{"id":55577,"date":"2023-10-19T09:00:10","date_gmt":"2023-10-19T07:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=750416"},"modified":"2023-10-19T10:35:38","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T08:35:38","slug":"the-new-merida-silex-gets-slacker-has-more-tyre-clearance-and-isnt-a-gravel-race-bike","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/the-new-merida-silex-gets-slacker-has-more-tyre-clearance-and-isnt-a-gravel-race-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"The new Merida Silex gets slacker, has more tyre clearance \u2013 and isn\u2019t a gravel race bike"},"content":{"rendered":"

That didn’t stop Matej Mohori\u010d winning the UCI Gravel World Championships on it, though <\/p>

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

Published: Thursday, 19 October 2023 at 07:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Merida has lifted the lid on the new Silex \u2013 the bike ridden to victory in the men\u2019s UCI Gravel World Championships by Matej Mohori\u010d \u2013 claiming greater off-road capability thanks to a revised geometry and increased tyre clearance.<\/p>\n

Despite Mohori\u010d\u2019s solo victory, Merida says the Silex isn\u2019t designed specifically as a gravel race bike<\/a>. Clearly, with a three-time Tour de France stage winner aboard, it\u2019s a bike that can more than mix it with racier rivals, though.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s changed? In short, the head angle is now 1.5 degrees slacker, tyre clearance has increased from 40mm to 45mm, cables now run internally and there are more mounting points.<\/p>\n

The frame, available in carbon fibre and aluminium versions, has had a visual refresh, too, while Merida has specced 180mm rotors on all models for serious braking power.<\/p>\n

Six models make up the range for now. Prices start from \u00a31,275 for the Shimano Sora-equipped Merida Silex 200, and rise to \u00a38,750 for the SRAM Red eTap AXS mullet Merida Silex 10k.<\/p>\n

Five things you need to know about the new Merida Silex<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Mountain-bike inspired geometry with 69.5-degree head angle (1.5 degrees slacker than outgoing Silex)<\/li>\n
  2. Maximum official tyre clearance has grown from 40mm to 45mm on 700c wheels <\/a>(42mm with mudguards)<\/li>\n
  3. Two frame options \u2013 Silex CF (carbon fibre, 1,220g) and Silex Lite (aluminium, 1,900g) \u2013 and a shared carbon fork (540g)<\/li>\n
  4. New frame has top tube mounts, additional fork mounts and mudguard eyelets, and also offers dropper and suspension fork compatibility<\/li>\n
  5. Six models in the range \u2013 three aluminium, three carbon \u2013 from \u00a31,275 to \u00a38,750<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    <\/p><\/div> <\/section>

    Wait, it\u2019s not a gravel race bike?<\/h2>\n
    \n
    \"Matej\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
    Matej Mohori\u010d rode the Merida Silex to victory at the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships \u2013 but the new Silex isn\u2019t a gravel race bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Hardie \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

    Merida introduced the original Silex in 2017<\/a>, back when gravel riding<\/a> was still a relative twinkle in the eye of bike designers and brand marketeers.<\/p>\n

    While gravel has evolved since then, and with it the new Silex, the refreshed bike\u2019s purpose remains pretty much the same.<\/p>\n

    \"2024\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
    The new Merida has a slacker head angle and more tyre clearance than the old model.<\/span><\/figcaption> Merida<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

    Merida says it\u2019s designed first and foremost as an off-road bike, but with versatility front of mind, too.<\/p>\n

    Indeed, while Merida now has the Scultura Endurace GR<\/a>, that is effectively an endurance road bike<\/a> with 35mm tyre clearance, and not a dedicated gravel bike.<\/p>\n

    \"Woman\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
    The Silex is Merida\u2019s dedicated gravel bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Merida<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

    As a result, the Silex isn\u2019t a bike designed to offer specificity in any one gravel niche<\/a>, be it mountain-bike style bikepacking<\/a> capabilities, or aero race credentials, like the new Canyon Grail<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Merida says it can do a bit of everything, so while the geometry flirts with the latest mountain bike trends, Merida says it\u2019s capable for commuting and winter riding, too.<\/p>\n

    \"Pack\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
    The first-generation Silex (pictured) was originally launched in 2017.<\/span><\/figcaption> Robert Smith \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

    It\u2019s this versatility that has been at the heart of the Silex\u2019s \u201crunaway success\u201d, according to Merida.<\/p>\n

    A Merida representative told BikeRadar at the launch that the original Silex was a fairly hard sell to the Taiwanese brand\u2019s HQ, but since that launch, it\u2019s become one of the firm\u2019s most important bikes.<\/p>\n