Merida ONE-SIXTY 500

About the Merida ONE-SIXTY 500

Merida's ONE-SIXTY 500 lands squarely in that sweet spot where enduro capability meets sensible money. Built around the same award-winning FAST kinematic suspension and modern geometry as its pricier siblings, this aluminium-framed bruiser offers 170mm up front and 162mm out back - travel figures that signal serious intent on steep, rough ground. Yet the steep seat angle and efficient suspension platform mean you're not condemned to a death-march every time the trail points upward.

The frame itself is Merida's ONE-SIXTY LITE III alloy, shaped around a flexstay rear end that ditches a couple of pivots for reduced weight, simpler maintenance, and a stiffer back end. An adjustable rocker lets you flip between full 29er and mullet configurations without wrecking the geometry, so you can tailor wheel size to your local trails or riding style. Internal cable routing threads through the headset - tidy to look at, occasionally fiddly to service - and there's space for a bottle on the downtube plus an accessory mount higher up.

Spec-wise, the 500 sits at the accessible end of the ONE-SIXTY range, leaning on Shimano Deore 12-speed shifting, four-piston Deore brakes, and a RockShox Domain Gold R fork paired with a Deluxe Select+ shock. Maxxis rubber - Assegai up front, Minion DHR II out back - comes fitted as standard, and you get a long-travel dropper post included. It's a build that prioritises function and durability over bling, and the result is a bike that punches well above its price point when the trail gets gnarly.

Merida ONE-SIXTY 500 geometry

The numbers here translate to a bike that feels planted and confident rather than nervous or darty. A 64-degree head angle is slack enough to inspire trust on steep, fast descents, while the 79-degree seat angle plants you forward over the bottom bracket when you're grinding uphill. Reach grows from 448mm in XShort through to 548mm in XLong, giving a broad spread of fit options - Merida calls this their AGILOMETER sizing, and it's designed so you pick reach based on how you want the bike to handle, not just your inseam.

Chainstays hover around 434 - 437.5mm depending on size, short enough to keep the back end lively without making the wheelbase feel cramped. Speaking of wheelbase, it stretches from 1211mm up to 1311mm as you move through the sizes, delivering stability at speed and a composed feel through rough, off-camber sections. Bottom bracket drop sits at 27.5mm, low enough to anchor you into the bike but not so deep that you're clipping rocks on every pedal stroke.

When you flip the chip to mullet mode, the geometry holds its shape - no sudden shift in angles or handling quirks - so you can experiment with a 27.5-inch rear wheel if you want a more flickable back end or need clearance for bigger tyres. The overall posture is modern enduro: long front centre for high-speed calm, steep seat tube for pedalling efficiency, and enough stack to keep your weight centred without folding you in half.

Component choices & upgrades

Out of the box, the ONE-SIXTY 500 arrives well sorted. Shimano's Deore 12-speed drivetrain offers a 10 - 51-tooth cassette and a 32-tooth chainring, giving you a wide enough range to spin up technical climbs and still have legs left for the descent. The four-piston Deore brakes haul you down reliably, though the 203mm rotors are resin-pad compatible only - something to note if you're planning long, steep days or prefer the bite of sintered pads.

The RockShox Domain Gold R fork and Deluxe Select+ shock handle the suspension duties capably, with the shock offering a lockout for fire-road slogs. Some riders pushing hard into compressions report the shock tune leans toward the supple side and could use more mid-stroke support, but for most trail and enduro riding it strikes a good balance between small-bump sensitivity and bottom-out resistance.

Maxxis Assegai and Minion DHR II tyres are a proven pairing - grippy, predictable, and tough - though the EXO+ casing on the front and Double Down on the rear mean you're not carrying excessive weight. If your local trails are especially sharp or you're racing, a beefier casing or insert might be worth considering. The MERIDA COMP TR II rims are tubeless-ready with a 28mm internal width, plenty wide enough for those 2.5-inch tyres to sit well and offer good support in corners.

Upgrade paths? If you're racing or riding particularly demanding terrain, a shock with more tunability - perhaps a coil if you prefer that feel - and sintered-pad-compatible rotors would be sensible first steps. A lighter wheelset or carbon bars can shave a bit of heft if you're chasing speed, but the stock build is honest and durable enough that you can ride it hard for a long time before anything feels like a limitation.

Where the Merida ONE-SIXTY 500 excels

This bike is built for enduro racing and aggressive trail riding where the descents matter most but the climbs can't be ignored. Point it down a steep, rough chute littered with rocks and roots, and it eats the terrain with a calm, composed manner that inspires you to carry more speed than you thought sensible. The suspension stays active, the geometry keeps you centred, and the long travel means you can push into compressions without the bike bucking you off line.

Surprisingly, it climbs better than its travel and weight suggest. That steep seat angle and efficient suspension platform mean you're not fighting the bike on technical ascents, and the lockout on the shock helps on smoother fire roads. It's not an XC whippet, but you won't dread the uphills either - more a case of steady progress than suffering.

Bike parks, big mountain days, and rowdy trail centres are where the ONE-SIXTY 500 feels most at home. The robust aluminium frame, long-travel dropper, and grippy Maxxis rubber let you session features, session jumps, and generally ride with confidence. It's also versatile enough that if you fancy experimenting with a mullet setup for tighter, twistier trails, the flip-chip makes the swap straightforward without compromising the handling.

Where it's less ideal: if you're chasing lightweight XC speed or prefer a more playful, poppy feel on mellower trails, this bike will feel like overkill. The weight - around 17.4 - 17.6kg depending on size - means it's not the quickest to accelerate or the easiest to manual, and on smoother, flatter trails you might find yourself wishing for something nimbler. It's also worth noting that the component spec, while solid, is entry-level for the enduro category; if you're already an experienced rider with high expectations, you might find yourself upgrading brakes or suspension sooner than later.

Merida ONE-SIXTY 500 FAQs

What is the travel on the Merida ONE-SIXTY 500?
You get 170mm of travel up front from the RockShox Domain Gold R fork and 162mm at the rear with the Deluxe Select+ shock in 29er mode. Flip to a mullet setup and the rear travel increases slightly to 171mm, though the geometry stays consistent thanks to the adjustable rocker.

Is the Merida ONE-SIXTY 500 good for climbing?
Better than you'd expect for a bike with this much travel. The 79-degree seat angle puts you in an efficient pedalling position, and the FAST kinematic suspension platform stays stable under power. The shock's lockout helps on smoother climbs, and while it's no XC racer, you won't be walking sections your mates on trail bikes are riding.

What tyre size can fit on the Merida ONE-SIXTY 500?
The frame is designed for up to 2.5-inch tyres as standard, with enough clearance to run 2.6-inch rubber if you need more volume or grip. There's also decent mud clearance, so you're not packing the frame with crud on wet days.

Can I run a mullet setup on the Merida ONE-SIXTY 500?
Yes, the adjustable rocker lets you switch between full 29er and mullet (29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear) configurations. The geometry adjusts to maintain consistent handling across both setups, so you can tailor wheel size to your trails or riding preference without compromise.

What is the weight of the Merida ONE-SIXTY 500?
Around 17.4 to 17.6 kilograms depending on frame size and exact build spec. It's not the lightest enduro bike out there, but the aluminium frame and durable component choices mean it's built to take a beating rather than chase grams.

What type of bottom bracket does the Merida ONE-SIXTY 500 use?
A BSA threaded bottom bracket, 73mm wide. It's a standard, reliable design that's easy to service and widely compatible with most cranksets.

Is the Merida ONE-SIXTY 500 suitable for enduro racing?
Absolutely. The geometry, suspension platform, and travel figures are all designed with enduro racing in mind, and the bike's been praised as a solid entry point into the category. You get the same frame and suspension design as higher-spec ONE-SIXTY models, just with more accessible componentry.

What are the key differences between the Merida ONE-SIXTY 500 and other models?
The 500 sits at the entry level of the ONE-SIXTY range, using an aluminium frame rather than carbon and speccing Shimano Deore components instead of higher-tier XT or XTR. Higher-numbered models - like the 700, 6000, or 8000 - offer lighter frames, plusher suspension, and more premium parts, but they all share the same core geometry and suspension kinematic.