It has been over two years since Merida launched the most recent Scultura race bike, however as our Race Bike of the Yr testing confirmed, it is nonetheless one of many greatest street bikes available on the market at present.
Merida has offered a platform that may not stand out in addition to the competitors on the spec sheet, with much less aero detailing and a barely larger weight, however that is greater than made up for in journey really feel. On the street, the Scultura feels quick and responsive, all for a comparatively cheap price.
Development
Not way back, we examined out the Merida Scultura 6000, a barely extra budget-friendly model of the bike you see right here at present. First then, it appears wise to go over the Scultura 9000, and select the important thing variations between it, and its cheaper sibling.
(Picture credit score: Future (Richard Butcher))
The Scultura 9000 boasts a body and fork made fully from Merida’s vary topping CF5 carbon layup. The grading system, which runs from 2 to five, refers back to the cut up of how a lot excessive modulus carbon fiber is used within the frameset. Excessive modulus carbon fiber has a better stiffness to weight ratio, however comes at a better price too.
In establishing this bike, Merida has taken a singular strategy by avoiding the present development of aerodynamic profiling. As an alternative of utilizing aero-profiled tubes, the Scultura options rounded tubes, which assist to cut back weight and enhance compliance. Moreover, for a clear and environment friendly look, all cables and wires are neatly built-in inside the body.
(Picture credit score: Future (Richard Butcher))
Included with the Scultura 9000 is the model’s built-in carbon cockpit, the Staff SL 1P. This cockpit actually suits inside the realms of a climbing rig, boasting a low claimed weight of 280g for a dimension 400x110mm setup. This considerably undercuts choices from the likes of Pinarello, although it is price taking into account that aerodynamic effectivity is not fairly as spectacular.
In terms of the remainder of the spec, my overview construct featured Sram’s Pressure AXS groupset, which is, nicely, simply tremendous. At coronary heart, I could also be a Shimano lover, however actually, any digital groupset from both foremost market participant performs comparatively faultlessly for my part – and that is no exception.
As soon as once more, the overview bike got here specced with a Quarq energy meter – which is more and more widespread nowadays – which means you will get to grips with measuring your efforts from the get-go.
(Picture credit score: Future (Richard Butcher))
The Merida Scultura 9000 rolls on a set of Reynolds Aero 46 DB wheels, and I feel these make a superb pairing for the frameset. Whilst you may suppose {that a} climbing bike could be higher suited to a barely lighter wheelset – and sure, this might deliver the 7.57kg weight down considerably – I feel the mixture of a responsive frameset and a extra aero set of wheels makes for a superb all-round construct.
(Picture credit score: Future (Richard Butcher))
Lastly, a phrase on geometry. The Scultura, although not the model’s most aero providing, does share the identical geometry because the deeper-profiled Reacto. This implies an aggressive geometry that’s designed for racing – so if you’re somebody who’s on the lookout for a extra leisurely bike to journey, this may not be the bike for you.
The scale massive bike I had on check measured up with a 571mm stack, and 400mm attain. To place this in perspective, this can be a little longer but in addition barely larger than equally sized Specialised Tarmac SL8.
The journey
Once I examined the Scultura, it was as I discussed, a part of our mammoth Race Bike of the Yr group check, which means the bike was up in opposition to some stiff competitors. Although maybe not essentially the most thrilling bike on check in the case of advertising hype, the Merida really exceeded my expectation.
(Picture credit score: Future (Richard Butcher))
The journey high quality on the Merida Scultura 9000 is strictly what I would like and anticipate from a real racing bike. The bike is tremendous stiff all through, with a rock-solid backside bracket and a really planted head tube, which makes for really confidence-inspiring descending. This rigidity extends to the rear triangle, contributing to the bike’s quick and responsive dealing with. The Scultura 9000 excels in the case of sharp, exact cornering, very similar to its aero sibling, the Reacto.
If I’ve one criticism of the journey, its that this stiffness does incur a slight penalty in the case of lengthy distance consolation. The Merida is way from an armchair journey, and on a number of the rougher surfaces my Oxfordshire house roads have to supply, I did discover some street buzz being transmitted by way of the handlebars. Although not sufficient to trigger any explicit annoyance or hand fatigue, and positively curable with some wider tyres, it is nonetheless price noting.
The flipside of this although, as I discussed, is a superb feeling of response from the bike. Once I pushed the bike on sooner rides, notably my native chaingang, I used to be capable of completely dial in with the Scultura, one thing I’ve struggled to do with bikes that really feel much less direct.
(Picture credit score: Future (Richard Butcher))
And that brings me onto the bikes efficiency at larger speeds. No, it does not have a cam tail down tube, neither does it have a cutaway across the rear wheel, however the bike is way from a slouch at larger speeds. With the 46mm Reynolds wheels bolted on, I used to be capable of discover a small distinction in prime finish velocity between the Scultura and its extra aerodynamic rivals, however I feel the geometry and stiffness make this commerce off minute.
Worth and conclusion
Total, the Merida Scultura 9000 and vary as a complete have really impressed the Biking Weekly crew. Having reviewed the lesser 6000 mannequin just lately, each myself and common contributor Rachel Sokal are in settlement that Merida has produced a superb street bike.
Take a look throughout the vary, and it is the worth tags that proceed to impress. My check bike will set you again £6,750, which simply undercuts rival bikes from the likes of Specialised and Big.
What’s extra spectacular although, is which you could choose up a totally specced Dura-Ace Di2 crew version bike for £8,000, which considerably undercuts even worth kings like Van Rysel.
