{"id":54977,"date":"2023-10-08T23:15:44","date_gmt":"2023-10-08T21:15:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=749276"},"modified":"2023-10-08T23:35:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-08T21:35:35","slug":"new-merida-silex-spotted-matej-mohoric-rides-unreleased-bike-to-uci-gravel-world-championships-victory","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/new-merida-silex-spotted-matej-mohoric-rides-unreleased-bike-to-uci-gravel-world-championships-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"New Merida Silex spotted | Matej Mohori\u010d rides unreleased bike to UCI Gravel World Championships victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here’s what we know so far <\/p>

By George Scott\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 08 October 2023 at 21:15 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Matej Mohori\u010d switched from the road to the rough stuff to win the 2023 men\u2019s UCI Gravel World Championship title riding what appears to be an unreleased Merida Silex gravel bike.<\/p>\n

The Slovenian, a familiar figure at the front of road races, went solo with less than 20km remaining to finish ahead of Florian Vermeersch (Belgium) and Connor Swift (Great Britain) in Italy.<\/p>\n

With the UCI\u2019s gravel worlds once again attracting a strong contingent of moonlighting road pros \u2013 including Wout van Aert \u2013 Mohori\u010d swapped his regular race-day Merida for this new Silex.<\/p>\n

The not-so-subtle Silex branding gives this away as an update to the brand\u2019s gravel bike, with the new machine getting, on the face of it, a new head tube design, a revised seatstay junction, a new fork and, we\u2019d hazard a guess, increased tyre clearance.<\/p>\n

Our photographer on the ground in Veneto, Tom Hardie, got up close with Mohori\u010d\u2019s bike at the start and finish of the 169km race, so let\u2019s dive in. Here\u2019s what we know so far.<\/p>\n

1) It\u2019s not the Merida Scultura GR<\/h2>\n
\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Matej Mohori\u010d went solo in the final 20km to win on this unreleased Merida Silex.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

First, let\u2019s start with the obvious \u2013 this isn\u2019t the new Merida Scultura Endurance GR, launched back in June<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On paper, that bike might have served as the ideal ride for the gravel worlds, seeing as it was described as the \u201clatest gravel-racing-specific addition to the Merida line-up\u201d upon its release.<\/p>\n

\"Merida\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Merida launched the Scultura Endurance GR gravel race bike (pictured) in June, but Mohori\u010d rode the new Merida Silex at the UCI Gravel World Championships.<\/span><\/figcaption> Nick Clark \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

In fact, Merida went as far as saying the Scultura Endurance GR will \u201csit alongside the more adventure and bikepacking-focussed Silex and offer the perfect machine for one-day gravel races and fast-paced gravel sessions\u201d.<\/p>\n

It looks like some of Mohori\u010d\u2019s Bahrain\u2013Victorious trade teammates were on the Scultura Endurance GR, but not the eventual race winner.<\/p>\n

2) The sloping top tube remains, but with an updated geometry?<\/h2>\n
\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The new Silex appears to sport a more aggressive shape than its predecessor.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The original Silex, which arrived in 2017<\/a>, is easily recognisable thanks to its heavily sloping top tube. At the time, Merida was among the brands pushing the boundaries of the fast-emerging gravel discipline with a geometry inspired by the brand\u2019s mountain bike range.<\/p>\n

Fast-forward to 2023 and the refreshed Silex\u2019s sloping top tube remains, but the new bike appears to have a more aggressive layout than the original bike.<\/p>\n

That said, we\u2019ve only seen Mohori\u010d\u2019s bike so far and, as this is an unreleased bike, there\u2019s no word from Merida.<\/p>\n

3) There\u2019s a new head tube design<\/h2>\n
\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The new Silex has an updated head tube.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Take a closer look at the head tube and Mohori\u010d\u2019s Silex sports a new shape.<\/p>\n

The trailing edge of the old Silex\u2019s head tube (pictured below) is a much more angular affair, with the new Silex looking like it fills some of that void, possibly in a bid to improve aerodynamics.<\/p>\n

Mohori\u010d\u2019s head tube also appears to be more compact, in stack, than what we\u2019re used to seeing on the Silex \u2013 but again, we\u2019ve only seen the one bike, in one size.<\/p>\n

\"Pack\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The existing Silex (pictured) has a shallow, more angular head tube.<\/span><\/figcaption> Robert Smith \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Otherwise, the ever-so-slightly bulbous leading edge of the Silex\u2019s head tube appears to remain.<\/p>\n

Finally, as far as the head tube is concerned, we can\u2019t help but smile at the big old race number slapped across the front of Mohori\u010d\u2019s bike.<\/p>\n

Is this a gran fondo or a race for a rainbow jersey?<\/p>\n

4) The fork is new, too<\/h2>\n
\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Has Merida increased the tyre clearance beyond the 42c offered by the existing Silex?<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While we\u2019re at the front end of the bike, there\u2019s a new fork, too.<\/p>\n

The new fork runs straight from top to bottom, rather than kinking to a vertical finish at the drop-outs, as is the case on its predecessor.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an additional eyelet on the fork, too \u2013 we\u2019ll come on to this \u2013 and clearance looks to have increased.<\/p>\n

The existing Silex has official room for 42c tyres. Mohori\u010d was running 40c Continental Terra Speed tyres for the gravel worlds in Italy and, given the current trend for wider tyres on the latest gravel bikes<\/a> \u2013 even those being raced at the highest level \u2013 we\u2019d expect to see room for 45c here.<\/p>\n

5) What\u2019s going on with that seatstay junction?<\/h2>\n
\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
We reckon the seatstay junction is designed to improve comfort.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The most eye-catching part of the new Silex is the seatstay junction.<\/p>\n

The seatstays flow either side of the seat tube and up into the top tube, creating an oversized junction that, while we can\u2019t be sure, is more than likely designed to improve comfort.<\/p>\n

The seatpost binder still appears to be accessed via the top of the top tube \u2013 evidenced by the rubber cover \u2013 but Merida may have dropped the clamp further into the seat tube to increase the amount of post available to flex.<\/p>\n

The seat tube is otherwise pretty conventional in design, staying round \u2013 with no visible aero profiling, unlike the flat-back of the Scultura Endurance GR\u2019s seat tube \u2013 but moving into a shallow cutaway for the rear tyre.<\/p>\n

6) Integrated cable routing<\/h2>\n
\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Everything is clean and hidden at the front end.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

No surprise here, but the new Silex now uses integrated cable routing.<\/p>\n

The cables on the existing Silex leave the handlebar and then run internally through the down tube, but here there\u2019s not a cable or hydraulic hose in sight.<\/p>\n

\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Mohori\u010d\u2019s bike uses FSA\u2019s ACR stem.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Everything is concealed through the FSA ACR stem. There\u2019s still a two-piece setup up front \u2013 with a separate handlebar and stem \u2013 but the ACR (Aerodynamic Cable Routing) design is a popular third-party option for keeping everything hidden from the wind.<\/p>\n

Mohori\u010d\u2019s Silex also appears to have a custom headset top cap for a lower stack height.<\/p>\n

\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Mohori\u010d\u2019s bike has a custom headset top cap to reduce the stack height.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

7) Adventure-ready but\u2026<\/h2>\n
\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Top tube and fork mounts for the new Silex.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The new Silex also sports a couple of features to ensure it\u2019s ready for long-distance or multi-day rides, as well as the gravel worlds.<\/p>\n

First of all, there\u2019s that additional eyelet on the fork we mentioned, taking the total up to three. However, the Silex now also has mounts on the top tube.<\/p>\n

Top tube mounts have become a go-to feature on many of the latest gravel bikes \u2013 including the still yet-to-be-released new Canyon Grail<\/a> \u2013 and allow a rider to securely mount a bag for snacks and the like.<\/p>\n

\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Mohori\u010d used a saddle bag for spares.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

It\u2019s a fairly aerodynamic solution, keeping the bag hidden behind the stem, and also means the all-important Haribo is kept within arm\u2019s reach.<\/p>\n

Still, there was no Haribo for Mohori\u010d at the gravel worlds, though \u2013 not least in a top tube bag.<\/p>\n

The former Milan\u2013San Remo winner didn\u2019t use any of the mounting options offered by the new Silex, but he did keep a small saddle bag behind the saddle for essential spares. At the gravel worlds, riders don\u2019t have the support of team cars, as they do in road races.<\/p>\n

8) \u2026 a road-spec for the gravel worlds<\/h2>\n
\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Shimano Dura-Ace Di2\u2026<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Finally, while the Silex is Merida\u2019s gravel bike, Mohori\u010d\u2019s bike in Italy was dressed in a familiar roadie trim.<\/p>\n

Or fairly familiar, we should say, as while Mohori\u010d was using a 12-speed Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrain, his regular crankset<\/a> \u2013 54\/40t for road races \u2013 was swapped for compact 50\/34t chainrings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
\u2026but with 50\/34t compact chainrings.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

With the amount of climbing increased for the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships, compared to the inaugural 2022 race, Mohori\u010d thought it necessary to drop down to smaller chainrings, though a sub-compact gravel crankset clearly wasn\u2019t necessary for the 28-year-old\u2019s superhuman legs.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, the road theme continues with a set of Dura-Ace SPD-SL pedals<\/a> for the dry conditions in Veneto. The 40c Continental Terra Speed tubeless tyres<\/a> \u2013 a fast-rolling gravel option with fairly limited grip \u2013 were wrapped around Vision Metron 45 SL carbon wheels.<\/p>\n

\"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Mohori\u010d used 40c Continental Terra Speed tyres in Italy.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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