First Ride Review: The New Merida LITHOS
Has Merida Built The Ultimate Full-Power Enduro eMTB?
When a new flagship eMTB arrives, there’s always plenty of marketing material explaining what it’s supposed to do.
The real question is simple:
What happens when you actually ride it?
Having now spent time aboard the new Merida LITHOS, we’re pleased to report that the reality lives up to the promise.
In fact, after our first ride, we’d go as far as saying the LITHOS might be Merida’s most complete full-power eMTB to date.
First Impressions
The first thing that strikes you about the LITHOS is how modern it feels.
The taller front end immediately gives more confidence than the outgoing eONE-SIXTY, creating a riding position that feels natural on steep terrain and encourages you to attack technical sections rather than cautiously pick your way through them.
It’s not a dramatic change.
It’s simply a better one.
The bike feels centred, balanced and comfortable from the first few minutes on the trail.
Fast… But Still Fun
The biggest compliment we can give the LITHOS is that it manages to feel incredibly fast without sacrificing the playful character that makes a bike enjoyable to ride.
Many long-travel eMTBs become incredibly capable but lose some of their personality in the process.
The LITHOS avoids that trap.
Yes, it’s stable.
Yes, it’s confidence inspiring.
Yes, it carries speed exceptionally well.
But crucially, it still wants to be ridden aggressively.
It remains easy to pop off trail features, easy to place accurately and surprisingly lively considering the amount of suspension travel and capability on offer.
Merida talks extensively about momentum in their design philosophy.
After riding it, we completely understand why.
The bike simply encourages speed.
The Lines Between The eONE-SIXTY And eONE-EIGHTY Have Never Been More Blurred
One of our biggest takeaways from the ride is how effectively the LITHOS bridges the gap between the outgoing eONE-SIXTY and eONE-EIGHTY platforms.
Historically, the eONE-SIXTY appealed to riders looking for a versatile all-rounder, while the eONE-EIGHTY targeted those wanting maximum descending capability.
The LITHOS feels like the point where those two worlds collide.
It’s every bit as capable as you’d expect from a long-travel enduro machine, but it never feels cumbersome or overbuilt.
For many riders, it may well be the sweet spot between the two.
It Hides Its Weight Exceptionally Well
One of the most impressive characteristics of the LITHOS is how light it feels on the trail.
To be clear, this isn’t an SL e-bike.
It’s a full-power Bosch-equipped machine with serious suspension travel and serious intentions.
Yet somehow it rides much closer to an SL bike than many full-power eMTBs we’ve tested.
Direction changes happen naturally.
The bike responds quickly to rider input.
The front wheel lifts easily.
The bike never feels like it’s fighting against you.
Merida’s work on geometry, balance and frame compliance has clearly paid off because the LITHOS disguises its weight remarkably well.
It’s one of those bikes that feels lighter once you’re moving than the specification sheet suggests.
Continental Tyres Deserve Credit
It’s easy to overlook tyres when discussing a new bike launch, but the Continental tyre specification deserves genuine praise.
The grip levels are excellent.
More importantly, they provide confidence.
From the first corner onwards, the tyres encourage you to trust the bike and push harder.
For a bike that’s designed around carrying speed and momentum, that’s a crucial part of the package.
It’s a specification choice that genuinely enhances the riding experience.
The Battery Options Change The Bike’s Personality
One of our favourite features is the modular battery system.
The ability to run either the 600Wh or 800Wh battery creates genuine flexibility depending on how and where you ride.
Want maximum range for huge days in the mountains?
Run the 800Wh battery.
Want a lighter, more agile feel for shorter rides?
Fit the 600Wh battery and instantly remove around 900g from the bike.
This isn’t just a range decision.
It genuinely allows riders to tailor the bike’s character to suit their priorities.
That’s a level of versatility we suspect many riders will appreciate.
Build Quality Is Exceptional
Build quality has long been one of Merida’s strengths.
The LITHOS somehow manages to move the benchmark forward again.
Every aspect of the frame feels considered.
The protection is comprehensive.
The details are thoughtful.
The finish quality is excellent.
The removable battery system feels robust.
The frame protection is extensive.
The integrated tools and service features demonstrate that the engineers were thinking about ownership as much as outright performance.
It feels like a premium product in every sense.
Cable Routing Done Right
One feature we particularly like is Merida’s flexible cable routing system.
Too many manufacturers force riders into one solution.
Merida gives you a choice.
If you love the ultra-clean appearance of headset cable routing, the LITHOS delivers exactly that.
Pair it with a wireless dropper post and the result is an exceptionally clean-looking bike.
However, if you prioritise ease of servicing and maintenance, you can choose alternative routing options that make workshop life significantly easier.
A slight compromise in appearance perhaps.
A major gain in serviceability.
Most importantly, the choice belongs to the rider.
That’s a smart solution.
What Would We Change?
Very little.
But as with most bikes leaving 2 Wheels Only, we’d probably make a few personal touches.
Cockpit
The standard cockpit does the job perfectly well.
However, if we’re being picky, it lacks some of the premium visual appeal the rest of the bike delivers.
Our first upgrade would likely be a Burgtec stem paired with a Burgtec 38mm Rise handlebar.
Not because the originals don’t work.
Simply because the Burgtec setup adds that finishing touch many riders are looking for.
Dropper Post
Merida’s dropper posts have improved significantly in recent years and reliability has become far less of a concern than it once was.
That said, a premium bike naturally invites premium finishing touches.
For us, a RockShox Reverb AXS or Fox Transfer Neo would complete the package beautifully.
The wireless functionality complements the clean frame design perfectly while reinforcing the premium feel of the overall build.
Early Verdict
After our first ride, we’re genuinely impressed.
The LITHOS feels like a bike that has been developed by riders who understand what aggressive eMTB riders actually want.
It’s incredibly capable without feeling cumbersome.
Stable without feeling dull.
Fast without sacrificing fun.
Perhaps most importantly, it manages to feel more agile and playful than many bikes in this category while still delivering the confidence and composure expected from a full-power 170mm enduro machine.
We’ll reserve final judgement until we’ve spent more time on it, but based on our initial experience, Merida may well have produced one of the most exciting full-power eMTBs currently available.