Merida has launched the LITHOS, a new carbon-framed Bosch-powered e-enduro bike designed to sit at the top of the brand’s electric mountain bike range.

The new Merida LITHOS is aimed at serious enduro riders and racers, with a long-travel full-suspension frame, Bosch Performance Line CX and CX-R motor options, removable battery compatibility and geometry built around speed, stability and control on technical terrain.

While Merida already has Bosch-powered electric mountain bikes in its range, including the eONE-EIGHTY and eONE-SIXTY SL, the LITHOS moves into a more focussed e-enduro space. The company describes the bike as being built around three main pillars: reliability, durability and versatility. That may sound like familiar launch language, but the details behind the bike suggest Merida has put real emphasis on long-term ownership, service access and rider choice, rather than chasing headline motor figures alone.

It also arrives at an interesting time for the eMTB market. With newer systems such as DJI Avinox putting huge power numbers into the spotlight, Merida has clearly chosen Bosch for a different reason: support, reliability and global backup. For riders spending serious money on a carbon e-enduro bike, that may be just as important as peak output.

A new flagship e-enduro bike from Merida

The LITHOS uses a CF3 carbon fibre frame and sits as Merida’s new flagship e-MTB. It is built for hard, technical riding, with 170mm of fork travel and up to 174mm of rear wheel travel in its standard mixed-wheel configuration.

That puts it firmly into long-travel e-enduro territory. This is not an all-round trail eMTB or a comfort-focused adventure bike. It is designed for riders who want to carry speed through steep, rough and unpredictable terrain, whether that means racing, uplift days, natural enduro trails or big mountain-style riding.

Merida says the suspension kinematics are developed from the award-winning eONE-SIXTY SL and eONE-EIGHTY. The LITHOS uses a flexstay suspension design, removing the seatstay pivot to reduce the number of bearings and simplify maintenance. The frame is also designed to work with both air and coil shocks, which will appeal to riders who want to tune the bike towards racing, bike park use or repeated hard impacts.

If you are comparing this with other long-travel electric mountain bikes, our guide to the best full-suspension electric mountain bikes is a good place to understand where the new LITHOS fits into the wider market.

Bosch CX and CX-R power

Merida has partnered with Bosch for the LITHOS, with models using either the Bosch Performance Line CX or the lighter CX-R drive unit. According to Merida’s launch material, the system offers up to 120Nm of torque and 750W of maximum power.

Those figures are attention-grabbing, but Merida’s messaging is less about chasing raw output and more about dependability. The brand specifically points to Bosch’s service network, reliability record and worldwide support as reasons for choosing the system.

That is a sensible angle for a bike like this. E-enduro riders put huge loads through motors, batteries, frames and drivetrains. A powerful motor is useful, but so is being able to get diagnostics, warranty support and replacement parts through established dealers. For UK riders who travel for riding or racing, that support network could be a meaningful advantage.

The battery system is modular. Riders can run either an 800Wh Bosch PowerTube battery for maximum range or a smaller 600Wh battery to save weight. Merida says moving from the 800Wh battery to the 600Wh version saves around 900g, which could make a noticeable difference to handling, especially for lighter riders or those who prioritise a more agile feel over outright range.

PowerMore range extender compatibility is also part of the platform, giving riders another option for big days out.

Mixed-wheel or full 29er setup

The Merida LITHOS comes as standard with a mixed-wheel setup, using a 29in front wheel and 27.5in rear wheel. That is now a familiar e-enduro formula, giving riders the rollover and stability of a bigger front wheel with extra clearance and agility at the back.

However, Merida has also built in the option to run a full 29in setup. A flip chip in the rocker allows riders to make that switch without disturbing the geometry.

There is one important travel detail to note. In the standard mixed-wheel setup, the LITHOS has 174mm of rear travel and 447mm chainstays. In the full 29er setup, rear travel changes to 160mm and the chainstays increase slightly to 449mm.

That means the full 29er setup is likely to appeal to riders who want more outright speed and rollover, while the standard mullet arrangement should suit those looking for maximum rear travel, agility and clearance on steep terrain.

The geometry numbers also make the bike’s intent clear. The LITHOS uses a 64-degree head angle, 78.5-degree seat angle and a higher stack than Merida’s eONE-SIXTY SL. In size Mid, stack is listed at 646mm with a 460mm reach. Across the range, Merida says the higher stack is designed to give riders more control on steep tracks, while the longer chainstay helps with climbing traction, cornering stability and keeping the bike composed at speed.

Serviceability has not been ignored

One of the more interesting parts of the Merida LITHOS story is how much attention has been paid to maintenance.

The frame can be run with Merida’s WIRE PORT headset cable routing for a cleaner look, or with semi-external cable routing through the THERMO GATE vents for riders who prefer faster servicing. That is a welcome piece of pragmatism. Fully hidden cable routing can look tidy, but many riders and mechanics are less enthusiastic once headsets, hoses and cables need attention.

Merida also says the LITHOS uses moulded carbon cable channels, easy cable access through the battery compartment, larger bearings, extensive chainstay and heel protection, plus a design that avoids a shock yoke to reduce side-loading forces on the shock.

There are practical trail-side details, too. Merida includes a V-Mount multitool under the saddle, a TUBE BASE PLATE for carrying a spare tube and a 4/6mm hex key integrated into the removable rear axle lever. The brand also says the frame is approved for Category 4 use and comes with a lifetime warranty for the original owner.

Those details may not be as exciting as motor torque or travel figures, but they matter on an expensive e-enduro bike. Serious riders tend to value bikes that are easier to live with, easier to work on and less likely to develop avoidable problems after a wet winter or a season of hard riding.

Merida LITHOS UK pricing

The Merida LITHOS range starts with the LITHOS 5000 at £5,250. Above that sits the LITHOS 6000 at £6,500, followed by the LITHOS 8000 at £8,500. The range-topping LITHOS 10K is priced at £11,000.

That gives Merida a broad spread, from a relatively accessible carbon Bosch e-enduro bike through to a flagship build aimed at riders who want the highest-level specification.

At the lower end, the LITHOS 5000 price is likely to get attention. A full-carbon, Bosch-powered e-enduro platform at £5,250 could make the new bike particularly interesting for riders comparing long-travel eMTBs from established brands.

At the top end, the LITHOS 10K moves into serious premium territory. That is where Merida will need to convince riders that the combination of carbon construction, Bosch CX-R power, race-ready geometry, service-friendly details and long-term durability is worth the spend.

For riders still working out what sort of electric mountain bike they need, our guide to the best electric mountain bikes explains how trail, enduro and lightweight eMTBs differ in real-world use.

A serious Bosch alternative in the e-enduro market

The new Merida LITHOS does not look like a cautious update. It is a full carbon e-enduro platform with big travel, aggressive geometry, Bosch power and a clear focus on hard riding.

What makes it particularly relevant in 2026 is Merida’s emphasis on reliability and support. The eMTB motor market is becoming more competitive, and brands are starting to make different arguments. Some are chasing headline power and new technology, while others are leaning into proven systems, dealer backup and long-term durability.

The LITHOS clearly sits in the second camp. It has plenty of power, but Merida’s bigger message is that this is a bike built to survive serious riding and be easier to keep running.

For UK eMTB riders looking for a long-travel carbon e-enduro bike with Bosch support, removable battery options and a practical approach to maintenance, the Merida LITHOS could be one of the more important new launches of the year.