Prior to the start of the Giro d’Italia Merida launched an all-new Scultura. Reborn to tackle the high mountains and designed to meet the demands of the Lampre-Merida squad. Marcus Enno was is Pigna to shoot this new lightweight machine.
Images: Marcus Enno (Beardy McBeard)
We’ve made it to the second rest day at the Giro d’Italia and already the Scultura has proven it’s WorldTour credentials – not that the Scultura name needed it. The Scultura has already spent a full season under the legs of the Lampre-Merida squad and with the Giro victory by Jan Polanc in Stage 5, it seems Merida has got this one just right.
Lighter, stiffer and more comfortable – an essential ingredient ahead of three weeks racing or even your first century – the all-new Scultura has also seen some aesthetic improvements, including internal cable routing and an aerodynamically positioned rear brake.
Coming in at a scant 750g (claimed) for a 52cm frame is undoubtedly impressive by any standards but Merida has done more than just shave weight. Changes to tubing profiles and adopting technology as seen on the aero Merida Reacto has resulted in a complete package that is also intended to cheat the wind.
Just how good is it? You’ll have to wait for our next issue to find out. On sale 11 June.
SPECS
FRAME AND FORK: Double Chamber, Flex Stays and Bio Fiber Damping Compound. Claimed weight of 1,000g
ENSEMBLE: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 with direct mount rear brake.
WHEELS: Fulcrum Racing Zero Carbon clinchers
BARS: FSA Compact carbon
STEM: FSA carbon stem
SADDLE: Prologo Scratch 2
TAPE: Prologo
TYRES: Continental GP4000s 25mm
WEB: Merida.com.au
WEIGHT – 6,750g with pedals and carbon bottle cage. Merida also offer a Scultura 9000 LTD which comes in at a claimed 4,550g complete!
Read the review on the Merida Reacto – the aero bike as ridden by the Lampre-Merida squad.
Look out for the coming edition of Cyclist, onsale 11 June, for a more complete review of the Merida Scultura.
