Officially debuted a year ago as a 2020 e-bike model, Merida worked closely with Shimano to refine their e-enduro bike with a EP8 upgrade to the eOne-Sixty, promising boosted performance across the board. Now the popular race-ready carbon e-bike gets all the benefits of the more powerful and longer lasting EP8 e-bike powertrain…
2021 Merida eOne-Sixty gets powerful Shimano EP8 upgrade
![2021 Merida eOne-Sixty gets powerful Shimano EP8 upgrade trailside](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2021-Merida-eOne-Sixty-gets-powerful-Shimano-EP8-upgrade_trailside.jpg)
Apparently the eOne-Sixty has been “the most decorated, tested and awarded bike in Merida’s history”. We came away impressed with the carbon mullet eMTB’s capabilities, versatility & fun riding style from last spring’s launch.
So can only imagine that a lighter, more powerful, and longer range update paired with the new Shimano EP8 system can only make for an even better e-bike.
So what all is new for the eOne-Sixty?
For the 2021 model year, the e-enduro e-bike moves to the all-new, lighter & more powerful 85Nm Shimano EP8 motor with its improved efficiency, quieter running & reduced drag.
Of course, range is also boosted with the bigger capacity 630Wh internal battery, and the refined software with improved Trail mode efficiency.
![2021 Merida eOne-Sixty gets powerful Shimano EP8 upgrade](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2021-Merida-eOne-Sixty-gets-powerful-Shimano-EP8-upgrade_alloy-frame-e160-500-detail.jpg)
But the MY21 Merida eOne-Sixty also gets a few other tweaks. The new eOne-Sixties also get further optimized internal cable routing, an improved Energy Guard battery cover to protect the longer-range internal battery, and a new kickstand mount.
Plus, a new direct stem mounted font Lezyne light means round the clock visibility with a super clean setup.
![2021 Merida eOne-Sixty gets powerful Shimano EP8 upgrade](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2021-Merida-eOne-Sixty-gets-powerful-Shimano-EP8-upgrade_e160-10k.jpg)
There are also several different bike specs available within the e160 platform (and the shorter travel 140mm variants, too). Three top eOne-Sixty models feature the carbon main triangle with the alloy rear end, then three more get full alloy frames to bring the cost down a bit, even with the latest EP8 tech – starting from just £3800 / 4200€. Merida also will have EP8-equipped eBig.Nine e-hardtails from just £3200 / 3500€, and will even offer some EP8 builds of their eSpresso city commuter and eBig.Tour hybrid.
![2021 Merida eOne-Sixty gets powerful Shimano EP8 upgrade](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2021-Merida-eOne-Sixty-gets-powerful-Shimano-EP8-upgrade_eOneSixty8000_Kike-Abelleira-air.jpg)