12/2/2023 0 Comments ReactoMaybe it’s because the bike looks so good – the finish could belong to a more expensive machine. Sure it’s about a blend of well-judged ride quality and stiffness, but it’s also something more nebulous, let’s call it verve. Specialness is so subjective and it’s hard to separate out the preconceptions you have about a brand from what you’re actually experiencing on the road.įor me, the Reacto has that indefinable quality that separates great bikes from those that are merely competent. It’s the kind of bike that seems to egg you on, ruthlessly converting hard efforts into speed and offering an exciting, engaging ride. The days of aero road bikes being little more than time trial bikes with drop bars are thankfully behind us and the Reacto is a refined and well-rounded ride, one that inherits more of performance special sauce from its superbike big brother than you might imagine for such a reasonably-priced build. Leaving that aside, the geometry is pretty typical race bike fare, with steep angles and a short wheelbase of 990mm on the medium. With 395mm of reach and 557mm of stack, many brands would call our medium test bike a large – it’s a similar size to a typical 56cm bike. Merida’s sizing runs big so pay close attention to the numbers here. Merida Reacto 4000 geometry and sizing Frame size My size medium test bike complete with that light and multitool (but no pedals or other extras) weighed 8.7kg which doesn’t sound all that impressive, but is pretty typical for a mid-range aero bike with discs. The aero seatpost deserves a special mention for its neat integrated rear light.Īs noted in our review of the Team edition bike, this runs on a triple-A rather than being USB-rechargeable, but I’d argue not having a built-in battery makes it more future proof, and it’s nice to have as a backup regardless even if you’re running external lights as well.Īnother nice bonus that comes as standard is the compact multitool tucked under the saddle. I’ve covered the clever stem above, and the rest of the finishing kit is well chosen too. The internal rim width of 19mm is well suited to the range of tyre sizes you’ll put on this bike however and you can even run them tubeless if you want to, although doing so will necessitate new rubber the standard tyres are basic Continental Ultra Sport III clinchers – a sensible but budget-oriented choice, and one that isn’t tubeless-ready. They’re Merida-branded aluminium rims on nameless hubs and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with them, they’re just not very special. If there’s one part of the build you probably won’t get too excited about, it’s the wheels. The rear derailleur is the larger capacity GS version too, meaning you can fit an even bigger cassette if the mountains beckon. This being a race bike, Merida opts for a semi-compact 52/36 crank but lets you down gently with a reasonably generous 11/30 cassette so you’ve still got a pretty low gear when you need it. The Reacto 4000 has a full Shimano 105 R7000-series hydraulic disc groupset with the KMC chain being the only substitution. The Reacto 4000 is a seriously handsome bike with a finish that combines glossy red sections with matt black for an effect that’s anything but budget. I’m pleased to report the rear one doesn’t stick out as much as the older design still seen on some bikes including the Scultura Endurance, so it won’t take chunks out of your shoes if you pedal a bit heels-in. Like other Meridas, the Reacto features brake heatsinks that sit between the calipers and the frame and fork. You’ll still need to disconnect things to change the upper headset bearing, but it’s a less restrictive approach than some fully integrated designs while still looking ultra clean. The cables are neatly hidden from view but mercifully Merida hasn’t gone overboard with the integration, instead opting for the FSA SMR cable routing system, essentially a conventional stem with a removable cover on its underside that conceals the cables on their way into the upper headset cover. Like many race bikes with discs, the Reacto’s tyre clearance is healthy, with a maximum official width of 30mm. Meanwhile the seatstays are dramatically dropped and the top tube is horizontal. There are truncated aerofoil tube profiles throughout with a particularly narrow down tube and a dedicated aero seatpost. Material aside, the more affordable 4000 is virtually identical to the flagship bike, with the same ultra-modern frame design that ticks off just about every on-trend aero bike feature. The Reacto 4000 gets Merida’s second-tier CF3 carbon and its frame weighs a claimed 1,165g plus 490g for the fork, around 200g more than the top-level CF5.
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