQs

What is the best suspension travel for enduro?
Most modern enduro bikes run 160 - 180mm of travel, balancing descending capability with climbing efficiency. The ONE-SIXTY 400's 170mm front and 162mm rear sits in the middle of that range, offering enough cushion for aggressive descents without feeling like a downhill sled on the way back up. If you're racing or riding very steep, technical terrain, more travel helps; if your trails are mellower, less travel keeps the bike livelier.

How much does the Merida ONE-SIXTY 400 weigh?
The complete bike weighs approximately 16.9 kilograms. That's typical for an aluminium enduro bike at this price point, though lighter than some burlier park-focused builds. You'll notice the weight on long climbs, but the trade-off is durability and a frame that'll take repeated hits without complaint.

Is a mullet bike good for enduro?
A mullet setup - 29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear - can sharpen handling and make the bike feel more playful, especially in tight, technical sections where you want the rear to snap around quickly. The larger front wheel maintains stability and rollover, while the smaller rear shortens the wheelbase slightly. It's a matter of preference: full 29er setups hold momentum better and feel calmer at speed, while mullet configurations suit riders who prioritise agility.

What is the geometry of the Merida ONE-SIXTY 400?
The geometry is modern enduro: slack head angle for stability, long front centre for confidence at speed, and a steep seat angle to keep you centred on climbs. Reach grows across the five sizes, and the low bottom bracket adds stability but requires care on technical climbs to avoid pedal strikes. The long wheelbase means the bike holds its line over rough ground rather than darting into corners.

What are the best tyres for enduro riding?
The ONE-SIXTY 400 comes with Maxxis Minion DHF front and Dissector rear, both proven choices. The DHF offers predictable cornering grip and braking traction, while the Dissector rolls faster and sheds mud better. For wetter UK conditions you might consider a Minion DHR II or Assegai on the rear for extra bite, or a High Roller II if you want a middle ground between grip and rolling speed. Tyre choice depends on your local terrain and how much you prioritise grip versus efficiency.

How does Merida's AGILOMETER sizing work?
AGILOMETER lets you choose frame size based on reach - the horizontal distance from bottom bracket to head tube - rather than simply matching your height to a size chart. Merida also tunes suspension progression to each frame size, so smaller frames aren't just scaled-down versions of larger ones. It's a more personalised approach that acknowledges riders have different preferences for cockpit space and handling feel, even if they're the same height.

Is the Merida ONE-SIXTY 400 good for climbing?
For an enduro bike, yes. The steep seat angle keeps your weight over the cranks, improving traction and making it easier to stay seated on steep or loose climbs. The FAST suspension platform resists bob without feeling harsh, and the lockout on the rear shock firms things up for fire-road grinds. You'll feel the 16.9-kilogram weight on extended climbs, and it won't match a trail bike for outright efficiency, but it's far more capable uphill than its travel and geometry might suggest.