Shimano EP8 Motor Review in 2021 Merida eONE-SIXTY 

As soon as I see your video I start to watch it and enjoy it from the beginning to the end. A very good job, once again. A pleasure to listen to you and watch the images. There can be only thumbs up with this kind of work. Thanks. From Almeria in Spain

Great review as always!! Rattling bikes are so annoying though, no matter how good they are. Total deal breaker for me personally.

Wow, the video quality and cinematography are amazing. You're presentation style is the best I've seen out of all the biking channels. Wish I could give this more one like. The bike is stunning. The motor clatter is also present in the Bosch, I'm curious if this has something to do with the motors being downsized.

The go to channel for some honest reviews. EMBN take note! Still happy with my Canyon Spectral on with the E8000 motor. I can live with the motor noise rather than put up with a rattle when going downhill. I don't understand how Bosch and Shimano think that customers will put up with the trade-off between more power but more noise. I personally don't require more power but the bigger battery is a plus. The bike does look nice.

oh my goodness ! talk about cat amongst the pigeons ! Comes across as a superb package all round , such a great review Rob . With both Bosch and Shimano upping the stakes in the motor department and Brose refining theirs , seems like it's never been a better time to dip a toe into the Ebike world !

“It’s like a fighter pilot” you can feel the excitement! How can you beat that! You can’t, it’s bad ass! The bike looks amazing and even though I own a levo I’m excited that ebikes are moving forward. The head light would really be handy as I ride out of the woods at dark a lot. Great video! I appreciate how you are fair in your reviews and are an advocate of the sport more than just the products. Well done!

Great work Rob looks like a great new motor..

Excellent review again. The Merida and Focus bikes you’ve reviewed recently look so good. Appreciate the honesty of what’s good and bad on the bikes you test, really helps people to make an informed purchase.

Great review. I.have just placed a deposit on the 10k and should be here in a month or so. My first e bike. Can't wait.

Hi Rob thanks 4 these great videos as I need to watch them because any bike dealer around here will only let me test ride a bike around the block and that's it ,so now that I know that nasty noise will be there while freewheeling downhill I will never never get one as it would annoy me tremendously thanks for the honest review.

Just picked my e160 up on Saturday from Lancaster,,, lakes bike shop absolutely brilliant especially with eddy current tyres on it 😀 👌

Yo! Finally! EP8 released. Heres my honest review. What you think? Some SOLID improvements!

I think I'm gonna stay with my e8000 for a bit longer. Great video though!! Appreciate it!

Great review Rob. I think your reviews are the most unbiased and the production quality is excellent.

Hi Rob, another good review and this looks like a great bike! Seems like the new Shimano motor is like the Bosch - powerful, quiet on the climb, rattly on the descent, low drag (my Shimano E7000 is sooo heavy to pedal once the power drops out!) So, big question - how does this compare to the new Cube Stereo 160 that you reviewed recently, or the new Haibike Allmnt that you recently raved about? If you had to buy one of these 3, which would it be? So many good bikes coming out at the moment, and it's just not possible to test most of them before buying, so your reviews and comparisons are really helpful! It's a tough, job, but someone's got to do it, eh? :-)

At least YOU tell us the truth!!! On EMBN it all good news show!!! Thanks for your honest opinion👊🏻

I've got exactly the same Merida. In overall quite a nice bike, but cable routing was awful at first (cables being cut), they had to do some re-routing in order to "bypass" the headset. The rear SLX hub also failed at some point. Engine rattling is not a concern at all, it's just like that and I don't care. So far 2200 km in tough conditions (lots of elevation), the engine still running without any issues. The bike is really playful and easy to jump with, however it's not a racing bicycle, as compared to my analogue SC Megatower. Still I don't regret having bought it and enjoy every ride.

Wow Merida are really smashing it.

Absolutely brilliant review rob looks like a amazing bike makes me wanna trade in my levo but that noise not sure I could put up with it

Great video and review, thank you. One thing that does concern me is the battery release via the thru axle tool, seems a tad easy for someone to pinch it? Is there a key option perhaps?

Ciao Rob, great review. I'm using this bike and I feel that the rear triangle is a little bit flexy when riding aggressively. Did you feel the same? Another question, what do you use as a kickstand, looks cool and easy to carry in the backpack... Thanx and keep on delivering nice videos.

I have been waiting all this time for you to test the latest motors and ebikes and you finally did it!!! Nice job Rob!!! I really enjoy all your videos! Now I would like to ask you, I was really fascinated by the Merida e one Sixty and have been expecting the motor update but I really like the new Haibike all mtn 7.0 with the Yamaha motor. So, how do these two bikes compare in terms of motor efficiency, power and noise, as well as overall riding? Also, in terms of noise, is that rattling noise louder than that on the Bosch motor? Thank you for your effort and time for testing the newest on emtb! Keep up the good work!!!

Great video, like the fact that you always look so excited 😝. I'll stick with the e8000 cause is awesome really and quiet. Also, I don't feel it drags after 25km or when you stop pedalling like the bosch motor. I am already satisfied with the steps app and if they update it, it will be even better. Cheers

Great work Rob. Looks like the EP8 is a significant upgrade to the E8000 & looks like the bolts are in the same place so potentially backwards compatible? Pity about the clunking. Would love to really know why they could not sort that out!

Hey Rob Rides Emtb! Cool new Shimano motor! Smaller and lighter are always better! My guess is that will be the last update as they continue to design the unified motor gearbox combo! Yamaha is the last motor manufacturer to do major redesign so let's hope they will release it soon! Life is wonderful because my childhood dreams of an electric skateboard and electric bike have become reality! Ride ride ride!

You’re getting me excited for this bike. Looking to get my first eMTB but I’ll only use it in the Netherlands, i.e. as flat as a trail can possibly be. So my excitement really gets me nowhere.... Great video!

Thanks for this Rob! Been waiting for this new motor!!

Wow another amazing review done professionally from Rob, thanks enjoy your reviews mate, Looks an amazing bike for sure, thanks for highlighting all the features, Ebikes are moving on well! Thanks again

Another great review, Rob. Thanks. Merida's shop finder shows the closest shop to the US east coast is Queensland, Australia! Guess we won't be seeing this bike around here (:D). Cool machine, tho.

Top video as always Mr Rob. Why do these companies send products to market knowing people like yourself will find legitimate faults with them. Rush, rush, rush, push, push, push!

Great Video. eMtb are just getting better, 2021 looks to be a good year for these bikes.

Seeking your opinion pls: Do you think it is comfortable for commuting? I’m thinking more of the 700 model because of my budget

Great vid again! This new motor plus the rest of the Shimano group set does make the case for being somebody’s 1st £6k e-mtb. I bought my 2020 Turbo Levo for lots of reasons, but as you so astutely identify, at these prices and with things changing all the time, you need real confidence just now that you won’t get jealous of the next bike after 2 months. There’s nothing on the market yet I’d trade up to from my Levo - I’d be loosing all that knowledge I have 1500km in to ownership and I don’t see an upgrade yet to trade away all that experience with a great bike. But if I was buying for the first time now at this price point, I’d definitely test this one (and we all know that leads to a sale to serious clients!). All MTBs make a lot of noise if you ride them to their specs, so I’m not bothered by this new noise you mention.

The limitations of noiseless gear design. We want quiet motors, but to achieve it Shimano must have loosened mesh of the gear cogs (backlash they call it), so they rattle. Always compromises in engineering. Go back to tight gears and learn to enjoy the whine? Or revert to quiet Brose style belts and put up with them breaking.. decisions, decisions. My motor whines and I like it.

Just pulled the trigger and bought one, great video cheers rob

Can you tell if the rattling is coming from within the motor or the frame? Also it would be interesting compare couple different bike manufactures to see if they all have the rattling sound.

Another excellent video Rob! I personally couldn't stand the EP8 motor rattle and hope they correct it in future releases.

Great review as always. Rode my first emtb the other week. The promo blurb said it was 'silent'. Far from it. Glad to see improvements in that area. Although I would like an ebike, i enjoy the solitude and sounds of the bush too much to trade for the whine of an engine. Guess I will be waiting a few years

Freakin hell! 6000 bugs and this thing rattles? an absolute NO GO! dont they ride their own bikes before selling them?!

Hi Rob love the reviews.. Would you rate this over an orbea wild h20??

Great review. The decending noise is a deal breaker... And is it really the quietest on the market Rob? Have you tried the Rocky mountain altitude powerplay? The motor is silent... Not quite, silent. But to be fair there are extra cogs that do make a little bit of noise when peddling on the rockey, I would say sounds like a mini roller coaster almost when pedaling in the really really quiet area

The motor clattle noise wouldn't be a problem the 6 grand is thou, but what a beautiful bike and a quiet climber compared with the Bosch, think shimano have done it, let's see over time how reliable it is.

How does this compare to a VT Decoy or Specialized Kenevo? I recently had my Specialized Enduro Expert stolen. It was such an amazing bike and I felt like I could never push it hard or fast enough. I would take it on 70 mile rides and ride it for 10 hours or push it hard for a couple hours of agressive trail riding. The only thing I ever wished out of it was that I had more juice to go faster and harder. I think an EMTB might be just what I'm looking for. My Enduro was an XL so I need a bike that inspires confidence for a tall rider. The VT Decoy looked like a good fit for me because of the value proposition but the Kenevo looked like the geometry might be something I'm more familiar with. Thanks for all these videos by the way. They are very inspiring and are motivating me to scrape some money together to get out there and start riding again.

Great review rob :) . but im still gona keep my INSTINCT BC POWERPLAY Tho 😀. I really would like to see you reviewing on of the Powerplay models👍

Not commented for a while Rob. Great vid! New Shimano motor looks good, not sure about the motor rattle though 😬 great colour too 👍🏻👍🏻

The EP8 on my vitus E-sommet dont rattle at all on the downhils so is it the motor or the bike brand ?

Bought the 10k steps 8000 a few months ago really stoked with the bike. Thus motor is awesome upgrade hopefully when mine goes bang i can replace it although mine us super quiet downhill that i dont want to give up.

Thanks for pointing out the engine rattle. I have a Giant Trance E+ and I hear a rattle in those same conditions. Must be my engine.

Compared to the tested Haibike with the Yamaha Motor, which one is your preferred? Thxs for the great reviews👍

Great review! Love the colour! What size is it? Large?

Thanks for the great review. So do you like this better than the Levo?

Looks like Merida hurried up this carbon bike just to have the newer motor there are some quirks. I believe merida and specialized are made at the same factory.

Top review Rob , decoy has a competitor for my 💰 . Love the simple look of this bike and if it’s as good as you say then it’s priced fairly # Nicely summed up at the end 👍 thanks

Rob, I would love to see a review of the new commencal meta power 🙂

6000! Bugs for SLX- Parts and RS- Suspension!? ;-)))

Another great video thanks rob. Are you planning to see how long the new shimano battery lasts with the new motor. Be nice to see how efficient it is 👍🏻

great video , make want to buy one but I already have an ebike. You own a Levo SL and a Levo. Which e-bike is your 1st choice to go for single track ride? Levo SL, Levo or the Merida with the new shimano motor?

First - glass of vino and waiting on my levo (blown motor 5k) - nice one Shimano discreet motor but 23KG?? Carbon?? But as always like a vertical shock!!

Great an informative vid as always Rob! I love the size of the new motor. Man I really like their bikes but Idk how I feel about a mullet set-up.

Thx Rob. Lovely review. Well done

Rob, you mentioned in the intro about less drag. Can you expand - how does it compare to the E8000 once you hit the limiter?

Oh no rattling 🤔 why does it have to be noisy I’ve been waiting for this motor

Can you make a video about how this motor current standing among newer dji, pinion, bafang and bosch? I wonder how relevant shimano still is among its competitors.

Hi Rob! Could you please tell me which pedals you used in the test?! I'm looking for good pedals for trailbiking, allmountain and Downhill. Greetings, Tobias

wow, that motor looks really small, closer to the SL than the Brose, right ? it's only made look bigger by that piece of the frame the rear suspension is attached to. does it have a belt ? its so much easier to solve that noise you get when you stop pedaling than the noise the actual motor makes, i would not worry about that. looks like specialized will have to up their game for the next full levo, with this motor the competition can now have a better bike until the summer of 2021

Good review but how does this bike fit on the fun/value for money chart you have use for other bikes?

Hi Rob good vid as usual 👍.. looks a nice bike.. I'd be that guy who lost is tools off rear axle on first ride lol.. im guessing the lights don't use much power..

Thanks for another great informative review Rob. With regard to the rattle, is it possible it’s coming from the battery? My eone forty 8000 developed a loose battery with the rattle only apparent going downhill. On checking it out I found this is quite common in the one forty’s and one sixtys. There is an adjustment at the top of the battery compartment that fixes the problem.

Nice video. Strange how both the last gen of Bosch and Shimano have this rating noise... Due to the way to decrease drag after the 25km/h limit?

Hi Rob, I think regarding your comment about learning to live with the rattling motor when freewheeling.. tbh I don’t think that’s acceptable.. if you bought a new car and it started rattling when you come off the gas coasting to traffic lights for example, you would soon have it back to the supplying dealer. Once again your reviews top notch and to the point... you’ve saved me cash in the past and you’ve done it again 😁😂😂

Had the rattling on my trek with the Bosch motor had to get rid got the e8000 on my Vitus vxr, mint no probs was looking forward to seeing the new motor by Shimano but I can't do rattles it's had enough with chain slap or cables rattling let see if anyone else picks up on this ???

That's a shame about the rattling. Thought being shimano they would have that sorted.. just a thought , when you said it was a carbon frame that might be amplifying the noise.maybe alloy framed model could be quiter?

Hi Rob, how do you think it compares to the 2021 Focus Jam2 that you reviewed a few weeks ago?

I have Merida 120 400 full suspension 29 ❤

ciao , ottimo test , mi confermi la compatibilità del nuovo motore con il vecchio . ?? si puo' fare un upgrade ??

I prefer the Bosch personally, except for that old clumsy control and display. I wish bosh could take more inspiration from shimano in this area.

Excellent Rob...cheers...

Hey Rob, just a question. Iam 193 cm tall ( legs 94 cm). Do you think, size xl would be comfortable for me? 70% Tour, 20 % Trail, 10 % Downhill. Do you recommend the eone-sixty or -fourty? Greetings

Sweet bike ..... Sweet review!

Thanks - great post Rob - what else does the App offer?

Ps: you have to test the new Scott ransom eride! It’s mind blowing good

It sounds like Bosch now :D I suspect pedal kickback is the cause of the coasting sound.

I like my noisy E8000. Pedestrians get out of my way. Smaller/lighter aint always better. Durability and reliability are what count.

Nice review thanks.Is the walk assist response any better now than the E8000.

Hi Rob! Wich size do you suggest for a 183 cm guy? I actually Ride an XL 485 mm Reach Devinci spartan 29. Thanx a lot!!!

I think Shimano are addressing the knocking sound if it can be fixed.

I wonder if the carbon frame amplifies the downhill noise compared to an aluminium frame?

Rob so which is better? Bosch CX4 upgraded, or new Shimano EP8?

Why do you always forget about the wolk mode review? On the E8000 with a mechanical rear derailleur, it was very bad, only the swap to Di2 saved it.

1 Rattle is big no no 2, 23kg heavy , good review

Rob, if you could by a previous high end model with the steps 8000 or a mit range bike with the New Ep8 what would you recommend. Especially if you want to ride this year 😆😅

Would you say they rattle is louder on the EP8 then the rattle on the Bosh gen 4? In any case loving the customizable software quiteness and other improvements !

I dont like that tiny display. Don't understand why the motor would rattle when coasting.

Now is this motor rattle specific to this bike. I’ve not come across any other vids talking about motor rattle on the Marin trail e2.

Hey Rob ... is the motor also rattling when you are pedaling in the "Off" position or pedaling above 25 Km/Hr ?

Are you sure that rattle is from the Motor Rob? I doubt Shimano would release a motor that rattles? Much more likely to be something on the bike. Cables against carbon frame? Battery not tight enough? That clip on plastic cover?

How bout the interchangeability, and can the older bikes get the bigger batteries?

Hi Rob, did the bike feel big enough for you? I'm 6'4 and I worry that at 480mm the reach isn't long enough?

I would almost put up with the rattle just to ditch the ticking time bomb Brose motor in my Levo.

Fantastic review Rob, I was gutted about the motor rattle, nearly put my my 2019 levo turbo expert up for sale, then heard the rattle....