Merida Silex: Merida now officially presents its new gravel bike

With his surprising success at the World Championships, Matej Mohoric has given both himself and his supplier Merida a big surprise. In his first race on gravel, the Slovenian rider was crowned world champion, making unexpected headlines. The professional of the Bahrain Victorious team triumphed on a camouflaged Merida Silexwhich the Taiwanese manufacturer has now officially unveiled.

Merida Silex: Less racing than travelling

Even if the new Silex can also win titles: With the second generation of the gravel bike, Merida is aiming less at racers and instead emphasises the adventure character. The most noticeable change concerns the frame geometry: the stack has been shortened (607 millimetres) and the reach lengthened (412 millimetres), resulting in a more stretched seating position compared to its predecessor. On the five-year-old original model, the handlebars were still positioned extremely high, which meant that the front wheel sometimes tended to buck on steep terrain. Thanks to the longer wheelbase (1082 instead of 1061 millimetres) and the slacker steering angle (69.5 instead of 71 degrees), the new Merida Silex should now roll effortlessly over gravel tracks and steep climbs.

The gravel bike is still available with a carbon or aluminium frame. According to the manufacturer, the carbon version weighs 1220 grams, while the aluminium version is 680 grams heavier. The complete bikes weigh between 8.4 kilograms for the top model Silex 10K and 9.8 kilos for the lightest aluminium model: the Silex 700 . Both versions have many mounting points for bags or mudguards in common - also less of a racing character than a touring bike. The carbon models are equipped with a magnetic bottle cage from Fidlock, while the aluminium models can be retrofitted with a luggage rack. The maximum tyre clearance of 45 millimetres is guaranteed ex works.

Merida Silex: The most important facts

• Weight of complete wheel: from 8.4 kilogrammes (size M)
• Frame weight: 1220 grams (carbon), 1900 grams (aluminium)
• Stack/Reach/STR: 607/412 millimetres/1.47
• Frame material: Carbon (10K, 7000, 400), aluminium (700, 400, 200)
• Maximum tyre clearance: 45 millimetres
• Special features: Integration, luggage options, high braking power
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Prices: 1349 to 5499 Euro >> available here

To ensure that the Silex brakes quickly even when fully loaded, Merida uses large brake discs with a diameter of 180 millimetres. Gravel bikes normally "only" use 160 millimetre discs. In addition, cooling fins are designed to prevent overheating under full load. The brake and gear cables are routed through the headset cap into the inside of the frame on all equipment variants. The cables for an optional dynamo front hub are also integrated.

The model of the new Merida Silex gravel bike

Merida offers three carbon and three aluminium models. Only the top model, the Silex 10K, has electronic gears with Sram Red AXS and a large MTB cassette. It is also equipped with a radio-controlled variable seat post. The other models rely on mechanical gear groups from Shimano (GRX or Sora) and have either single or double cranks. For the wheels, handlebars and seat post, Merida relies mainly on robust aluminium components. This keeps the prices affordable compared to other competitors: the carbon models cost between 2349 and 5499 euros, while the aluminium models retail between 1349 and 2599 euros.

Merida Silex 10K

• Weight: 8.4 kilogrammes (size M)
• Frame material: Carbon
• Drive: Sram Red/Eagle AXS (1x12; 42, 10-52 t.)
• Impellers: Reynolds Black Lable G700 Pro (Carbon)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 millimetres)
• Seat post: Sram Reverb XPLR AXS (telescopic)
• Handlebars: Easton EC70 AX (Carbon)
• Price: 5499 Euro

Merida Silex 7000

• Weight: 9.4 kilogrammes (size M)
• Frame material: Carbon
• Drive: Shimano GRX 820 (1x12; 42, 11-51 t.)
• Impellers: Easton EA70 AX (Aluminium)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 millimetres)
• Seat post: Merida Expert CC (Carbon)
• Handlebars: Merida Expert GRII (aluminium)
• Price: 3249 Euro >> available here

Merida Silex 4000

• Weight: not specified
• Frame material: Carbon
• Drive: Shimano GRX 400/600 (2x10; 46/30, 11-36 t.)
• Impellers: Merida Expert SL II (aluminium)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 millimetres)
• Seat post: Merida Expert CC (Carbon)
• Handlebars: Merida Expert GRII (aluminium)
• Price: 2349 Euro

Merida Silex 700

• Weight: 9.8 kilogrammes (size M)
• Frame material: Aluminium
• Drive: Shimano GRX 820 (1x12; 42, 11-51 t.)
• Impellers: Easton EA70 AX (Aluminium)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 millimetres)
• Seat post: Merida Expert CC (Carbon)
• Handlebars: Merida Expert GRII (aluminium)
• Price: 2599 Euro

Merida Silex 400

• Weight: not specified
• Frame material: Aluminium
• Drive: Shimano GRX 400/820 (2x10; 46/30, 11-36 t.)
• Impellers: Merida Expert SL II (aluminium)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 millimetres)
• Seat post: Merida Comp CC (aluminium)
• Handlebars: Merida Expert GRII (aluminium)
• Price: 1699 Euro

Merida Silex 200

• Weight: not specified
• Frame material: Aluminium
• Drive: Shimano Sora (2x9; 48/32, 11-34 t.)
• Impellers: Merida Comp SL II (aluminium)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 millimetres)
• Seat post: Merida Comp CC (aluminium)
• Handlebars: Merida Expert GRII (aluminium)
• Price: 1349 Euro >> available here at a reduced price