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Cycle and Work
A race-ready all-rounder for fast and long rides on tarmacs.
Merida’s road bicycle segment has always been known to packed with great components and designs. The Scultura series are road bicycles termed to be all-rounders, fast on flat roads and light enough to climb with ease. We got the opportunity to test ride the 2018 Merida Scultura 4000 Disc and here is what we thought.
Frame, Fit and Comfort
Strong, rigid and lightweight full carbon frame weighing just 8.47 kgs
The Scultura 4000 Disc boasts a full CF2 carbon frame, which is built elegantly with some performance enhancing tube structuring. The gently arching top tube swoops back to the seat tube and forms into a flattened shape that transforms into triangular, arching seat stays. All of this combines to give the frame a purposeful, muscular look. This frame is hugely stiff and thus giving a responsive ride, especially when climbing steep hills. The full carbon fork is built with no compromises, making it aero as well strong enough to handle and absorb quite a bit of vibration off the tarmac.
Design
The Scultura Disc 4000 comes in 2 colour variants; Black with White graphics and Dark blue with Red/Gold graphics
Merida has always given importance to aesthetics and constantly improving their game. The 2018 Scultura 4000 Disc, which I test, rode came in a full black frame with minimal white graphics. The butted frame along with neat moulds make the tube shapes look stylish. The matte finish paint job is of superior quality and has a smooth finish to it.
Gearing
The 2x11 Speed Shimano 105 drivetrain was performance focused and helped accelerate and climb on tarmacs
The Scultura 4000 Disc is equipped with a performance focused Shimano 105 derailleur at both the front and back. 105’s are considered to be the beginning of full performance gearing components for road bicycles. The 2x11 speed drivetrain worked seamlessly during the long test ride on flat tarmacs and a few flyover climbs as well. The Shimano RS505 22-Speed integrated paddle shifters on the handlebar worked well and were easy to use without any difficulty.
Brakes and Steering
The Shimano RS505 Hydraulic Disc brakes provide balanced and extremely quick braking in all weather conditions
Disc brakes on road bicycles are becoming fairly common these days with Merida being the front-runners in this transition. The Scultura 4000 Disc has Shimano RS505 hydraulic disc brakes at both the front and rear. Hydraulics are the most powerful one could find on a road bicycle and need some practice to get used to them to ensure safe braking. The lever shape looks new but fits well into the palms.
Merida’s Expert double butted 6061 aluminium drop handlebars are perfect in length to give the rider optimum steering control. The brake/gear integration was in good reach from both the hoods and drops.
Ride Quality
The Continental Ultra Sport II folding tires are foldable and lightweight providing decent grip even on wet roads
The Continental Ultra Sport II folding tires on the Scultura 4000 Disc has a PureGrip compound, but no hi-tech puncture resistance layer. No puncture resistance layer helps achieve a lower rolling resistance at the cost of lower puncture resistance. The trade-off between rolling resistance and puncture resistance will always exist; a stronger tire will have a higher rolling resistance. The grip is decent on even wet roads with decent traction.
The Merida Sport Road saddle is ergonomically designed to keep your sit bones stable at the widest part of the saddle.
Overall Rating
- Rigid and lightweight carbon frame
- Seamless shifting on a full Shimano 105 drivetrain
- Powerful Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- Not much puncture protection provided in the tires
This road bicycle is built on a lightweight and rigid carbon frame with a seamless Shimano 105 drivetrain, which helps with acceleration and climbing on tarmacs. The matte paint job quality is top notch and along with smooth welds makes the bicycle look stylish. Priced at Rs.1,70,490 the Merida Scultura 4000 Disc is a perfect all-rounder road bicycle for anyone to ride both fast and long and even get into some local racing.
Prices are subject to change by the brand, without due notice.
