![]() Continental’s 25mm Grand Sport Race tyres measure 26.5mm for a little extra volume, and handle predictably with decent grip, making descending a confident experience. The 52/36 and 11-28 gearing is ideal fast road gearing, and well suited to the Reacto’s ability. Merida’s alloy-rimmed Expert CW shallow aero wheelset, with 28 paired, opposing J-bend spokes each, tries hard and does a reasonable job of converting your inputs to speed, but it’s not the most reactive.Ĭarrying speed into uphill drags allows you to power over the top with little velocity loss, but starting steep climbs from slow speed shows their limited acceleration.Įven so, the Reacto 5000 is a good climber, with great composure and balance to go with its efficiency, and some sportier wheels would unlock even more potential. ![]() With superb lateral stiffness and power delivery, the Reacto 5000 is keen to get up the road. The 105 direct-mount brake did stay centred and I didn’t detect any rubbing from the wheel, but its inline quick release is large and positioned prominently in front of the head tube, potentially affecting the carefully designed aerodynamics. ![]() They’re paired with Ultegra mechs, but then Merida deviates with an FSA Gossamer Pro chainset and 105 direct mount brakes, plus 105 cassette.įrom the saddle most of these are harder to notice, except for the brakes, which just lack the instant bite I expected, and the rear in particular has quite a wooden feel.īelow chainstay brakes have always come with compromises, one of which is the additional dirt they collect, and the extra faff involved in working on them. What I really noticed though were Shimano’s new Ultegra levers, which just feel more refined than 105, with comfy hoods and lightning-fast gear shifts. The drops are ergonomic, and along with the stem, make for a stiff cockpit. The Merida Aero alloy bar has mildly flattened tops, which make more sense as a comfortable hand rest rather than being especially aero. With no spacers, the reach was ideal for adopting a good position, low on the drops or on the hoods with flat arms, I definitely didn’t feel cramped.Ĭontact points are important, and Merida’s Race saddle is surprisingly comfortable, with the right level of padding for support without feeling squashy. But I found my M/L (54cm) machine a great fit, and similar to the usual 56cm bikes. The CF2 geometry of the Reacto 5000 is less aggressive than the top-spec models, with a shorter reach and a 177mm head tube that’s 20mm taller than the equivalent-sized CF4 model. The Merida’s solidity and fine handling helps it carry good corner speed and enables instinctive line changes Merida Reacto 5000 geometry ![]() Preferring to keep things simple for servicing, all the cables enter a large port in the top of the down tube, behind the head tube, and the brakes are straightforward direct-mount items. The frameset’s weight has been reduced by around 17 percent thanks to the slimmer tubes and new carbon-fibre layup, but stiffness is unchanged.Įvery tube except the top tube and chainstays has a NACA Fastback profile, or truncated wing shape, and the narrower head tube means the headset’s lower bearing reduces from 1.5in to 1.25in. The 2018 Reacto III is claimed to improve on the outgoing bike’s comfort, weight and aerodynamics, and if it didn’t I’d be surprised.Īll the tubes are slimmer and the seatstays meet the seat tube lower down, their enhanced aerodynamics supposedly saving up to 5 percent of your energy at 45km/h. ![]() Merida’s original Reacto appeared in 2011, with the Reacto II arriving in 2014. At more than 50mm deep behind the bottom-bracket shell, very boxy and asymmetric, they look as muscular as a lion’s haunches, and with similarly powerful intent. ![]()
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