2021 Merida Reacto Disc 4000 Road Bike - Red Black

Merida's reacto has always been a class leading aero bike, combining state of the art aerodynamics and comfort. The 4th generation reacto is more slippery and beautiful than ever, incorporating wider tyres and much neater cockpit cable integration. With its predecessor delivering almost unrivalled aerodynamic performance we had to look at the smallest incremental improvements.

Computational fluid dynamics (cfd) calculations modelled performance in a virtual wind tunnel to optimise aerodynamics guiding the changes which gave most aerodynamic benefit: new fork design, smoothly integrated into the frame, significant 2 watt improvementnew handlebar design completely integrating the cables, saves about 2 watts per cableincreased gap between the tyre and seat stays and between the tyre and fork crown and blades optimises airflow in those key areas.

A lower junction between the seat stays and seat tube further reduces drag. Further small details such as integrating the front disc cooler behind the fork and the rear in the rear triangle and creating new through axles with the thread integrated into the fork dropout also minimise drag and improve aerodynamic performance. All these improvements enable Merida to over-compensate the aerodynamic compromises made to give the bike bigger tyres.

The result: the perfect package of comfort, aerodynamic, lightweight and style. Prototypes were wind tunnel tested following the german tour magazine standard, including the moving leg dummy test. The new reacto needs just 209 watts effort for 45 km/h speed, 1 watt faster than its predecessor, and in the leading group of aero road bikes ever tested by tour magazine.The 4000 uses a cf3 frame, the same geometry and features, but with more economic fibres used in the carbon lay-up