An engaging, fun and most of all versatile modern trail bike.

So, the verdict from the Singletrack team on our ONE-TWENTY 700. Over a lengthy test period, they looked at all aspects of our short-travel trail bike and established how suitable it is to turn it into an even more trail-capable machine.

One of the key aspects they highlighted was the bike's "excellent geometry, impressive rear suspension and a spec sheet that doesn't really need much, if anything, swapping out (until stuff has worn out past the point) and offers very good value for money all things considered". All this led to the ONE-TWENTY 700 being a 'great little trailbike", that climbs well, is "quick and nimble" offers "plenty of support from the rear for hopping and popping" and makes "fast, swoopy singletrack is a particular highlight".

The Singletrack team also made some small spec changes to see what difference they would make and how the ONE-TWENTY would perform as a more 'aggro trail bike', i.e. fitting a 140 mm fork, higher riser bars and some chunkier tyres and were impressed with the end result.

The bike retained "the same good climbing manners" while the higher front end added "an extra element of confidence and control for fast and rough or steep tracks" providing the rider with impressive trail+ capabilities and "massive amounts of fun".     

Their final verdict:
"The Merida 120 is an engaging, fun and most of all versatile modern trail bike. It makes a great bike for proper 'trail' riding – long climbs, miles of singletrack and a bit of tech – and has well thought out, future proof geometry. With a few small changes though it can be turned into a more descent focused bike without sacrificing the liveliness and character that make it such a good bike to ride.

It feels well suited to a lot of UK riding and has decent mud clearance, can fit a big bottle, an overall spec that is well thought out (with the SRAM DB8 brakes being a particular highlight), and although I'm still to be convinced by headtube cable routing, it's a bike I'd happily have in the shed. Not everyone will want to buy a bike and swap bits round, but this test just shows that with a few component changes you can pretty much have two different bikes. Horses for courses."

To read the full review, please click here.   

For the full specification and frame features of the new ONE-TWENTY 700, please click the link underneath DISCOVER THE BIKE.

To find out more about the bike, including key features, R&D and design thinking, as well as the intended use, please check the micro page here. 

For the full ONE-TWENTY offering, please click here.

Note: The bike tested was the MY2024 ONE-TWENTY 700.