The Shimano Steps 8000 motor offers three modes – eco/trail/boost – we like this system a lot as it translates very well to real world situations. In a typical enduro style day out taking in several descents Eco is used most of the time on the flatter ground, trail for the steeper banks and boost only really as a way of pulling you out of a seriously steep or gnarled out climb. After a few rides on pre- production motors we look forward to some proper time on the real thing, the production version 8000.

The durability of displays is something that’s really been bugging us on a lot of emtb’s and many are very susceptible to damage when falls are common on a bike made for this type of riding. It’ll be interesting to see how the under bar lever manages over extended time, we think it could be the best system so far.

One of the biggest problems with some of the Bosch motors has been motor malfunction when the small front sprocket gets clogged with mud. This has happened on a number of bikes although interestingly the Bosch powered Cannondale Moterra and Moustache Samedi with front guards similar to motocross and trials bikes this has not happened so much. Both the Yamaha and Brose motors on Haibike and Specialized feature large front chainrings where there is simply no issue. Similarly here with the Merida we hope this to be the case.