The Reacto punches holes through the air just as easily as it responds to pedal inputs, and this sensation never seems to abate really – even when the terrain starts to become lumpy. The term 'free speed' is bandied about a lot these days, but it applies very much to what Merida has created here.
The stiff bottom bracket area, coupled with its lighter kerb weight means it's able to accelerate with little fuss and carry momentum with ease thanks to its slippery wind-tunnel-honed silhouette. Out of the box, the all-new Merida Reacto has an unrelenting propensity for attacking the horizon line. The balance of the build comprises Merida's proven S-Flex seat post with integrated rear light and a Prologo Scratch M5 carbon saddle. The Vision theme continues at the front where a Metron 5D bar/stem, out-front computer mount and orange bar tape rounds off the cockpit. Unlike the WorldTour version, the production-ready Reacto Team-E rolls on a set of Vision Metron 55 TLR disc wheels shod with Continental GP5000 25c clincher tyres. This alliance – particularly ditching the Fulcrum Speed wheels for Vision Metron tubular wheels – proved to shave a considerable amount of weight off its Scultura and Reacto platforms when the decision was made to go down the disc-only route at the end of last year. In late 2019, Bahrain Merida partnered with Vision, a company known for its super-light components. It's a tried-and-tested set-up that supplies lightning-quick shifting and precise and modular braking feel.
Merida reacto review full#
As the Team-E name alludes to, this bike features a full electronic build – in this case, a Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 hydraulic groupset, complete with FC-R9100-P Dura-Ace power meter chainset.
Merida reacto review pro#
The Reacto Team-E Disc pictured here is nearly identical to what Bahrain McLaren will ride this year, with the only difference being the lack of 140mm rear rotors and tubular wheels/tyres – a lighter and more popular set-up in the pro rungs. The maker's name on the downtube, Continental sponsor garnishings on the chainstays and Bahrain McLaren moniker on the top tube validate its credentials.
The predominantly black, three-tone frame harks back somewhat to the team's previous colour scheme, but gains a racy, McLaren-inspired papaya-orange front end and fade-to-red top tube graphic with complementing flecks of cyan on the inner fork. As an out-and-out race bike, it's hard to dispute the presence that the Bahrain McLaren livery adds to the package. While this colour palette may not appeal to everyone, it turned many heads during my initial test rides, with some riders going as far as to trail me to ask more about it. Swapping out the wheels for Metron 55 SL tubular versions will drop the weight by a further 300g to 7.1kg. The Reacto Team-E tips the scales at 7.41kg (actual), which makes it one of the lightest dedicated aero road bikes in the segment. Merida has kept things simple this time around by eradicating the S/M and M/L sizing options and going with a solitary medium instead, which takes the sizing total to six: XXS, XS, S, M, L and XL.Īccording to the spec sheet, the new bike is indeed lighter than before – 965g (medium) for the frame and 457g (medium) for the fork. The geometry is more or less the same as before and shares the same compact 990mm wheelbase thanks to the use of short 408mm chainstays, but gains a steeper 73.5-degree head angle and 0.5-degree slacker seat tube angle (73.5-degree). Other alterations include a concealed seat post clamp, hidden front/rear 12mm thru-axles and neatly integrated disc coolers, all of which contribute to minimising the effect of aerodynamic drag. The design tweaks comprise a chunkier fork that's now integrated into the frame profile (claimed to save around three watts), a new fully integrated handlebar arrangement compliments of Vision (a two-watt saving), lower attachment points for the seat stays and a thicker seat post. The 'NACA Fastback' aerofoil profiling is more defined and prominent – more so than the previous version, and you can see this when looking at the two models side by side. It certainly looks fast – no visible cables or hoses here.
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