PERFORMANCE
Merida Scultura Team
£7,750 Merida’s lightweight all-round race bike
Weight 7.1kg (M) Frame Scultura Fork Scultura Gears Shimano Dura-Ace, 52/36, 11-30 Brakes Dura-Ace disc Wheels Vision Metron 45 Finishing kit, Merida Team SL 1P bar/stem, Team SL seatpost, Prologo Scratch M5 Nack saddle, Continental GP5000 700x28c tyres
The Good
Near-faultless spec; racy handling; power meter; value
The Bad
Cockpit only available in three sizes
THIS SCULTURA IS an archetypal pro race bike – aero tubes, long, low geometry, integrated bar and dropped seatstays. Merida has created a bike that rivals stalwarts from the likes of Trek and Giant, but its price makes it one of the bestvalue superbikes available. The entire bike has received the aero treatment, with Merida claiming it offers a 4.2 per cent reduction in drag over the previous model – and all without a weight penalty too.
On the road, the Scultura delivers on its racy promise. Its geometry is identical to that of the Merida Reacto, one of the best aero road bikes, which gives an aggressive, stretched-out position, with 73.5-degree angles. Handling feels lively and reactive, a sensation further enhanced by the low weight of the front end and the Vision wheels. Despite the Scultura’s relatively slim tubes, it nevertheless still feels plenty stiff while pedalling, both in and out of the saddle, yet this isn’t at the expense of rearend comfort. It feels rapid on all terrain, with an exciting ride quality that encourages you to ride harder and faster.
Vision’s Metron wheels are a perfect match – 45mm deep-section rims offer a tangible aero advantage over shallower rims, while still being light enough to deliver that sensation of low inertia on climbs. Shod with fantastic Continental GP5000 28mm tubeless-ready tyres, it’s a super-fast pairing that makes the bike shine. There’s clearance for 30mm, too.
Shimano’s new semi-wireless 12-speed Dura-Ace Di2 is a top performer in every way. That Merida has also included the new R9200-P dual-sided power meter, with no compromises elsewhere, is astonishing.
A new integrated cockpit completely hides gear and brake cables. Intuitively, this makes perfect sense on a bike designed for peak performance and it has a great shape. But, unless your perfect bar and stem combo matches one of only three sizes this cockpit comes in, you’re out of luck optimising your fit. We’d prefer a welldesigned non-integrated set-up, which you can swap the cockpit out for yourself if needed, but this is our only complaint about the Scultura Team.
Verdict
A true WorldTour-level allround race bike at a price that undercuts the opposition