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Cycle and Work
An Aero road bicycle with a lightweight frame and a full Shimano 105 drivetrain.
Merida is a Taiwanese international brand manufacturing bicycles for commuting, fitness, trails, touring and racing. These cycles are performance packed and aesthetically designed. Merida also has their presence in the coveted Tour De France with the Bahrain Merida racing team. We got the opportunity to test ride the Merida Reacto 400 (2019) and here is what we thought.
Weight: 9.31 kgs
Usage: Fitness/Racing
Frame, Fit and Comfort
This lightweight aerodynamic aluminium frame weighs only 9.31kgs and comes in 5 different frame sizes.
The Reacto 400 is built on a lightweight 6066 triple butted and hydroformed aluminium frame. The geometry is a bit aggressive and this is needed for fast and compact rides. This frame has a tapered head tube, a smoothly welded frame and an integrated seat clamp. The aerodynamic tube profiles from NACA, essentially means that Merida has taken the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics profiles and lopped the back end off, trimming the trailing edges to aid in the smooth reintegration of air. It's the same aero concept that is used on many high-end cars like the Toyota Prius. The Reacto CF carbon fork was bladed and helped with keeping the front of the bicycle light.
Design
This bicycle comes in 2 colour variants; Matte Grey with Silver/Green graphics and Gloss Black with Red graphics
Merida’s designs are always a standout and the Reacto’s design looks the best with graphics matching the aero frame profile. The bicycle I test rode came in a matte finish Grey frame with Silver and Green graphics. The flat aero tube profiles along with the bladed carbon fork and an integrated seat tube clamp immensely enhanced the aesthetic appeal of this bicycle.
Gearing
The Shimano 105, 2x10 Speed derailleurs worked well and had enough depth for quick acceleration and climbs
The Reacto 400 is equipped with a full Shimano 105 road drivetrain. 105 is Shimano’s entry into full performance drivetrains. It sits beneath Dura-Ace, Ultegra and Di2. During the test ride both at the front and rear, the gears shift cleanly, smoothly and quietly. I never missed a gear or felt the shifter being unresponsive when I needed to change gear quickly. The 2x10 speed integrated Shimano 105 shifters were easy to use with feather light pushes to change the gears.
Brakes and Steering
The Merida stock Caliper Brakes with 105 brake levers made the braking experience safe and responsive
Merida’s stock Road Pro and Reacto direct handle the braking power on the Reacto 400 (2019). These stock road caliper brakes are lightweight components and powerful on flat tarmacs.
The Merida Expert CW handlebar was compact and not too wide, this made sure the rider can tuck in and get into an aerodynamic position.
Wheels and Saddle
The 700x25C road tires are long lasting and give good traction on tarmacs
The Maxxis Dolomites 700x25C folding tires on the Reacto 400 (2019) are race specific tires built to be lightweight but reliable. Maxxis have found the perfect balance in the Dolomites using technology such as their silkworm puncture protection and duel compound tread.
The Merida Sport stock saddle was not only colour coded, but has a level of support and cushioning that suits the rider on faster rides just as much as those riding a century. The integrated seat post clamp was aero shaped and made adjustments easier. The overall ride quality was fast and comfortable on flat tarmacs.
Overall Rating
- Lightweight and aerodynamic Aluminium frame with a carbon fork
- Smooth and precise gear shifting with the Shimano 105 drivetrain
- Aesthetic design and graphics
- Slightly better treaded tires would have helped in the longer run
This road bicycle comes with a full Shimano 105 drivetrain and Merida’s stock caliper brakes. The lightweight alloy frame with a carbon fork kept the overall weight very low at 9.31 kgs. The design and graphics were aesthetic and the matte finish was smooth and of top notch. Priced at Rs.1,09,490 (as on 1st February 2019) the Merida Reacto 400 (2019) is an ideal choice for anyone looking to buy an aero road race bicycle for faster rides on the tarmac.
Prices are subject to change by the brand, without due notice.
