The international bicycle manufacturer Merida Industry Co., Ltd. (9914) has achieved a remarkable feat in the final selection of the 20th Taiwan Excellence Gold & Silver Awards, hosted this year by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Bureau of Foreign Trade. This prestigious competition represents the highest honor for innovative products in Taiwan. With just two products entered into the running, and only ten slots available for the Excellence Awards, Merida secured both gold prizes—making it the biggest winner of the 20th Taiwan Excellence Gold & Silver Awards.
The two products honored with gold awards by Merida (MERIDA) this year are the “29-inch large-wheel mountain bike, the Big Nine Series,” and the “City E-Spresso E-Bike.” For Merida to stand out and win two gold awards at once is not only an extremely rare accomplishment in the history of the Taiwan Excellence Gold Awards but also marks the first time that such recognition has been awarded in both the bicycle industry and the traditional manufacturing sector.
One of the products earning national gold recognition from Merida this year is the “29-inch large-wheel mountain bike, the Big Nine Series,” which has recently gained strong popularity in the European and American markets. As a new type of 29-inch (29er) off-road mountain bike, it offers advantages such as better obstacle clearance, superior climbing grip, and enhanced ride comfort. Take, for example, Merida’s “BIG NINE_TEAM” model—it was not only the bike ridden by double-stage World Cup champion Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja this year but was also selected by the authoritative German cycling magazine “Bike” as the best top-tier 29-inch mountain bike. The “Big Nine Series,” with its attributes of “Merida design, German craftsmanship certification, and Olympic athlete endorsement,” has rightly earned its place as a Taiwan Excellence Gold Award winner.
The other award-winning product, the “City E-Spresso E-Bike,” is a new-generation high-performance electric bicycle with a classic design, newly launched and exclusive to the European market. This model features an electric drivetrain from BOSCH, the internationally renowned leader in machine tools. Depending on the selected assist mode, it can achieve a maximum range of up to 100 km. It offers a low-step frame for comfortable riding and is suitable for various urban uses, including commuting and shopping.