Merida One-Twenty 7.500

The Merida One-Twenty 7 is a value-orientated 27.5in wheeled trail bike platform introduced for 2015. Here we review the base model 7.500, which shares a near identical frame with the more expensive models, but with a few tweaks and a componentry list that places it at a lowly price point where just a handful of others compete.  

At what price does a dual suspension bike become properly off-road worthy? It’s a question we’re commonly asked and one that remains a trade-off in weight and durability when compared to a similarly priced hardtail. With a quality frame, the Merida One Twenty 7.500 may just be that entry point and one that we investigated in a recent BikeRadar Battle.

• Highs: Quality frame construction, strong trail performance, confidence-inducing
• Lows: Unbalanced suspension, noisy fork, difficult fork upgrade, long brake reach
• First upgrades: Dropper seat post, faster tyres
• Buy if: You’re seeking a confident trail bike on a tight budget

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It's rare that a brand would change the frame for one model, but the front triangle of the 7.500 is different to its more expensive siblings

It’s common for brands to mass-produce a single frame within a range and just change the components on it to adjust the model prices. The One-Twenty 7.500’s ‘TFS’ frame is different, and although it’s extremely close to the ‘Lite’ frame of the 7.700 and 7.900 One-Twenty models, it does feature slightly more basic tube shapes and a simpler, straight head tube (The Lite model frame has a tapered head tube). These small changes give some insight into just how many of these bikes Merida  – a manufacturing powerhouse – plans to sell.

No doubt the most important aspect of a full suspension frame is the rear suspension design. Here, Merida employs a floating system appropriately dubbed ‘Float Link’. Instead of placing the rear shock onto a fixed position shock mount within the front triangle, the bottom of the shock is instead connected onto an extended chain stay, which remains constantly in motion with the suspension. Merida claims this design allows it to more finely tune how progressive the system is and not have to rely as heavily on the shock’s internal damping design.

You can read more at BikeRadar.com