Author: John Dodgin

We’ve got new bikes coming into stock every day at WHEELBASE, here’s just a selection of some of our latest arrivals from the World’s best brands…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week our Fast Bike Friday feature focuses on the Kona Rove DL gravel bike; on first impressions this is an uber-cool, quirky gravel bike with a retro feel, but beyond the styling is there a bike that rides well and meets the demands of modern gravel riding? Well, yes! In this case steel is most certainly real…

As we’ve mentioned in previous features, when it comes to gravel bikes there’s an increasingly wide range of ‘sub-types’ within this genre of riding – from super-lightweight carbon aero race machines to tough alloy options with slack geometry and a playful setup. Kona have most definitely focused on the more utilitarian, bike-packing & adventure approach to gravel and have put together a very comprehensive range of bikes with frames made from a wide choice of materials,  650b or 700c wheel sizes, 1x or 2x drivetrains and flat or straight handle bars. We featured a brief overview of the complete Kona gravel and adventure range HERE recently; today we are taking a detailed look at the all-new Rove DL.

The all-new Kona Rove DL…

Kona tell us that the Rove DL replaces their previous Rove ST model, taking everything they had perfected with the ST and changing things up significantly by building the Rove DL with their own Kona Butted Cromoly steel tubing for a stunning frame and Project Two Cromoly Disc fork producing a bike that not only smooths out your ride but is guaranteed to catch plenty of attention thanks to its super-stylish retro looks.

The Kona Rove DL embraces the ‘steel is real’ mantra…

Kona have embraced all that’s good with steel bicycle frame construction and then brought it bang-up-to-date with all of the small detailing and technical innovations you’d expect from a modern gravel bike. You’ll hear enthusiasts of steel bikes talking about the unique ‘feel’ of the ride when compared to carbon or aluminium bikes; Kona have never strayed from featuring bikes made from this material somewhere in their range as they recognise steel’s shock absorbing properties, durability and supple ride characteristics. It’s exactly these properties that makes steel such a great material for gravel bikes that have been designed to handle long-distance, mixed-surface adventures where comfort, durability and load-carrying capacity are all non-negotiable.

Kona’s Cromoly Butted steel construction produces a comfortable, durable frame…

Looks can be deceptive, beyond its headlining Cromoly steel construction and retro-styling there’s still plenty of technical innovation going on in the construction of the Rove DL’s frameset. The head tube of the frame is tapered with more girth positioned at the bottom to help better distribute shock force from rough terrain and helping eliminate any potential for front brake shudder. That tapered head tube also means that the bikes’ lower headset bearing is safely stowed away internally inside the frame / fork junction to significantly increase the life of the bearings.

There’s a modern tapered headtube on this retro-styled gravel bike…

Continuing the theme of a cutting-edge gravel bike that’s cleverly disguised as a retro classic Kona have included contemporary axle spacing with a rear 12×142 thru-axle keeping things stiff and responsive, your wheel secure and the rear wheel’s disc brake rotor remaining perfectly aligned; the 12mm diameter rear axle creates a stiff interface between the rear hub and the frame, further adding to just how responsive this bike feels when you’re stomping on the pedals, there’s no loss of energy through this setup.

The durable Rove DL frame features neat welds and subtle graphics…

Upfront Kona have spec’d a Project Two Cromoly Disc fork; once again this is just a good way to utilise the inherent properties of steel – that springy, compliant feel decreases the vibration through to your hands reducing rider fatigue. These durable Cromoly steel forks are thru-axle too, just like the setup at the rear of the frame this means that your front wheel is extra-secure and your disc rotor is perfectly aligned all of the time. The 100x12mm hub / fork interface helps provide precise steering with excellent tracking through rough terrain and as you’ll see from the photos the Project Two fork also includes multiple bolt-on bosses to allow you to load up your Rove with bags for multi-day bike-packing adventures.

A Project Two Cromoly Disc fork with thru-axle and multiple bolt-on bosses…

Neat front brake hose routing and stylish graphics adorn the Project Two steel forks…

In days gone by a robust, steel bike built for riding on cycling adventures and designed to carry a load would have featured a triple chainset including a tiny 28T ‘granny ring’ up front combined with a rear cassette featuring a  32T cog to give you the gearing required to climb steep hills when your bike is fully laden. Thankfully things have moved on quite significantly since then and this is most certainly the case with the drivetrain spec on the Kona Rove DL. To keep things simple and efficient the Rove DL features a SRAM Rival 1x 11-speed drivetrain which consists of a single 40T chainring upfront combined with a massive wide-ratio rear cassette; the smallest cog is a tiny 11T and the largest is a whopping 42T. This clever, stripped-back system gives you all the gearing you’ll need so that you won’t spin out on fast, flat roads or run out of climbing gears on the climbs, even when you’re fully loaded up with all of your bike-packing gear.

The SRAM Rival drivetrain keeps things simple but brilliantly functional…

If you’re unfamiliar with this type of gearing you may be wondering about chain security – the ability to keep the chain on the front chain ring and rear cassette, particularly over rough & unpredictable terrain. Traditionalists may well panic at the lack of a front derailleur which, as well as allowing you to change up or down gears on a conventional drivetrain also prevents the chain from dropping off the chainrings. Fear not! The SRAM Rival drivetrain takes technology first used on their mountain bike groupsets and applies it here for the similar demands of gravel biking; the 11-speed rear derailleur includes a built-in clutch which cleverly adds tension to the chain to help prevent it from unshipping. Similarly that single chainring upfront features a narrow-wide tooth profile which also helps to keep the chain safely located.

The Rival rear derailleur features a clutch to help prevent the chain from unshipping…

The 11-speed SRAM Rival shifter simple to use…

SRAM’s right hand DoubleTap lever takes charge of gear-changing duties…

The SRAM Rival single chainring creates a simple, uncluttered drivetrain…

SRAM’s narrow/wide profiled 40T chainring helps to keep the chain securely located…

Kona have spec’d mechanical disc brakes to the Rove DL rather than an a hydraulic option; this has enabled them to keep the Rove DL at a competitive price point and whilst mechanical disc brakes are sometimes seen as a significant compromise compared to fit-and-forget hydraulic units these TRP Spyre brake calipers stand out as one of the most powerful, user-friendly mechanical disc brakes available. Unlike many other mechanical disc brake options the TRP Spyres actually have dual pistons rather than a single piston, which makes them significantly more powerful and much easier to set up and maintain; this dual piston setup means even pad and rotor wear because the rotor does not need to flex to one side during braking. The calipers also feature a cable barrel adjuster to allow you to fine tune pad / rotor clearance and are paired up with 160mm rotors front and rear to provide plenty of stopping power even in wet off-road conditions.

TRP Spyre mechanical disc brake calipers are powerful and easy to adjust…

Kona have spec’d 160mm rotors for enhanced stopping power…

The TRP Spyres feature cable barrel adjusters for on-the-fly adjustments…

In a move that reflects how Kona sees this bike being used – for rowdy riding and off-road adventures, they have spec’d 650b rather than 700c wheels. By using the slightly smaller diameter wheels Kona are able to fit a larger volume tyre for enhanced comfort and control off-road while retaining an overall diameter that is very similar to a larger 700c wheel with a smaller-volume tyre fitted; this means that the wheels roll just as fast as a conventional 700c wheel but with the added comfort and compliance of a larger volume tyre. Kona have spec’d a wheelset consisting of tough WTB KOM Light Team i23 rims laced to durable Formula thru-axle hubs with fast-rolling WTB Venture TCS DUAL 650x47c tyres which feature a minimal tread pattern down the centre of the tyre for fast road sections and smooth terrain combined with a more aggressive tread pattern on the outer edges of the tyre to keep you in control on tight, technical off-road terrain.

650b WTB wheels are ready for rowdy riding…

There’s plenty of clearance between tyre and frame even with large volume 47c tyres…

Kona have spec’d durable Formula thru-axle hubs on the Rove DL…

There’s a minimal tread pattern down the centre of the tyre for fast road sections…

Finishing kit on the Kona Rove DL consists of lightweight, durable alloy Kona stem, handlebar and seatpost as well as a comfortable and hard-wearing WTB saddle that includes Kona branding.

Light, strong Kona components finish of the Rove DL…

The Kona handle bars are wide without being ridiculous and suit this off-road-focused gravel bike…

A clean, clutter-free cockpit leaves plenty of room for a bar bag…

The Kona branded saddle is actually made by well-respected component brand WTB…

The Kona Rove DL is a fantastic contemporary gravel bike that’s cleverly hiding behind some very cool retro looks. The Cromoly steel frame and fork brings its own unique feel which is perfectly suited to the demands of gravel riding and multi-day bike-packing adventures; similarly the smaller 650b wheelset fitted with large volume 47c tyres encourage you to push your riding to the limit, making this a fun bike to ride if you’ve only got a couple of hours spare to blast around your local woods. By fitting the Rove DL with a SRAM Rival groupset Kona have given you all the gears you’ll need regardless of the load you’re carrying, with the simple 1x drivetrain keeping things simple and brilliantly functional in all riding conditions. Whether you’re dreaming of days gone by and want to rediscover the joys of riding a classy steel bike or are considering your first foray into steel the Kona Rove DL is a versatile, durable, FUN option to go for.

Considering your first foray into steel? The Kona Rove DL gravel bike is a great option…

The Kona Rove DL is available in-store and online now.

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

Want to see more fast bikes? You can now see all of our featured bikes in one place over on Pinterest where you’ll find links to each of our Fast Bike Friday Blogs too!

Are you just getting into cycling? If you’re planning on buying your first road bike then look no further than the Specialized Allez road bike, available in three different specifications they’re designed to suit your budget and cycling ambitions.

Whether you want to start riding socially on the road or to save money and get fit by commuting to work the Specialized Allez is a fantastic road bike to start your journey. Perhaps you want to set up your new road bike on a static indoor trainer during the week and then quickly and easily head out at the weekends to explore your local roads? Have you set yourself a cycling challenge such as a Sportive or are attempting your first Triathlon? We would recommend a Specialized Allez for a number of reasons, not least because of the amount ‘trickle-down technology’ included on these bikes.

What’s trickle-down technology? It’s a term we use in the bike industry to describe design innovation and componentry that was initially implemented a lot further up the food chain but is now utilised on entry-level bikes, what does this mean in reality? It means you’ll directly benefit from technology that makes your entry into road cycling all the more user-friendly and enjoyable.

At the heart of each Allez model is a superlight Specialized E5 frame and carbon fibre fork. Taking a lot of the engineering principles that the Specialized designers have developed on their top-of-the-line carbon fibre frames each alloy tube is cleverly manipulated and shaped to save weight and increase strength and stiffness where it is needed most. While some entry-level road bikes feature alloy or cheap carbon fibre forks which detract from the overall ride quality, there’s no such compromise here. Specialized have fitted a full FACT carbon fibre fork which drops the overall weight of the bike, contributes to better handling and gives you more confidence to ride faster on tricky descents and tight turns.

With versatility in mind and the consideration that you may well be commuting on your Allez during the week Specialized have included pannier rack and mudguard mounts to allow you to equip your bike for the daily demands of riding to and from work. The geometry of the bike (how it fits you) has been developed using Specialized’s 30+ years of experience in designing and constructing bikes; the Allez features user-friendly geometry that is comfortable and confidence-inspiring while still providing performance-minded handling that you’d expect from your first road bike.

The alloy frame and carbon fibre fork is the same across all three Allez bikes we are looking at here, so what determines the price difference? If you chose to pay a little more what are you getting that’s different and how will it benefit you and your riding? The biggest, most significant difference between each bike is the ‘Groupset’ it has been spec’d with. When we talk about the groupset we are referring to the componentry that drives the bike forward, handles the gear changing and takes care of the braking duties. When you pay a little more you can expect a groupset with a wider choice of gearing (basically there are more gears available on the bike); all three models feature two chainrings at the front of the drivetrain combined with a cluster of gears (cassette) on the rear wheel. The Allez Elite features an 11-speed cassette, the Allez Sport a 9-speed cassette and the Allez an 8-speed cassette; the more gears that are squeezed into the cassette the wider choice of gearing you’ll have. What’s the main benefit of this? Well it means that the change between each gear is less dramatic allowing you to pedal more smoothly and feel less fatigued and you’ll also find that you have a gear to suit every gradient you encounter.

All three Allez models come spec’d with Shimano groupsets – Shimano are the world leaders in cycling drivetrain componentry. The key differences of each Shimano groupset as you move up towards the higher-priced options are the quality of the gear changing mechanisms (the front and rear derailleur) which move the chain to the gear you have selected, with components becoming lighter and slightly more efficient as you move up the Allez range. It’s worth pointing out that, again, Shimano groupsets are an excellent example of trickle-down technology in the bicycle industry with all of the componentry being heavily influenced from their predecessors further up the Shimano range. This means that each component gets more and more user-friendly with each generation, providing lighter-action, more precise gear selections with each iteration.

Another key consideration when you’re choosing your first road bike, along with seeking a light & comfortable frame and efficient groupset is the brakes that have been spec’d. If you’re starting out riding on a road bike you’ll want to feel confident and in control at all times; a lot of that control comes from your bike’s braking system and how effective it is, particularly when something unforeseen happens in front of you.

You’ll have no-doubt seen that more and more road bikes now feature disc brakes (brakes located at the centre of the wheel on the hub); this is relatively new technology that typically features higher up the price range of road bikes. The reason for this is that the technology and materials involved to make the disc brakes and disc-brake-specific wheels is more expensive. We’ve not yet seen this sort of technology available at the price point of the Allez road bikes we’re looking at here; it’s also important to note that if and when disc brakes ARE spec’d on bikes at this price point (as you may see with some alternative bike brands) the cheaper, more affordable disc-brake-specific-wheels tend to be noticeably heavier than a conventional wheel.

All three models of Specialized Allez feature conventional rim brakes which are powerful and easy to modulate, this simple, effective setup keeps the overall weight of your bike down and makes for a more lively, spritely feel on the road. Specialized have spec’d light, durable road 700c diameter road wheels to all of the Allez and have shod them with slick, fat-rolling Specialized Roadsport wheels with a 26mm width to help cushion you from harsh road surfaces and provide you with plenty of confidence-inspiring grip on flowing downhill descents.

If you’re considering your first road bike the Specialized Allez is a fantastic option, with a range of specifications and prices to suit your cycling ambitions and budgets. The bikes are packed full of proven technology and have been designed to be versatile and user-friendly as you begin to progress in the sport of cycling. As the weather improves and the days get longer there’s more opportunities to get out and get fit so now is the time to get properly equipped for the more enjoyable days ahead. If you want more advice and guidance why not come in and see us in any of our three stores – Wheelbase Lake District, Yorkshire and North East or get in touch with our customer support team and shop conveniently online. We have some great buying options too; why not spread the cost of your new bike with our Finance options or buy through a Cycle to Work Scheme….

Buying your first road bike? Look no further than the Specialized Allez…

 

Specialized Allez Elite £1,249.00

Specialized Allez Elite Specification:

Frame: Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing w/ SmoothWelds, 1-1/8″- 1-3/8″ tapered head tube, internal cable routing, threaded BB, 130mm spacing

Fork: Specialized FACT carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8″ taper, fender eyelets

Stem: Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise

Handle Bars: Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp

Brakes: Axis 1.0 caliper

Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 R7000 GS, medium cage, 11-speed

Shift Levers: Shimano 105 R7000, 11-speed

Cassette: Shimano 105, 11-speed, 11-32t

Chainset: Praxis Alba

Wheels: DT R460, sealed cartridge hubs, 14g spokes

Front Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Rear Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Saddle: Body Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel rails

Seat Post: Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware

SHOP NOW

 

Specialized Allez Sport £999.00

Specialized Allez Sport Specification:

Frame: Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing w/ SmoothWelds, 1-1/8″- 1-3/8″ tapered head tube, internal cable routing, threaded BB, 130mm spacing

Fork: Specialized FACT carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8″ taper, fender eyelets

Stem: Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise

Handle Bars: Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp

Brakes: Axis 1.0 caliper

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora, 9-speed

Shift Levers: Shimano Sora, 9-speed

Cassette: SunRace, 9-speed, 11-32t

Chainset: Praxis Alba

Wheels: Axis Sport

Front Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Rear Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Saddle: Body Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel rails

Seat Post: Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware

SHOP NOW

 

Specialized Allez £799.00

Specialized Allez Specification:

Frame: Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing w/ SmoothWelds, 1-1/8″- 1-3/8″ tapered head tube, internal cable routing, threaded BB, 130mm spacing

Fork: Specialized FACT carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8″ taper, fender eyelets

Stem: Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise

Handle Bars: Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp

Brakes: Tektro, alloy, dual-pivot

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Claris, 8-speed

Shift Levers: Shimano Claris 2000, 8-speed

Cassette: SunRace, 8-speed, 11-32t

Chainset: Shimano Claris R200

Wheels: Axis Sport

Front Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Rear Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Saddle: Body Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel rails

Seat Post: Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware

SHOP NOW

 

Feature written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

LOOKING FOR A NEW OPPORTUNITY? THEN LOOK NO FURTHER THAN A COMPANY THAT IS GOING PLACES.

WHEELBASE is the UK’s largest cycle store and we have been at the forefront of the industry for the last 25 years. We live and breathe bikes and have built up our business in the Lake District National Park with some of the UK’s best mountain and road rides right outside our HQ. We opened our second store WHEELBASE North East in 2016 and our third store WHEELBASE Yorkshire in 2018. We have ambitious plans for further expansion of our retail and ecommerce divisions.

WHEELBASE LAKE DISTRICT SALES ASSISTANT – FULL TIME

Location: WHEELBASE Lake District, LA8 9LR

We are currently looking for the right applicants to join our ever-growing Store Sales Team at our Lake District super store in Staveley.

In a busy and exciting environment, we strive to deliver outstanding service to our customers. Providing the latest products from the leading brands across all disciplines of our sport – mountain, road, electric, leisure, kids and adventure.

ABOUT THE JOB:

• To offer first-class customer service to all of our store customers at the UK’s largest cycle store.
• Provide advice, assistance and expertise within any of our store departments; mountain, road, electric, leisure, kids and adventure.
• Work closely with your Store Sales Team to create a positive, exciting and engaging retail environment.
• The role is fast paced, varied and testing.

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO:

• Engage with customers, from meeting and greeting to asking questions, listening and understanding their needs.
• Be a team player in our busy retail environment and have a passion for cycling
• Develop your product knowledge across mountain, road, electric, leisure, kids and adventure bikes, clothing and accessories.
• Manage orders and deliver within time frames.

ABOUT YOU:

• Passionate about cycling
• Confident, outgoing, polite and helpful
• Willingness to develop inter-personal skills and product knowledge
• Proactive
• Team player
• Good organisational skills
• Be able to work under pressure

 SALARY: We offer a competitive salary based on ability and experience.

PLEASE SEND YOUR C.V. AND COVER LETTER TO: jobs@wheelbase.co.uk

CLOSING DATE:  No closing date currently set, please apply now.

MAIL ORDER CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANT – FULL TIME

Our ecommerce division is based out of our Lake District HQ and has seen significant growth over the past year; we pride ourselves on offering a premium shopping experience to our mail order customers through excellent customer service via our website, telephone and email.

ABOUT THE JOB:

• To offer first-class customer service to all of our online customers
• Provide advice, assistance and expertise on mountain, road, electric, leisure, kids and adventure bikes
• The role is fast paced, varied and testing

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO:

• Answer customer email enquiries
• Assist customers on the telephone
• Tender payments and process refunds efficiently
• Liaise with colleagues to ensure orders are fulfilled
• Complete other tasks within your team as required

ABOUT YOU:

• Passionate about cycling
• Confident, outgoing, polite and helpful
• Willingness to develop inter-personal skills and product knowledge
• Proactive
• Team player
• Good organisational skills
• Be able to work under pressure

SALARY: We offer a competitive salary based on ability and experience.

PLEASE SEND YOUR C.V. AND COVER LETTER TO: jobs@wheelbase.co.uk

CLOSING DATE:  No closing date currently set, please apply now.

MECHANIC – MAIL ORDER BICYCLE PACKING (PFS) – FULL TIME

We are currently looking for bicycle mechanics to join our growing Mail Order bicycle packing team located at our Lake District super store in Staveley. Our bikes are fully built, tuned and expertly packed before being shipped to anywhere in the UK. As part of our expansion we are now looking for a Bike Builder to join our busy mail order team.

ABOUT THE JOB:

• We build, tune, pack and ship a wide range of bikes including mountain, road, electric bikes and children’s bikes
• Each bike will be expertly built to an excellent standard and tuned to be ready to ride
• Each bike is packed in a consistent manner which meets our quality control standards to be ready for shipping

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO:

• Build, tune, pack and ship a pre-determined number of bikes on a daily basis
• Have an eye for detail and strive to meet our high quality control standards
• You will be required to move quickly from one job to another to hit our daily shipping deadlines with our chosen couriers
• Work confidently within a small team

ABOUT YOU:

• Good level of experience working with the latest mountain, road, and electric bikes
• Remain up to date with the latest cycling technologies including, electric bikes, electronic shifting and the latest suspension systems
• Able to work independently and efficiently to meet daily deadlines
• Communicate confidently within a small team to get the job done
• Organised, tidy and efficient

SALARY: We offer a competitive salary based on ability and experience.

PLEASE SEND YOUR C.V. AND COVER LETTER TO: jobs@wheelbase.co.uk

CLOSING DATE:  No closing date currently set, please apply now.

 

PLEASE SEND YOUR C.V. AND COVER LETTER TO: jobs@wheelbase.co.uk

Spring is almost upon us, we can feel it! Get set for better times and the freedom to explore. The Eightshot Kid’s bike brand is available now at Wheelbase, take advantage of our sale prices now!…

In stock now, the Eightshot X-Coady 24 SL and Eightshot X-Coady 24 FS are great examples of this German brand’s complete focus on high-quality, child-friendly bikes designed specifically to make cycling more fun for kids. How have they achieved this? By very careful consideration of every detail, from each component spec’d, to the geometry and sizing of these great kid’s bikes.

Eightshot X-Coady 24 SL

Eightshot X-Coady 24 Fs

These Eightshot bikes with 24” wheels have been designed for children within the age range of 7-12 years, with a height range of 128-155cm and an inside leg measurement somewhere between 61-72cm. The X-Coady 24 SL and FS models are not downsized adult bikes, a process some bike brands are prone to do, these bike have been designed and refined using feedback from children and parents until every consideration has been tweaked to make your child’s riding more comfortable AND more fun.

Eightshot X-Coady 24 SL

Eightshot have designed the X-Coady 24 SL and FS bicycle frames around the dimensions of kids with some key considerations including bottom bracket height. Eightshot have slightly lowered the bottom bracket compared to other kid’s bikes from other brands; the reason for this is simple – as children begin to explore more demanding terrain they tend to have to put their feet down quickly to steady themselves. A lower bottom bracket combined with shorter cranks means pedalling clearance is maintained while your child is positioned slightly lower to the ground and is able to dab their feet as and when they need to.

Eightshot X-Coady 24 Fs

Eightshot X-Coady 24 FS

We also love Eightshot’s focus on a child-friendly Q-Factor; to quickly explain Q-Factor, it is the overall width of the bike’s bottom bracket, cranks and pedals, as the diagram below shows, many kids bikes just mirror the Q-Factor from their adult’s bikes, however that combined width is excessive for smaller children. Eightshot’s smaller Q-Factor keeps your child’s legs closer together making pedalling more comfortable and efficient all round.

We know from experience, both as retailers and as parents to children who love to ride with their family, that as kids grow and get to the 7-12 age range that these bikes are aimed at they naturally want to go further afield and explore more varied terrain. The demands of kid’s bike increase significantly at this point and the Eightshot X-Coady bikes are certainly up to the job.

Eightshot X-Coady 24 SL

So what are the key elements required for such a bike? Well, firstly there doesn’t need to be any gimmicks. We want bikes that are light but tough, have sensible gearing to help little legs cope with the demands of riding more difficult terrain & longer distances, reliable brakes that can be easily operated by smaller hands and contact points that have been designed to work well specifically with children – for example a smaller saddle, narrow handlebars, slimmer grips and brake levers that are positioned closer to the bars so that little hands can reach them quickly and easily.

Both the X-Coady 24 SL and X-Coady 24 FS feature Shimano Tourney 8-Speed gearing with a great spread of gear ratios to enable kids to ride up hills with ease and keep up with their older siblings and parents on fast, flat terrain. A simple  to use twist-shift gear shifter is easy and intuitive for kids to use and by being incorporated into the handle bar grip it’s less lightly to get damaged than some typical gear levers.

With safety in mind Eightshot have spec’d a chainring guard to help stop little fingers getting trapped as well as protecting the components from the rough and tumble of every day riding.

Both bikes feature 140mm cranks that have been scaled to fit the dimensions of the bike and to match an average inside leg length for children that this bike is aimed at. Large, flat pedals mean your child’s feet will stay stable and secure on them, with less risk of slipping a pedal on rough terrain.

Braking on the X-Coady 24 SL and X-Coady 24 FS is taken care of by powerful v-brakes which are simple and easy to maintain. The brake levers on the handlebars have been designed with small hands in mind and are close to the bars so reaching for the levers in the heat of the moment is quick and safe.

Contact points have been considered too with Eightshot’s own child-specific saddle fitted; the profile of the saddle is shorter and slightly wider that the equivalent dimensions of an adult saddle, this gives increased support and enhances comfort when your child is pedalling while seated. The bike’s stem is 60mm so that reach is child-friendly and your kids aren’t in a stretched position, similarly the handle bars are 580mm wide to accommodate narrow shoulders giving a comfortable feel.

Eightshot have managed to hit a sweet-spot with their wheels & tyres combination on both X-Coady 24 bikes. Ideally a child’s bike should have tyres with sufficient volume to help kids navigate rough terrain and cushion them on the occasional curb hit; equally they’ll need a fast-rolling tyre that isn’t working against them, making pedalling harder. Eightshot have this aspect sorted too with their 24 x 2.0 tyres featuring a grippy tyre tread that provides traction on soft ground while rolling well on smoother tarmac surfaces.

Both bikes feature 24” wheels that are easy to get rolling but are big enough to help carry speed, keeping your child rolling without having to constantly pedal hard to get going again. The wheels have 32 spokes for a tough build to keep their wheel true and sealed-bearing hubs feature quick release wheels allowing you to quickly and efficiently remove wheels if you need to transport the bike in your car.

There is really only one key difference between the X-Coady 24 SL and X-Coady 24 FS in terms of specification and this is the child-specific suspension fork on the X-Coady 24 FS. Eightshot have spec’d an RST CAPA T24 fork with 50mm of suspension travel and features a soft spring that has been designed to work well with the lower weights of an averaged sized child. The addition of a suspension fork on this model means that when you venture off-road with your child they’ll be more comfortable and will be able to stay in control as the terrain gets rough.

So that’s our detailed look at the excellent Eightshot X-Coady 24 SL and X-Coady 24 FS kid’s bikes. We’re really impressed with the quality of these bikes from a brand that is focused solely on developing bikes for children. If you’re looking for a child’s bike that is going to reinforce their love of riding with friends and family and want to encourage them to start to stretch their riding to longer distances, possibly on more challenging terrain then these two models are a great choice.

 

In stock now – Eightshot X-Coady 24 SL…

 

In stock now – Eightshot X-Coady 24 SL…

 

Eightshot kid’s bikes are ready for proper riding and MORE fun…

Blog written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

…‘Downcountry’ ?! I know what you’re thinking, what are they talking about now? As if mountain biking didn’t have enough sub-genres already! Well, it’s worth pointing out that this term is being used more and more in-store and during idle chat on the trailside; when you start to see a trend developing it’s time to sit up and take notice, particularly if you work in the fast-moving, ever-shifting-sands of the bike trade…

Riders have been using the term to describe the type of mountain bike that starts out as a lightweight cross-country rig and is effectively beefed up a little to handle more demanding trails and aggressive riding. Here at Wheelbase we’ve seen the trend for this type of bike usually as part of a custom build where our customer starts out with their chosen frame and fork and then specs their components to be that bit more gravity-focused. Key factors include beefed-up suspension travel, usually increasing from 100mm up to 120mm, wider, higher-volume tyres, 4-pot brake callipers, bigger disc brake rotors and a dropper seat post; all of these tweaks allow you to ride harder on the downs while being way more efficient on the climbs and on day-long epic mountain bike marathon adventures.

Need more convincing? Look no further than Cross Country racing at the highest level. If You’ve watched any of the RedBull coverage of the XCO Word Cups recently you’ll have no doubt noticed just how technically demanding the courses have become. The races are fast paced and action-packed these days with races not just being won on the climbs; there’s been a fair amount of victories that have been won thanks to just how well racers can ride the downhills and technical sections.

Responding to the needs of their own racers and picking up early on the developing trend of Downcountry mountain bikes from the general biking community Cannondale have launched the all-new Scalpel Carbon SE LTD Lefty, billed as the ultimate marathon racer and high-speed trail slayer.

This new, beefed up Scalpel needed a whole new fork as the conventional Cannondale Lefty Ocho fork wasn’t going to deliver the extra travel required for this bike. The all-new Lefty Ocho 120 features (surprise!) 120mm of travel and an extra-long fork offset which gives you more stability and confidence when things get rough, while keeping the steering XC-quick everywhere else.

Cannondale have matched that longer-travel front end with a RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate shock out back with 120mm of travel; the shock features a 2-Position mode adjust and adjustable rebound to help you tune your ride.

Cannondale make a point of telling us that the Scalpel Carbon SE LTD Lefty follows their ‘Proportional Response’ principle; this evokes visions of world leaders describing how they are going to react to some lawless state lobbing motors over the border but rest assured it’s nothing that troubling. Cannondale use Proportional Response to customise and fine-tune the layout of their suspension for each frame size so that every rider from the tallest to the smallest experiences the same brilliant suspension performance.

An aggressive cross-country mountain bike still needs to be super-light and efficient; the key to this Scalpel’s incredible suspension performance and agile, featherweight feel is thanks in no small part to their FlexPivot at the chainstays of the frame. These patented carbon plates create virtual Horst link pivots, while being stiffer and lighter than bearings. Cannondale reassure us that they’re incredibly durable, very flexible and completely maintenance-free.

Another feature that’s of note on the Scalpel SE LTD Lefty is Cannondale’s Ai – Asymmetric Integration – what’s this? It’s their unique offset drivetrain which helps to provide enhanced clearance between tyre and frame allowing you to run larger volume tyres – perfect for the kind of riding this bike has been developed to do. This setup means that the rear wheel actually features less dish, this means that the spokes run at less of an angle between hub and rim which helps to create a stiffer, stronger wheel.

We love the look of this mountain bike and can see that this approach will be really popular with riders and racers taking on marathon-style races and fast-paced super-technical trails. Our very own multi-discipline mountain bike racer Lucy Bell who is notoriously fast on tight, technical trails is the perfect candidate for an aggressive Downcountry setup like this, having already raced 8 hour epics on a conventional Cannondale Scalpel we can imagine she would have bags of fun racing this machine!

The all-new Cannondale Scalpel Carbon SE LTD Lefty will be available in-store and online very soon, watch this space!…

 

This week our Fast Bike Friday feature is looking at the fantastically versatile, super-fun to ride Trek Fuel EX 8 XT full-suspension trail bike. This capable bike is a great option for riders looking for one mountain bike that does everything well; the Fuel EX 8 is only one option within the range of Fuel EX models available and is made from Alpha Platinum Aluminium rather than OCLV Mountain Carbon which you’ll find further up the range, this means that the Fuel EX 8 is more affordable while still including many of the key benefits you’ll find on the more expensive Carbon options providing great value for money. The versatile Fuel EX 8 XT is built around two different wheel size options depending on your bike size; while fast-rolling 29” wheels feature on most frame sizes, on an extra-small frame you’ll get a more proportional 27.5” wheel to help give you better stand-over clearance and it’s also good to see that for the size small option Trek have actually given us a choice of 29” or 27.5” wheels.

The Fuel EX 8 XT’s stout but light alloy frame is ready for action…

The Trek Fuel EX 8 XT trail bike is built ready for rowdy riding; as you cast an eye over the bike the big travel fork, active rear suspension, large aggressive-tread 2.6” tyres and dropper seat post all hint at what this bike has been designed to do – conquer tight, technical trails at speed and handle big hits with ease. This versatile trail bike doesn’t just excel on the downhills though, with years of experience and the constant evolution of Trek’s design and engineering principles with regard to full suspension platforms the Fuel EX 8 pedals surprisingly well uphill without being effected by all of that suspension travel. Throw in an efficient 1x drivetrain with a massive 12-speed 10-51T cassette and there’s really no reason to fear the uphills; this is a trail bike that’s capable of taking on the most demanding terrain you can find regardless of whether you’re pointing it uphill or downhill.

The Fuel EX 8 is built for rowdy riding…

The Trek Fuel EX 8 XT Alpha Platinum Aluminium frame is packed full of user-friendly features that have previously been utilised on a number of Trek’s other mountain bike models. One such feature is the Knock Block which is a clever frame defence system integrated into the bike’s headset and headtube; in the event of a crash where your bars spin this system limits the rotation of the handlebar to prevent the fork crown or handlebar controls from damaging the frame. There’s also a downtube guard to protect from any potential damage from flying debris as well as Trek’s Control Freak system – a simple setup which provides neat, efficient brake and gear cable routing through the frame; every little detail on the frame has been considered and refined where necessary.

The high-value Alpha Platinum Aluminium frame is packed full of user-friendly features…

The Fuel EX 8 XT’s rear suspension takes proven technology and designs that have evolved over years of design and development at Trek; with a bike brand that is so well established in MTB and with so many full-suspension mountain bikes across their complete range of bikes you won’t be surprised to see a number of suspension innovations on the Fuel EX that are also found elsewhere.  Trek’s ABP system separates suspension and braking forces, keeping suspension active under braking. If you’re braking on rough terrain the last thing you want is for the suspension to stop working and for the rear wheel to start skipping about so that you lose traction and control just when you need it most. The ABP system sees the brake being attached to the floating portion of the swingarm allowing for fully-active suspension even under heavy braking.

Trek’s APB system keeps suspension active thanks to this concentric pivot and careful placement of the brake on the floating portion of the swingarm…

The rear suspension is plush, active and adjustable thanks to its Magnesium Rocker Link, Mino Link and APB…

The Fuel EX 8’s 130mm of active rear suspension is facilitated by a Fox Performance Float EVOL rear shock which has been tuned by the Trek Suspension Lab to include their RE:Aktiv suspension system. This clever shock was developed in partnership with Penske Racing Shocks & implemented by Fox and is completely unique to Trek bikes; the principle behind this shock is simple – when you’re pedalling you want your suspension to be firm and supportive, when you suddenly hit rough terrain and encounter big hits you want your shock to absorb it with full-travel. The RE:Aktiv tuned shock allows this consistent control all the time; it’s NOT two separate settings; Trek use a Regressive Damping system which adjusts how reactive the shock is to different types of input. When you’re pedalling the shock is being subjected to low-velocity shock compression and the corresponding damping means the shock is firm; when you encounter a big hit there is a high-velocity compression and the corresponding damping means the shock opens fully to allow full compression. Clever and unique to Trek!

The Fox Performance Float EVOL RE:Aktiv shock tuned by the Trek Suspension Lab provides 130mm of travel…

It’s all about the details on this Trek Fuel EX  with another brilliant addition being their Mino Link featured on the rear swingarm. The Mino Link gives you the ability to fine tune the bike’s geometry to suit your preferred style of riding and the sort of terrain you typically ride; this link can be adjusted quickly and easily using just one tool. Flip the Mino Link back for a slacker headtube and a slightly lower bottom bracket giving you more stability for steep, fast and lose descents; if you’re spending more time negotiating tight, technical singletrack flip the Mino Link forward for a steeper headtube angle and a higher bottom bracket giving you faster, more-responsive steering.

The Mino Link allows you to adjust the Fuel EX 8’s geometry quickly and easily…

To match that sophisticated 130mm of suspension on the rear of the Fuel the EX 8 comes spec’d with Fox’s brilliant Rhythm 34, Float EVOL air spring fork with GRIP damper. Inspired from FOX’s MOTO background the GRIP damper uses their FIT sealed cartridge technology combined with an independent floating piston. GRIP allows excess oil to purge through specially designed ports at the top of the damper helping to maintain consistent damping.  There are three compression damping positions which can be easily adjusted on the top of the fork – Open, Medium and Firm; these Boost110 forks with 140mm of travel are built to take the big hits in their stride.

The Fox Rhythm 34 Float suspension fork with 140mm of travel is ready for the big hits…

The Rhythm 34 features an EVOL air spring and GRIP damper…

The Rhythm’s GRIP Damper is quick and easy to adjust on the fork crown…

Trek have included their own Bontrager Line dropper seatpost on the Fuel EX 8 XT and have spec’d the amount of travel specifically to the size of the frame; for bikes sized XS and S there’s 100mm of travel while sizes M, ML, L, XL and XXL all get droppers with 150mm of travel. The Bontrager Line is internally routed through the frame and is cable activated rather than hydraulic. A simple shifter is fitted to the underside of the handlebar on the left hand side and is compact, neat and easy to use without cluttering up your cockpit. If you’re going to ride this bike aggressively (and you will!) then the addition of a dropper seatpost is a must, enabling you to quickly get your saddle out of the way when you’re dropping into that steep techy descent.

Trek have spec’d their own internally-routed cable-activated Bontrager Line Dropper seat post…

The Bontrager Line dropper seat post is activated by a simple lever on the left of the handlebars…

As the name suggests, the Trek Fuel EX 8 XT comes spec’d with a Shimano XT groupset (there’s also an option to buy the same bike but with a Sram GX groupset if you prefer, for the same price). This latest Shimano XT groupset is 12-speed and features lots of innovative features that have been developed and further-refined from previous iterations. Key features of this 1x drivetrain include a 12-speed cassette with a huge range of gear ratios ranging from a tiny 10T cog to a massive 51T cog so there’s no chance of spinning out on the descents or running out of low gears on the climbs. The XT rear derailleur features a clutch to keep the chain in tension and preventing it from unshipping from the cassette or 30T chainring upfront.

The Fuel EX 8 XT’s 12-speed drivetrain consists of mainly XT componentry… 

You may have already spotted that, despite the Fuel EX 8 XT’s model name this isn’t strictly speaking a full XT groupset as Trek have fitted a Shimano SLX chainset; this is not an unusual practice as bike brands will often mix and match componentry to ensure that they can hit a particular price point and this case it’s VERY easy to see just how much bang for your buck you’re getting elsewhere on the bike. Despite flagging this up, it really is a minor point; the SLX chainset with a direct-mount chainring is almost equally as light and stiff as the equivalent Shimano XT chainset.

Trek have spec’d an SLX chainset rather than XT on the Fuel EX 8…

Gear shifting duties are taken care of by a 12-speed Shimano XT M8100 shifter…

The Shimano XT M8100 long cage derailleur can handle a 51T max cog…

A trail bike that’s as nimble and agile as this is going to get you up to speed pretty fast; with the potential to launch you into steep drops and tight turns at full chat you’ll quickly find yourself needing to scrub off speed to stay in control. Thankfully Trek have spec’d a pair of Shimano MT420 4-piston hydraulic brake callipers; these 4-pot brakes are more powerful than a typical 2-piston calliper that you will find on a more cross-country, less gravity-orientated mountain bike. These brakes are matched up with large Shimano 180mm rotors and user-friendly Shimano MT4100 brake levers for a dependable setup capable of handling the demands of aggressive gravity-assisted trail riding.

Shimano MT4100 levers place powerful braking capacity at your fingertips…

Powerful Shimano MT420 4-piston hydraulic disc callipers scrub off speed quickly and in control…

As you’d expect from a complete bike from Trek the Fuel EX 8 XT comes with a durable wheelset from Bontrager. The Bontrager Line Comp 30 front wheel features a Boost110 alloy hub with a 15mm thru axle built onto a tubeless-ready rim while the Bontrager Line Comp 30 rear wheel features a Boost148 alloy hub with a 12mm thru axle and a Shimano MicroSpline freehub (to accommodate that massive 10-51T cassette) built onto a tubeless-ready rim. Depending on which bike size you’re riding those wheels will either be 29” or 27.5” as we highlighted earlier, needless to say both options are pretty bombproof and have been spec’d with aggressive trail riding in mind.

29″ Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels shod with XR4 Team Issue tyres are tubeless ready…

Those capable Bontrager wheels come fitted with a pair of Bontrager XR4 Team Issue tyres. Trek have spec’d a 2.60” wide option upfront and a slightly slimmer 2.40” option at the rear; that extra volume on the front will help you plough through unpredictable terrain and hold traction on tight, lose turns. The XR4 Team Issue tyres feature Inner Strength sidewalls for enhanced protection from cuts to the sidewall inflicted by sharp rocks – a scenario not uncommon here in the Lake District, but wherever you ride this is a welcome addition.

The XR4 Team Issue tyres feature an aggressive tread pattern and Inner Strength sidewalls for enhanced protection… 

The Trek Fuel EX 8 XT is the trail bike for you if you’re looking for a versatile full suspension mountain bike that encourages you to ride harder and faster than you have previously in the pursuit of pure, laugh-out-loud fun with your mates. A ‘do it all mountain bike’ is a term that can be over used, however, in this case it’s most certainly true! Trek can back up this claim thanks to some clever design and engineering of the frame’s suspension platform, custom shock and refined trail-friendly geometry. The Trek Fuel EX 8 XT is equally at home at your favourite trail centre as it is on more natural terrain when you’re undertaking a marathon singletrack session and it climbs as well as it descends thanks to that clever RE:Aktiv shock. If you measure quality in performance per pound, then the Fuel EX 8 XT with its strong, durable alloy frame, plush active suspension and rather choice selection of componentry is one seriously good option.

The Trek Fuel EX 8 XT is a high-value 29er trail bike that’s packed full of tech…

The Trek Fuel EX 8 XT mountain bike is available now in-store and online…

Want to see more fast bikes? You can now see all of our featured bikes in one place over on Pinterest where you’ll find links to each of our Fast Bike Friday Blogs too!

Click the link below and search our archive…

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

 

 

 

We’ve got new bikes coming into stock every day at WHEELBASE, here’s just a selection of some of our latest arrivals from the World’s best brands…

 

 

We’ve got new bikes coming into stock every day at WHEELBASE, here’s just a selection of some of our latest arrivals from the World’s best brands…

 

 

 

 

 

This week for Fast Bike Friday we’re casting our eyes over the stunning Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 E-MTB designed for aggressive trail riding with 160mm of travel up front and 150mm at the rear. As well as being packed full of the latest tech with some very welcome extras there are two key elements to this E-MTB that stand out from the get-go; firstly the eOne Sixty 8000 features Shimano’s brilliant new Steps EP8 motor and 630Wh battery, secondly Merida have created this bike around the ‘Mullet Principle’, what’s a Mullet bike? We’ll explain later, first let’s look at the Motor that drives this super-fun E-MTB.

The stunning Merida eOne-Sixty is packed-full of tech…

The new Shimano EP8 motor noticeably more compact than its E8000 predecessor and is considerably more quiet; it boasts a significantly lighter weight overall and allows for cleaner integration into the E-MTB’s chassis. In use the motor is smoother with a more natural feeling to the pedalling assistance. Another key improvement is the EP8’s heat management allowing the motor to output max torque for longer without overheating. The Shimano Steps EP8 motor has a maximum torque output of 85Nm with the power delivery being direct but incredibly smooth to ensure you are in full control with a natural ride feeling. The motor features a Magnesium drive unit casing which is more compact than previous Shimano motors as well as being 300g lighter than their E8000 motor.

The Shimano EP8 motor is more compact than its predecessors…

Switching on the Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 with the button on the top tube brings the simple to understand black and white digital display to life. Once on you can toggle between the motor’s ‘Eco’ ‘Trail’ and ‘Boost’ modes using the slim ,ergonomic and easy to use switch located next to the left-hand grip.

The new SW-EM800-L assist switch includes a more ergonomic concave button profile…

To accompany their new Steps EP8 e-bike motor system Shimano have produced an equally compact, integrated battery for the downtube, freeing up bike brands to create even more svelte-looking e-bikes, as seen here on the Merida eOne-Sixty 8000. This 630Wh integrated battery is quick charging with a 50% charge taking 2.5 hours and a full charge taking 6 hours. The Merida engineers have cleverly added vents at the headtube of the eOne-Sixty to help keep your battery from overheating which is a nice touch.

The internal Shimano Shimano E8036 630Wh tube battery is super-compact enabling Merida to design a great handling chassis with good weight distribution…

There’s a lot more information available on the new Shimano Steps EP8 E-MTB motor system; we recently published a guide to the new motor which includes more details on how you can customise the settings of your own bike to tune the motor to behave in the best way that suits you and your riding. If you want to find out more please follow the link below; but for now let’s get back to the eOne-Sixty 8000 bike and find out more about that Mullet setup…

You can read a detailed review of the Shimano EP8 Motor by clicking the link below…

A brief history on mountain bike wheels sizes and how Merida have arrived at the Mullet option…

…So first off mountain bikes had 26” wheels which, in hindsight, were pretty awful! These wheels accelerated well but didn’t necessarily roll well over bigger obstacles on the trail. Then 29ers came along – 29” wheels helped more racey, cross-country focused mountain bikers to carry their speed over rough terrain and they proved really popular, however the 29er wheels were deemed too cumbersome and slow to accelerate for riders focused on more playful trail riding; the wheel choice for them quickly became the 27.5” option – basically the best of both worlds – faster rolling than a 26” wheel but still more agile and easier to accelerate than a 29” wheel.

For while that’s how things stayed with most hardtails and cross-country-focused MTB’s featuring 29” wheels and more playful trail and enduro-focused MTB’s featuring 27.5” wheels. The next significant thing that influenced what wheel size we rode was the advent of Pro Downhill Racers running 29” wheels! They did this because they recognised that they could carry their speed better through technical terrain and they were particularly popular with taller riders. All of the best bike brands were quick to tune the geometry of their bikes to accommodate these larger wheels and at the same time 29” wheels became lighter and more durable thanks to advances in wheel and tyre technology.

So then we all discovered that 29” wheels could be just as fun as 27.5” and in most cases could be quicker too and those bigger wheels started to feature on a large majority of trail and enduro MTB’s as well as on cross-country-focused hardtails. THEN some forward-thinking Downhill Pros (yes, we’ve got them to thank again) started experimenting with running a 29” wheel up front and a 27.5” wheel at the back – the Mullet setup was born! Why Mullet? Because it’s business upfront – big wheel, fast-rolling over obstacles, and party out back – a smaller wheel for a playful, slightly more agile bike; this setup also suited smaller riders such as Danny Hart.

Which brings us back to the Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 E-MTB and the Mullet configuration on this particular bike; Merida’s rationale for this setup has a lot to do with the extra demands of an electric mountain bike. What the designers and manufacturers have found is there’s considerably more force going through the rear wheel and the smaller 27.5” wheel copes better with these forces. Because of their clever Mullet setup the eOne Sixty 8000 is able to accelerate quickly and plough through technical terrain while coping with the significant forces applied from both the bike’s motor and the terrain that the bike is negotiating.

The Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 features a Mullet setup…

The Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 is spec’d with a 160mm travel Marzocchi Z1 Ebike+ suspension fork complete with iconic Bomber decals running down the fork legs; Marzocchi Bomber forks have a rich heritage in downhill mountain biking, harking back to more than twenty years ago, however this fork is ACTUALLY a Fox fork. Marzocchi is now part of Fox Racing and while this fork carries the Bomber name it actually benefits from a ton of Fox’s fork technology including their EVOL air spring and Grip damper.

The e-bike-specific Marzocchi Z1 Ebike+ fork has been built to meet the demands of aggressive E-MTB riding…

You can adjust the Marzocchi Z1 Ebike+ on the fly…

To balance out the suspension travel from the Marzocchi fork upfront Merida have fitted the eOne-Sixty 8000 with a Fox Float DPX2 Performance rear shock which has been E-MTB tuned and features 150mm of travel; a lot of the technology found in this Fox shock has been developed and used previously in Enduro racing so it’s built to withstand the sort of forces applied from riding an E-MTB off-road.

The Fox Float DPX2 Performance rear shock is E-MTB tuned…

Clever linkage placement combined with the capable Fox Float DPX2 Performance shock gives 150mm of rear wheel travel…

An E-MTB that’s been built for aggressive trail riding, with bags of suspension travel will no-doubt have you pushing the limits of your riding ability very quickly. With this in mind Merida have spec’d their own Expert TR cable-activated dropper post so that you’ll be able to get the saddle out of the way and move more freely around the bike when you hit those steep arse-over-the-back-of-the-bike descents. The dropper post is activated by a neat Shimano lever on the left of the handlebar; sitting under the bar away from the digital motor shifter it’s easy to activate in the heat of the moment but doesn’t get in the way when you’re toggling through the Shimano EP8 motor modes.

Merida have spec’d their own Expert TR cable-activated dropper post…

You probably won’t be surprised to see a bike of this calibre being spec’d with some of the best Shimano MTB components available. The eOne-Sixty 8000 features Shimano’s 12 speed XT groupset which couldn’t really be more simple to use and is extremely reliable, providing crisp, precise gear shifts every time regardless of what conditions you’re riding in.

A 12-Speed Shimano XT M8100 shifter takes care of gear-changing duties…

The 12-speed rear derailleur includes a clutch which is activated at the flick of a switch and adds tension to the chain to prevent it from unshipping during your ride (you only need to flick it off again if you’re removing your rear wheel for any reason). This system comes into its own when you’re blatting down rocky, loose terrain and has proved itself to be virtually bombproof on the sort of rocky, technical descents we have to negotiate here in the Lake District. Needless to say, this drivetrain has all the gear ratios you’ll need with a 34 tooth chainring upfront combined with a 12-speed cassette giving you an enormous spread of gears from 10T to a whopping 51T. Once you become accustomed to selecting the right motor mode in unison with your gear changes you’ll quickly find that you can ride almost anything!

A 12-speed Shimano XT RDM8100 Shadow+ rear derailleur with clutch keeps gear changes precise…

As E-MTB’s continue to evolve and bike brands offer more powerful motors, increasingly durable componentry and ever-more-capable suspension this type of bike inevitably gets faster and faster. To keep you in control and able to ride out of steep, technical terrain Merida have spec’d a pair of Shimano SLX 4-piston hydraulic brake calipers to enable you to scrub off speed quickly and effectively; these 4-piston calipers are combined with whopping 203mm rotors that give a bigger braking surface and help dissipate heat when you’re breaking hard.

Powerful Shimano SLX 4-Piston hydraulic brakes enable you to scrub off speed quickly and effectively…

The powerful rear Shimano SLX 4-Piston brake caliper… 

As we’ve highlighted already we’ve got a Mullet wheel mash-up here; the rear 27.5” wheel features a Shimano SLX 148x12mm Boost hub laced to a tough 36 hole Merida Expert TR alloy rim with a super-wide 29mm inner width which is also tubeless-ready. This bomb-proof rear tyre is shod with a 2.5” wide Maxxis Aggressor Tyre which has been designed to provide loads of bite, traction and control even when you’ve got your EP8 motor pinned.

The super-tough 27.5″ rear wheel with 148x12mm Boost spacing and heavy-duty Maxxis Agressor tyre can handle the extra demands of this all-out E-MTB…

Upfront there’s a matching Shimano SLX 110x15mm wide front hub laced to a 32 hole 29” Merida Expert TR tubeless-ready rim. The front wheel is fitted with a 2.5mm wide Maxxis Assegai tyre with a really aggressive square-profile tread pattern that gives plenty of traction and control on tight, loose turns so that when you throw your bike into a turn at full speed you can be confident that you’re going to ride out of it (with a huge smile on your face!).

That fast-rolling 29″ front wheel features a super-wide 29mm inner-width tubeless ready rim shod with  chunky Maxxis Assegai tyre…

The Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 features a decent own-brand Merida Expert CC saddle that will stand up to the rigours of off-road riding and the occasional tumble. Not ones to miss an opportunity to include a particularly user-friendly addition Merida have included a small surprise stowed underneath the saddle.

The Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 E-MTB is packed full of tech and user-friendly details; what’s this under the saddle?!…

The Merida multi-tool is stored in a small rubberised case underneath the saddle so it’s quick and easy to access when you need it and is protected from the elements too. This small tool is a great little addition and is one less thing you have to remember to pack each time you head out on a ride.

There’s a pretty slick little multi-tool stowed away under the saddle…

If you’ve got a powerful 630Wh battery powering your E-MTB motor it makes sense to run a bright front light off it too; this is exactly what Merida have done. A Lezyne E-Bike Power STVZO E115 light is fitted as standard and features a German STVZO optimised lens with flood and long-range beam. The high-performance always-on LED delivers 310 lumens of light and is durable thanks to its heat-dissipating CNC machined aluminium construction while its auto day/night system extends battery run time.

An E-MTB with its own power source may as well include its own front light as standard! – The LEZYNE E-BIKE POWER STVZO E115…

The 310 Lumens Lezyne front light is a great addition…

Merida have also spec’d a rechargeable USB REAR Light CG-214RG on the rear…

The Merida eOne Sixty 8000 is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when some of the best bike brands in the bike industry work together to create a modern E-MTB. Merida have taken the excellent Shimano Steps EP8 motor and battery system and have integrated it into a really fun, capable electric mountain bike that features carefully selected components that will enhance your riding experience every time you throw your leg over the bike. The trail-friendly geometry, large amount of plush suspension travel and that inspired ‘Mullet Wheel’ configuration all hint towards just how much fun you’re going to have on this bike. Blast down your favourite trail-centre black-run before heading back up with ease thanks to that brilliant, compact Shimano EP8 motor.

The Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 E-MTB is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when some of the best brands in the bike industry work together…

Want to see more fast bikes? You can now see all of our featured bikes in one place over on Pinterest where you’ll find links to each of our Fast Bike Friday Blogs too!

Click the link below and search our archive…

Blog written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent