Which Merida bike for me?

[dee jay]

Any news on the choice yet, Wayne?

 

Been toying with the same idea lately - Ride vs Scultura vs Reacto.

 

The higher end Ride models are the nicest looking & best package IMHO (Just look at it!).

Important to note that different frame geometry is used for the Ride 5000 and above - shorter head tubes etc - for a more race oriented position... BUT after enquiring from the folks at Merida SA, I discovered that the best we'll get is the Ride 3000. Really a pity.

 

Reacto is very much the aero racer, so unless it's out & out speed one is after, the Scultura seems like the sweet spot in the range available in SA

[Dicky DQ]

Okay.  Be aware that the new bikes will only have 34/50 chain rings and at best 10-28 cassettes so you will be mashing a bit more than you are used to.  The old rule of thumb is that this year's 105 was last year's Ultegra, etc.  So 105 will be okay.  Also, if you are happy with everything else on your current bike, you could save yourself lots of money by having a good service and possible a new chain.

 

The problem with a new bike is that next year it will be old! 

 

Whatever happens, don't let anyone try and convince you that Merida is cheap rubbish.  They are great bikes and offer excellent value for money.

What happened to 53 -39 and 11-23?

 

has everyone gone soft?

 

Re Merida as a brand, you cannot go wrong with them, just check who they own a significant share of........

 

I you can say this they are a cheaper SSSSSSSPPPPez

[Barker]

ok, so i have decided to go with the Reacto 4000. I have placed a 3/4 deposit down on the Reacto - last one in Cape Town - nothing left  at supplier. Will officially take owner ship next week unless i change my mind....

 

i was having a bit of a internal struggle to decide between the Scultura and Reacto. To be honest i am still having the struggle...saw a Scott CR1 20 today (In a colour i liked) and was wondering how it compared to the Reacto. It is in a similar price range and i am not used to paying money of this size for a bike. lol...so yes i am a bit nervous about my decision. Wont be doing this type of purchase i expect for atleast another 3 years....

 

The reacto ticks most of my boxes (except the colour)  but it is heavier than the Scultura and the Scott and that is bothering me a little. How can a Reacto that is higher priced, higher classed race bike, be heavier?...hmmm. Also noticed that the weights for the merida bikes are not their website - had to mail and ask them.

 

My current old bike, a Scott Elite CR1 which is aluminium weighs in at 9.6kg with pedals and all. And that is a 7 year old bike.

 

- Merida Reacto 4000 - 9kg (Expected the reacto to be lighter than the scultura)

- Merida Reacto 5000 - 8.9kg 

- Merida Scultura 5000 - 8.25kg

- Scott CR1 20 - 8.26kg

 

It does suck that our range of Merida bikes we can choose from are limited to certain models. Originally i wanted the Scultura 6000 but its not available in SA then i inquired about he Ride 7000 and it was not available in SA either.

[Pulse]

Okay here goes...

 

I'm not an expert on Merida (or any other bikes), but have had my fair share of Merida bikes in my "Garage (aka. my spare bedroom...he he he) and here is my honest opinion, based on your 3 choices...

 

Among others I've had the pleasure of owning a Merida Reacto 907 (2012) and also Scultura 905 (2013) and Scultura 907 (my current bike 2014)...have not been on a Merida "RIDE" before, so not sure about the ride experience.

 

Ride 7000 - this bike falls under the heading "TOURER"...which would possibly be your "softest" ride between the 3 choices (if you would really feel the "softness" between the 3 bikes)...if you do 100+ kilometer races / stage events regularly, this is the bike for you (eg. Kremetart, Jock Classic, other Multi-stage races, etc).

Normal 90 to 100km bike races...also no problem.

Bear in mind...this bike has the BEST components of the 3 bikes you mentioned (including overall FULL Ultegra 11-speed Groupset and also best Wheelset of the 3).

Not sure about the weight on this bike.

 

Scultura 5000 - under header "RACE"...the MERIDA ranges most BALANCED bike...(IMHO) and is based on the same frame Geometry as the MERIDA Scultura Team bike used in the Tour de France (only difference is the Carbon used on the Scultura range).

Full Ultegra Groupset, excluding the Crankset (Shimano 500) and the Cassette which is the NEW 105 (5800) 11-speed cassette...but nothing wrong with the quality.

Awesome balanced bike...since I started riding with a Scultura 905 (same geometry as the 5000) my Hill Climbing has improved...or maybe i'm just lucky LOVE IT!!!

 

Reacto 4000 - under header "RACE"...but as you mentioned before people use it more for TT racing and Ironman, etc.

Awesome groupset - the NEW Shimano 5800 (105) but it has a 52-36 crankset (not a compact (50-34) and not a standard crank (53-39)).

The bike is a little bit heavier than the Scultura, but not sure exactly how much...

Overall a great bike...BUT

 

In my opinion...the Scultura 5000 is the one I would take (in total the most balanced and I enjoy climbing with it) Best value for Money...would just look at replacing the wheelset when you have the bucks...

 

Let us know what you decided

Very nice reply.

 

I agree with you

[Mopkop]

@potholedriver

 

Go with the Scott if you can. I've read a lot of good reviews wrt the Scott.

 

Sometimes these aero frames are super stiff and unpleasant to cycle. Don't get me wrong, they do go balls to the wall but your body takes quite a beating in the process..

 

I've got a Fondriest TF2 and its a bike i love to hate, which feels like i described above.. just my 2c

[Acrobat]

@ Potholedriver

 

I just ordered a Reacto 5000 Ltd today. I did my research on conventional bikes VS Aero bikes and decided on Aero which I think will work best for me.

 

I then looked at the various manufacturers options and decided on the Merida based on the reviews and value for money. If their Lampre Team is doing most of their riding on the Reacto, then it should work for me. ;-) Anyway I just think it looks pretty cool too - and that plays a part in my decision as well.

 

Can't wait to get it. Good luck with yours.

[Long Wheel Base]

What happened to 53 -39 and 11-23?

 

has everyone gone soft?

 

Re Merida as a brand, you cannot go wrong with them, just check who they own a significant share of........

 

I you can say this they are a cheaper SSSSSSSPPPPez

Seems now a days the bikes are coming out with this compact rubbish, I bought a new TCR recently and had a little crank with very few teeth, Ordered a new normal cranks from CRC as cool heat didn't have stock of my groupset (ultegra 6800). I then sold the compact crank and funny enough didn't struggle too much to get rid of it.

 

Yip comes out of the same factory, But designed and engineered in different countries.

[Barker]

@ Potholedriver

 

I just ordered a Reacto 5000 Ltd today. I did my research on conventional bikes VS Aero bikes and decided on Aero which I think will work best for me.

 

I then looked at the various manufacturers options and decided on the Merida based on the reviews and value for money. If their Lampre Team is doing most of their riding on the Reacto, then it should work for me. ;-) Anyway I just think it looks pretty cool too - and that plays a part in my decision as well.

 

Can't wait to get it. Good luck with yours.

 

 

Where did you get your 5000? I contacted the Merida supplier and was told they have none. Is it the black, grey and white one? It has the Ultegra groupset on right? The 4000 appears to be my only option in the Reacto carbon range unless i wait till March 2015 when the new bikes arrive.

 

I saw a Reacto 5000 going on the web at a shop in cape town for R 23 000 (which is cheap) but when i phoned i was sold already.

[dee jay]

Where did you get your 5000? I contacted the Merida supplier and was told they have none. Is it the black, grey and white one? It has the Ultegra groupset on right? The 4000 appears to be my only option in the Reacto carbon range unless i wait till March 2015 when the new bikes arrive.

 

I saw a Reacto 5000 going on the web at a shop in cape town for R 23 000 (which is cheap) but when i phoned i was sold already.

If you're still looking for a Reacto 5000 perhaps give the folks at Wayne Pheiffer Cycles in Port Elizabeth a shout. Popped in earlier today and they had a few on their stands... might have your size.

 

Best of luck with the search ????

[Barker]

Picked up the Reacto 4000 today from Geco cycles. The shop gave me a free fitment. This bike rides like a dream.

 

I was concerned that the ride would be too hard but it is infact a better ride than my old scott.

 

Not sure if i am imagining this but it feels like this bike accelerates much faster. Still nwed to hook the garmin up to it.

[Barker]

Here some photos and my initial findings.

 

This is huge upgrade from what i had. Had a fitment and all. Average speed will be increasing for me as the gearing is better than what i had and the bike seems to accelerate without any effort. Was cycling in the streets in my neighbourhood - just cruising and when i checked the Garmin i was cruising at 35kph.

 

I took it for a longer ride on Saterday. Did a 46km. Top speed that i achieved on the flats from Durbanville to Klipheuwel was 58kph. 

 

Seating and comfort.

The ride was comfortable for first 20km on rough surface tar roads i get feedback from the road and my arms started to show a reddish colour from all the vibrating.

 

The seating is a bit more aggressive, leaning a bit more forward than what i am use to but still comfortable...till i realised 20km in that i was chafing my groin a bit. 

 

When i got back home i was saddle sore. Its going to take a while to get used to the new seat. The next day i was back on it...

 

Overall i am happy. Just wondering if should have the seat replaced or should i stick it out a while and see. My previous seat had a cut out area in the middle of the seat.

 

 

 

 

[Dazshell]

Very, very nice, Pieter!  Groen Oogies!

[Roy Davis]

Hi

I am 74 and only started riding round the neighborhood on a chinese supermarket bike about five years ago. I have done the Tour d'Urban once, Amashova twice and Cape Cycle Tour once in 2016. At my age I am not trying to beat anyone but just to stay healthy. I usually come in the middle of my age group which is good enough for me. Cycling is a wonderful sport and I can recommend it to anyone. Most people don't realize it doesn't just build up your legs but whole body because when you pedal you pull on the bars.

I ride a 2013 Merida Scultura Evo 905 full carbon with Ultegra. I use Continental hardshell gator tyres because of the potholes on the old main road to Pietermaritzburg. Got three punctures one ride. Nearly gave up but the Continentals have saved the day.

The Scultura has compact 34-50 chainrings and 11-28 casette. I need a higher top but would like to retain the 28 - 34 low ratio but need a higher ratio when on the 50. I see in the discussions references to a 10-28 casette. Where do I get one?

Help will be appreciated.

[Cippo]

Hi

I am 74 and only started riding round the neighborhood on a chinese supermarket bike about five years ago. I have done the Tour d'Urban once, Amashova twice and Cape Cycle Tour once in 2016. At my age I am not trying to beat anyone but just to stay healthy. I usually come in the middle of my age group which is good enough for me. Cycling is a wonderful sport and I can recommend it to anyone. Most people don't realize it doesn't just build up your legs but whole body because when you pedal you pull on the bars.

I ride a 2013 Merida Scultura Evo 905 full carbon with Ultegra. I use Continental hardshell gator tyres because of the potholes on the old main road to Pietermaritzburg. Got three punctures one ride. Nearly gave up but the Continentals have saved the day.

The Scultura has compact 34-50 chainrings and 11-28 casette. I need a higher top but would like to retain the 28 - 34 low ratio but need a higher ratio when on the 50. I see in the discussions references to a 10-28 casette. Where do I get one?

Help will be appreciated.

10's are only available on mountainbike cassettes. Lowest you can get is an 11. Have a look in classifieds here under road cassettes. Contact your local bike shop if you cannot find one or buy one online from www.cwcycles.co.za or www.evobikes.co.za. You could also place a wanted ad in classifieds for a cassette.

 

Good luck.