LONG-TERM Rides MBUK

JCW’S MERIDA EONE-SIXTY 8000 £5,850

The e-bike’s been a lockdown lifesaver for JCW

For the past few months, I’ve been alternating between riding my trusty Orange Clockwork 100 hardtail, to keep my fitness up, try to tire my kids out (emphasis on the word ‘try’) and avoid the temptation to tackle anything too gnarly under lockdown, and the Merida, to cover more ground on my own and make the world feel a little less closed-in. This has really put the pros and cons of each of them into perspective.

The eOne-Sixty feels like a lot of bike in comparison to the hardtail, but as soon as it’s pointed downhill the plush, well-balanced suspension and stabilising effect of the extra weight mean it eats up everything in its path. Climbs are a breeze as long as they aren’t too technical or steep (more on that below), and Boost mode really gets you flying along flatter