Merida ONE-TWENTY 300

About the Merida ONE-TWENTY 300

The Merida ONE-TWENTY 300 lands squarely in that sweet spot where value meets genuine capability. Built around 130mm of travel front and rear, it's a full-suspension trail bike that refuses to be pigeonholed - confident enough on descents to keep you grinning, efficient enough on climbs that you won't curse the extra squish. Merida's LITE aluminium frame wraps around a P-FLEX rear end (a flex-stay design that ditches bearings for simplicity), and the progressive geometry borrows cues from longer-travel siblings without the weight penalty. You're looking at a bike that punches well above its price point, whether you're threading singletrack or pointing it down something steeper than you'd planned.

What makes the ONE-TWENTY 300 particularly interesting is Merida's AGILOMETER sizing philosophy. Instead of locking you into a frame based purely on your inside leg, you pick a size that suits how you want the bike to feel - stable and planted, or nimble and playful. Short seat tubes and generous dropper travel (up to 200mm on the larger sizes) mean you're not compromising cockpit room for descending freedom. The result is a bike that adapts to your style rather than forcing you into someone else's idea of fit.

Shimano's CUES drivetrain handles the shifting, MT200 brakes haul you down, and Maxxis Rekon tyres roll fast without giving up too much grip. It's not the lightest rig in the category - you'll feel that extra kilo or so if you're chasing Strava crowns - but the trade-off is a frame that feels planted and composed when the trail gets rowdy. For riders stepping up to their first full-suspension bike, or anyone hunting a dependable all-rounder that won't demand constant fettling, the ONE-TWENTY 300 delivers without fuss.

Merida ONE-TWENTY 300 geometry

Merida's drawn a 66-degree head angle and a steep 78.5-degree seat tube into the ONE-TWENTY 300, a pairing that keeps your weight forward when you're grinding uphill but lets the front wheel track calmly over roots and rocks on the way back down. Reach grows steadily across the five sizes - from around 548mm on the X-Short to 632mm on the X-Long - so you're never cramped in the cockpit, even when the dropper's slammed and you're leaning into a berm. Stack climbs gently too, which means taller riders won't feel like they're hunched over the bars.

The chainstays sit at 435mm across every size, short enough to snap the bike around tight switchbacks but long enough to keep the rear wheel planted when you're hammering through chunder. Wheelbase stretches from roughly 1155mm to 1243mm as you move up the size range, and that extra length translates to high-speed stability without making the bike feel like a barge in tighter sections. Bottom bracket drop hovers around 30mm, a middle-ground figure that balances pedal clearance with a low centre of gravity - you'll clip a rock if you're lazy through technical climbs, but the bike corners with confidence because it's not perched too high.

Because of the AGILOMETER concept, you might find yourself sizing down for a more flickable feel or sizing up for extra stability on rough descents. The short seat tube and long dropper mean saddle height isn't the limiting factor; instead, you're choosing how much bike you want in front of you. It's a refreshing approach that acknowledges riders care as much about handling as they do about standover clearance.

Component choices & upgrades

The stock build on the ONE-TWENTY 300 is already well sorted for the money. Shimano's CUES U6000 drivetrain offers a wide 11-48T cassette and crisp, predictable shifts - it's not the flashiest groupset, but it's robust and easy to service. The MT200 brakes are two-piston hydraulics with 180mm rotors front and rear; they've got enough bite for trail riding and won't leave you pumping the levers on steep descents, though the feel is a touch wooden compared to pricier four-piston options. Merida's own COMP CC II rims are tubeless-ready with a 25mm internal width, a sensible spec that supports the 2.4" Maxxis Rekons without adding unnecessary weight.

If you're planning to push harder or ride wetter, grimier trails, the Rekon tyres are the first place to look. They roll fast and suit dry, hardpack conditions, but they'll let go earlier than you'd like in loose dirt or mud. Swapping to a grippier front tyre - something with taller, more aggressive knobs - will transform confidence on descents without slowing you down much. The SR Suntour XCR34 fork does its job, offering lockout and 130mm of air-sprung travel, but it's not the most sensitive or adjustable unit. Riders who spend serious time on technical trails will notice the difference if they upgrade to a fork with better damping and more tuning options, though that's a significant outlay and only worth it if your skills or terrain genuinely demand more.

The dropper post is already included - 150mm on the two smallest sizes, 170mm on the Mid, and a full 200mm on the Long and X-Long - so you're covered there. If you're chasing weight savings, lighter wheels or a carbon bar would shave grams, but neither upgrade will change the bike's character as much as fresh rubber or a fork swap. The threaded BSA bottom bracket is a quiet blessing; when it's time to replace bearings, you'll do it at home with basic tools rather than hunting down a press.

Where the Merida ONE-TWENTY 300 excels

This bike is outstanding at flowing trail riding where you're mixing climbs, descents, and everything in between. The 130mm travel and progressive geometry mean you can point it at rooty singletrack, rocky descents, and technical climbs without feeling like you've brought the wrong tool. It's the sort of bike that rewards smooth, efficient riding - keep your weight centred and your momentum up, and it'll carry speed through rough sections that would have you braking on a shorter-travel XC rig. The P-FLEX rear end is impressively supple for an aluminium frame, soaking up chatter without the pedal bob that plagues some budget full-suspension designs.

It also does well on longer rides where comfort matters as much as speed. The steep seat angle puts you in a strong climbing position, and the suspension platform is efficient enough that you're not haemorrhaging watts every time the trail tilts up. When the descent arrives, the slack head angle and generous wheelbase keep things calm, even if you're carrying more speed than you'd planned. It's not an enduro sled - you'll feel the limits of the travel and the fork's damping if you're charging through proper rock gardens or sending big drops - but for the vast majority of trail riding, it's more than capable.

Where it's less ideal is at the extremes. If you're racing XC and every gram counts, the ONE-TWENTY 300's weight (around 15.7 - 16.5kg) will cost you on the climbs. Conversely, if you're hunting gnarly enduro stages or spending weekends at bike parks, you'll want more travel, a slacker head angle, and burlier components. The Rekon tyres are another limiting factor in very loose or wet conditions; they're fine for general trail use, but they won't inspire confidence if you're riding year-round in the UK's muddier corners. Think of the ONE-TWENTY 300 as the dependable all-rounder that thrives on variety rather than the specialist that dominates one narrow discipline.

Merida ONE-TWENTY 300 FAQs

What is the Merida ONE-TWENTY 300 good for?
It's built for versatile trail riding - flowing singletrack, technical climbs, and confident descents all fall within its remit. The 130mm travel and progressive geometry make it a genuine all-rounder that handles everything from long XC loops to rowdier afternoon blasts without feeling out of its depth.

How much travel does the Merida ONE-TWENTY 300 have?
You get 130mm of travel front and rear. The SR Suntour XCR34 fork up front and the SR Suntour Edge Plus shock out back both offer lockout, so you can firm things up for climbs or smooth fire roads when you want to maximise efficiency.

What size Merida ONE-TWENTY 300 should I get?
Merida's AGILOMETER sizing lets you choose based on how you want the bike to handle, not just your height. If you prefer stable, planted riding, size up within your height range; if you want a more flickable, playful feel, size down. The short seat tube and long dropper mean saddle height won't be the limiting factor.

Is the Merida ONE-TWENTY 300 a good beginner mountain bike?
Absolutely. It's forgiving enough to build confidence but capable enough that you won't outgrow it quickly. The reliable Shimano CUES drivetrain, included dropper post, and progressive geometry mean you're getting a proper trail bike without the complexity or maintenance headaches of higher-end kit.

What is the weight of the Merida ONE-TWENTY 300?
A medium frame comes in at roughly 15.7kg, though some sources list up to 16.5kg depending on component tolerances and finishing. It's not the lightest in its class, but the extra weight buys you a robust frame and planted handling when the trail gets rough.

Can I fit wider tyres on the Merida ONE-TWENTY 300?
The frame clears up to 29x2.5", and the fork is specced for 29x2.4". You've got a bit of room to go wider if you want more grip or cushion, though you'll want to check mud clearance if you're riding in particularly wet, claggy conditions.

What are the best upgrades for a Merida ONE-TWENTY 300?
Start with tyres - swapping the front Rekon for something grippier will boost confidence on descents. If you're riding technical trails regularly, a fork upgrade will give you better damping and more tuning options. Beyond that, lighter wheels or a carbon bar will shave weight, but neither will transform the ride as much as fresh rubber or a better fork.

How does Merida's AGILOMETER sizing work?
Instead of locking you into a frame size based purely on height, AGILOMETER lets you choose how you want the bike to feel. The short seat tube and long dropper mean you can size down for a nimble, playful ride or size up for more stability and reach, all within the same height range. It's about handling preference, not just fit.