All new superlight monocoque frame with premium high modulus carbon fibres, weighing in at just 830g for a 54cm frame.
The super low weight is just part of the story, the oversized BB, down tube with reinforcing rib and oversized head tube housing a full carbon tapered 330g fork give stiffness data that ranks with the best in the world.
However, the secret ingredient is comfort, the key to long hours in a pro-peleton. The rear stays and forks have a special carbon mat structure with a central layer of vibration damping bio flax fibres.
- FRAME-DESIGN CLOSELY LINKED WITH SCULTURA SL/PRO
- NO BB386EVO – REGULAR 68mm BSA BOTTOM-BRACKET
- CABLE-ROUTING AND DI-2 COMATIBILTY EQUAL TO SL AND PRO
- FULL-CARBON FORK WITH 1,5” TAPER-STEERER
- STANDARD CARBON-FIBERS
- FRAME-WEIGHT AROUND 1,200 GRAMS
- REAR BASE 410mm FOR TIRES UP TO 25mm
- AGGRESSIVE PRICE-LEVEL
Frame spec:
Carbon Monocoque
normal carbon fibres
full carbon fork
frameweigth: 1150g / forkweight: 380g
Flexstay seat stays
BSA bottom bracket
tapered head tube 1 1/8“-1 1/2“
for 27.2mm seat post
aluminum dropouts
FD-mount with 34,9mm clamp
max. width of tire: 23mm
internal cable routing
integrated guide for brake cable
DI2 compatible
HT-stiffness: 88Nm/°
comfort: 176N/mm
UCI aproved
Build:
Speeds: 20
Sizes: 50cm (C031), 52cm (C032), 54cm (C033), 56cm (C034), 59cm (C216)
Frame: Scultura comp full carbon monocoque frame with flex stay technology.
Color: white/black(blue)
Fork: Full carbon tapered fork
Shifters: Shimano 105
Brake levers: attached
Brakes: Merida Road Pro
Chainwheel: Shimano R565 50-34
BB-Set: attached
Chain: KMC X10 10s
Hubs: attached
Rims: Mavic Aksium
Freewheel: Shimano CS-4600-10 12-28
Tires: Vittoria Rubino Slick 23 60 KV
Handlebar: Controltech ONE Road
Stem: Merida Pro E OS -7
Headset: NO.55EP Neck-com
Seatpost: Merida carbon K SB19 27.2
Saddle: Selle Italia X1
Pedals: no
Weight: 8.26 Kg | 18.03 Lbs (Size 54cm)
 |
X-TAPER HEADTUBE
External butted head-tube with huge dimensioned 1.5” lower head-set and matching taper-steerer fork.
|
 |
CARBON FORK
Front fork made of carbon composite material; at some models 100% made of carbon composite.
|
 |
FLEX-STAY
Special shaped seat- and/or chain-stays improve vibration-damping and create noticeable comfort.
|
 |
NANO MATRIX CARBON
NANO-particles reinforce the epoxy-based matrix structure - for up to 40% improved hit-resitance.
|
 |
INTERNAL CABLE
Brake or shifting-cables routed internally through the frame’s tubes. Clean and improved outlook, wi
|
 |
STRUCTURE ELEMENTS
Carbon-frame, which is made from compact dimensioned carbon frame-segments. The bonding of these elements is made according to the specific stress lasting at the different areas, either by internal joints or tube-to-tube.
|
About the Carbon:
MERIDA information: How to understand differences in Carbon frame-levels
The term “Carbon-frame” itself just means that the frame is made of carbon composite material, and this is in general more costly in manufacturing than such ones made of aluminum.
But there are the same differences in quality levels available in carbon frames as there are in aluminum frames, where the range starts at a 2,4kg basic frame using plain gauge, thick-wall tubes in a £150 bike at the supermarket - up to a Merida superlight 1.3kg triple butted 6066 aluminium frame suitable even for a pro-racer.
Most carbon fibers are supplied by the 3 leading carbon-fiber suppliers Toho, Toray and Mitsubishi fibers, all based in Japan. These companies cover almost 90% of the market in quality carbon fibers, and the same fibers are used for aircrafts, weapons, wind-power generators, racing cars-and sport-goods such as tennis rackets – and bike-frame and forks.
Even from the same supplier, there is a wide range in different fiber qualities offered, mainly in terms of strength versus cross section.
But just using the ultimate high-strength fibers (such as UHM =Ultra High Modulus fibers, which are most expensive) doesn’t guarantee superior product quality. Product performance is linked strongly with the way of manufacturing, the process control, product’s dimensioning/ product design and preciseness in manufacturing.
To take an easy example, how the carbon frame-business is structured, let us compare the different level of Carbon with Shimano road group-sets.
Carbon frames are equivalent to Shimano 10-Speed groups, what means:
Tiagra
105
Ultegra
Dura Ace.
These parts quality-levels are very well known to every bike enthusiast and this is why they are a good example for the different quality levels of other product areas too.
All these Shimano groups are made from aluminum; Shimano uses Carbon rarely in their bike components, even on the top level Dura Ace.
All of them have 10-Speed cassettes, diverse options in gearing and STI brake/shift levers with a similar functionality.
Even a new Tiagra as the entry level into the 10-Speed road world has all the Shimano features, such as SG, HG and as result, the shifting and braking quality is excellent in all those groups.
The differences responsible for more than 300% price discrepancy between a Tiagra and a Dura Ace group-set are:
Higher quality alloys with rising level, different manufacturing processes, and better surface quality, more care for details, resulting in lower weight, reduced wear-off, lower friction, and more firm actuation.
It is up to the consumer’s usage (and financial wiliness), how much more money he likes to spend to get these improvements.
Example 10-speed chain-wheels:
Tiagra crank-set is solid forged, with solid crank-arms and stamped alloy chain-rings.
105 has hollow forged crank-arms and therefore it is lighter than Tiagra; the outer chain-ring is stamped and machined afterwards, the anodizing surfaces have better quality.
Ultegra is hollow forged as 105, but both chain-rings are 3D forged, the outer ring is hollow (forged, welded an polished); fixing bolts are made of alloy instead of steel.
Dura Ace is hollow forged, the spindle is higher-level CroMo steel and therefore thinner wall thickness (and lighter), the crank-arms have different, weights saving design + orientation. Both chain-rings are 3D forged, the outer hollow (forged, welded and polished).
Functionality versus price:
The quality differences are smaller with every next level.
Tiagra already works well in all functional aspects: low initial forces, precise and safe function - but the actuation is soft and a bit indifferent, the wear is higher (when there is a high mileage), the weight is just so-so.
105 makes a big step ahead, with shorter lever movement, giving more direct feeling, lower weight and better durability. Generally speaking: Just few riders need more functionality.
Ultegra makes the big step to “hard to beat” quality, weight saving is another step from 105.
As long we do not talk about image or the 200 grams saving in weight, Ultegra is even sufficient for pro level racers.
Dura Ace: in between Ultegra and Dura Ace, there remain just tiny weight improvements and image being different, for 60% higher price. - The function is almost identical.
The closer you get to the top ceiling, the smaller the improvements you get and the higher the efforts become to achieve that. The last 10% to perfection are the hardest – and take twice the efforts and cause the doubling in price.
Same for Carbon frames:
The carbon basic level of aggressive competitors is comparable to Tiagra.
Frame-weights of around 1,2kg; forks with 500-600 grams carrying an alloy steerer and alloy drop-outs.
Low/medium frame stiffness resulting in less precise cornering or high-speed control in descents: These scientific tested performance figures are recorded and published form German bike-magazines, such as “Tour”.
Most of this category have lousy comfort results due to forks being too rigid, rigid seat-stays with too thick wall thicknesses and simple fiber quality.
Just a few frames at this level feature a 1.5” tapered steerer, no universal cable routing (i.e. not mechanical + Di-2 compatible), frames have alloy drop-outs, and there is no integrated front derailleur brackets.
Different to many competitors, MERIDA does not offer frames in this bottom carbon level.
105 level is our 2013 Scultura Comp.
They have full Carbon forks with a weight below 450grams and good comfort figures. H/T stiffness close to 100Nm/degree for great high-speed control, noticeable rear-frame comfort due to Flex-Stay shaped seat-stays.
We have multi-functional cable-routing for mechanical and electric actuated shifting, as well as 1.5” tapered steerer forks.
These frames are called MERIDA COMP-level.
Ultegra level is equivalent to Scultura PRO
Compared with the level below, this is already top technology: Double chamber fork-blades, bio-fiber vibration absorbing layers in the fork-blades and chain and seat-stays.
High Modulus carbon fibers, deliver a frame weight below 1kg and a fork weight below 400 grams.
Amazing H/T and BB-stiffness, a super-wide BB386EVO bottom bracket improves the bottom-bracket stiffness about 30% over the good market average!
This frame shares the same mold and manufacturing process with the top-level – differences are mainly the fiber-material and the QC-steps, which are even more restrictive at the top-level.
We call these frames MERIDA Pro-level.
Dura Ace-level quality can be found at Scultura SL and REACTO
This is the “best of the best”, with breath-taking efforts to achieve the last 10% of performance.
All fibers are ULTIMATE; this level uses a large proportion of really expensive Ultra High Modulus fibers; The weight of frame+ fork drops another 150 grams in total whilst keeping or even topping the stiffness records.
We call these frames MERIDA SL (Superlight)-level.
For our PRO and SL level, the internal surface quality is significantly higher than “Comp”-level, thanks to a different “anti-wrinkle” production process.
It makes no sense to combine a SL-level frame with a Tiagra group-set and a simple wheel-set.
Why should someone pay twice the money for a frame saving 300 grams, when he can easily save 1 kg of components (group + wheels) for the same amount of budget?
THE REASON WHY WE ARE OFFERING 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARBON ROAD-FRAMES – SCULTURA – REACTO – RIDE CARBON
Until some years ago, there existed just general “road-frames”. The same type of frame in terms of geometry and performance was used from leisure fitness biking up to winning major pro-races such as the Tour de France.
And this is the reason to diversify road-bikes into different categories:
Hobby riders using a road-bike to improve their physical fitness or professional road-riders sitting on their bike each season for more than 30,000 kilometers have not just a different level of muscular performance; they need as well a specific rider’s position matching these circumstances.
This was the main reason for the bike-industry to create “Endurance” road-bikes offering a slightly more relaxed rider’s position and designed to offer improved comfort, especially on the UKs less than perfect roads.
Air-resistance, and the so called “drag”, is the main resistance slowing down a cyclist.
At speeds over 35km/h, drag represents more than 80% of the total balance of all resistances, such as rolling resistance or friction on the bearings.
No wonder “aero road-bikes” are getting more popular. Especially for riders preferring fasts rides, the rider saves 8-10 Watts of power and can easily ride 1-2km/h faster, with the same effort. A nice side-effect is that Aero-road bikes look more aggressive and faster than their “standard rivals”, due to their wing-shapes tube-shapes and the deep section rims such bikes are using.
Anyway, universal road-frames of the Traditional “all-around” category represent the majority of the road-bikes available in the market and can be used for all kind of on-road-applications. Being the working tools of the pro-racers, the focus is on serious road-riding in terms of geometry, rider’s comfort is not the ultimate priority.
Here is a summary of the most well-known products representing each category:
I. UNIVERSAL ROAD-FRAMES ”ALL-ROUND CATEGORY”
MERIDA SCULTURA-series
Famous competitors at this category:
Scott Addict
Specialized Tarmac
Trek Madone
Giant TCR Advanced
Cervelo R5
B-MC Teammachine
Felt F-series
II. ENDURANCE / COMFORT ROAD-FRAMES
As explained in the introduction, Endurance/comfort road-frames offer a more relaxed rider’s position, due to a slightly shorter top-tube, higher handlebar-position and better vibration absorbing, thanks to specially designed rear-stays and fiber materials.
These bikes are the best choice for riders with lower fitness level, as such riders face pain in the neck/back, but also for riders doing longer work-outs or riding on 2nd level country roads.
Beside the specific frame-geometry, such bikes should be equipped with compact handlebars offering less drop and shorter reach, bigger tire cross-section (25-622) and a broad gear-range.
New for MY13: MERIDA RIDE CARBON
Famous examples at the competition:
Scott CR1
Specialized Roubaix
Trek Domane
Giant Defy
BMC Streetracer
Felt Z-series
III. AERO ROAD-BIKES
Aero Road-Bikes are the speed oriented brothers of the all-round road-bikes.
Cervelo created the aerodynamic shaped “Soloist” already years ago and this bike was used in many successful solo-stages during the big pro-tour races.
Mark Cavendish proved with his stage-victories in the 2011 TdF on a brand-new Specialized Venge aero-bike, how fast such a bike can be. These bikes are prefect for “echappeurs”, individual escape from the pack, but as well for high-speed trains, such as the final 10k of a road-race before a mass-sprint final.
And there is no doubt that these bikes are looking the most fast among all road-bikes.
The other side of the deal is that the teardrop tube shape are reducing frame stiffness and slightly adding weight, the wing-shape seat-tube and –post make the frame as well more harsh to ride - same with the deep-section wheels, being slightly heavier due to their deeper rims, but faster than traditional ones.
Riders just focused on mountain-climbing and the ultimate lightweight-tool don’t need such a bike, while riders heading-out on each training ride aiming for the personal best on their home circuit will find their favorite bike.
The most universal road-bikes available today are the MERIDA REACTO and Scott Foil – just these 2 bikes combine the aerodynamic improvement with low weight close to traditional road-frames, high-stiffness for safe high-speed cornering and good comfort figures.
Other are either just streamlined, but quite heavy and too soft (Felt) or aerodynamic and stiff, but super-harsh (Specialized Venge).
MERIDA REACTO
