This week’s incoming tester is the Merida Espresso / -L 500 EQ, and clumsy name aside, at first glance it looks every inch the quality product that we’d come to expect from one of the few bike brands that actually makes its own bikes from top to bottom.
By that, we mean that Merida owns its own manufacturing processes, so there’s very little (if any) buying in of third-party expertise, which often can impact on the price to you, the consumer, when it comes to buying the bike in a shop. This build of the Espresso will set you back £2,650.
The -L 500 EQ sits right in the middle of the Espresso range, with model numbers ranging from 200-900 to demarcate the kit the frame comes fitted with, while the EQ portion indicates the inclusion of mudguards, Abus lock, an integrated light system and rear luggage rack (in which the rear light is neatly incorporated).
At this level, the motor is a Shimano Steps E6100 model that generates 60nm of torque (at the upper end this goes up to the E8000 model with 70nm output, while the lower models have the E5000 model outputting 40nm torque). It’s fitted with a 504wh E8010-spec battery, which is only downgraded to a 418wh capacity model if you opt for the base-level 200 models.
Merida’s alloy Espresso -L alloy frame gives a comfortable geometry for both city and touring rides, and the Suntour NEX E25 fork provides 63mm of travel in case the going gets rough.
The gear system is Shimano’s 10-speed Deore, with a rear derailleur designed with the brand’s Shadow technology, effectively pulling it more in-board and out of the way of potential impacts which could come in handy in an urban environment. Hydraulic MT200 brakes supply the stopping power.
The wheels are build up using Shimano MT400 hubs, and Merida itself laces these to its own Comp TK rims. Those have a 20mm internal diameter to support some 42mm Continental Ride Tour tyres.
With Merida being a builder of bikes, it comes as no surprise that the finishing kit is pretty much all from its stable too. That goes for the flat 660mm-wide handlebars, stem, headset, seatpost and saddle, which is also designed with comfort in mind.
All in, the Espresso / -L 500 EQ comes in at 23.6kg with a large sized-frame and including all the EQ-spec gubbins. That’s actually reasonably light for such a well-stocked urban e-bike, and we’re looking forward to getting out and about on it and seeing what’s what.
