When Merida set out to design the new Reacto, it had one major goal in mind: to create a bike fast enough to break the 200-watt barrier, as measured by Tour Magazine in its wind-tunnel tests. The German cycling publications independent wind-tunnel tests have become a benchmark in the industry for how well road bikes perform. The 200-watt barrier refers to the pedalling power required to overcome drag at 45km/h, which only two bikes have surpassed. According to Tour Magazine, the 2022 Simplon Pride II had an aero drag of 199W and the Storck Aerfast.5 Pro achieved 198W. The new Giant Propel is the lightest aero bike weve ever seen So how fast is the new Reacto? Merida says the new Reacto is 2.5 per cent quicker than the previous generation of the bike. Merida Merida says the previous-generation Reacto IV, which was one of the best-value aero bikes, and was released back in 2021, required 211W to overcome its own drag. For its latest aero bike, Merida has managed to shave that figure down to 206W for the top-spec Reacto One (10,000 / 11,500), according to a Tour Magazine test. However, there are some caveats to this figure. Merida says the Reacto IV and the new Reacto One were both fitted with the brands SL 1P cockpit and 60mm-deep wheels. But the newest version was fitted with a wider 30mm tyre, because the clearance of the bike has increased from 28mm to 32mm, which Hutchinson recently suggested could be faster than 30mm. The new Reacto One is also fitted with a Classified Powershift hub and 1x drivetrain, which would help reduce aero drag compared to a more conventional 2x setup. Yet, Merida adds that if you switch the SL 1P cockpit for its new CW 1P design, the Reacto One drops below 200W and achieves 196W. The bike can be fitted with the new CW 1P, a gull-shaped cockpit. Merida The CW 1P is similar to the cockpit found on the Colnago Y1Rs. Merida The CW 1P cockpit is a gull wing design similar to that found on the Colnago Y1Rs. Merida says the V-shape and foil profile maximise efficiency in all wind conditions, and its ergonomic shape ensures comfort and relief during even the most demanding rides. The bar is available for the top Reacto One and the Reacto 10k (9,500 / 11,000), which features a 2x SRAM Red AXS groupset, and still achieves a score of 202W, according to Tour Magazine and Merida. This means the new Merida Reacto is faster than the Simplon and Storck bikes tested by Tour Magazine and faster than aero bikes from bigger brands. Tour Magazine said the 2021 Canyon Aeroad scored 202W and the latest Cervlo S5 scored 204W. Aerodynamic shapes Merida has refined the Reacto's tube shapes following a change in UCI regulations. Merida Alongside the new bar, Merida has made use of changes in UCI regulations to make the Reacto faster. Merida says the bike utilises the aerodynamic boundaries set by the UCI, which we can take to mean the change in tube ratios. In 2022, cyclings governing body said bicycle tubes could be eight times longer than they were wide, whereas the ratio had previously been 3:1. The previous Reacto was released just before this change, and therefore couldnt make use of it, but the latest version has. As we remarked when we spotted the unreleased bike at last years Tour de France, the new Reactos head tube is far deeper than the previous version. This is one of the latest trends in road bike design and is particularly notable on the latest Ridley Noah. The Reacto now has a deep head tube, following one of the biggest trends in current road bike design. Merida Merida says it has also updated the Reactos fork shape, which now features deeper and thinner fork legs to reduce air drag at the fork/tyre intersection. Updates have also been made to the head tube, especially in terms of integrating the cockpit and stem areas into the frame. The downtube has been positioned further away from the front wheel to improve aerodynamics and reduce weight, Merida explains. The Taiwanese company also paid attention to the position and integration of water bottles. We maintained a more conventional aero downtube profile, but are very close to releasing our own aero bottle and cage combination, which, when used on the new Reacto, easily outperforms the often-seen cradle-shaped downtubes that hide a classic bottle and cage combination, it says. Speed isnt everything Merida says it has ensured the new Reacto is comfortable and lighter than before to make it an "all-rounder". Merida Just as Tour Magazine doesnt only consider aerodynamic performance in its overall ranking of road bikes, Merida says it has balanced the Reacto's speed with comfort. We also wanted to create one of the most aerodynamic bikes that still maintains impressive comfort and control attributes, Merida says. Merida says it has managed to achieve a comfortable ride quality comparable to a classic, thin-tubed road bike, by combining the compliance of the S-Flex seatpost with the clearance for 32mm tyres. But it should be noted that none of the 10 models available at launch come with tyres this wide. Merida adds that the carbon layup of the bike achieves a balance of stiffness and flex: Balancing the contrasting needs of comfort and efficiency is no easy task, but by using knowledge gained over years of carbon fibre manufacture and the efforts of our in-house testers and world-class athletes, weve found what we feel is the correct balance in each area of the bike. Merida says it could be possible to get the top Reacto models under the UCI weight limit. Merida Merida says it has also reduced the weight of the Reacto. The Reacto 10k is the lightest version in the new range with a claimed weight of 7.1kg, but Merida says it could be possible to get the bike under the UCI weight limit of 6.8kg. It claims this combination of aerodynamics, comfort and low weight makes the Reacto a more versatile aero all-roudner and that this makes it hugely significant amongst road racing professionals as well as speed loving enthusiasts. The Reacto is available with two carbon levels. The top five models in the range use the lighter CF5 frame, which is 11g lighter than the previous generation, while the complete frameset weighs 108g less at 1,616.2g in a size medium. Meanwhile, the CF3 frameset available on bikes ranging from 2,400 / 2,800 to 5,000 / 5,750 weighs 1,704g in the same size. The framesets have the same geometry and offer identical aerodynamic performance. Merida Reacto geometry 3XS XXS XS S M L XL Seat tube (mm) 440 470 500 520 540 560 590 Top tube (mm) 506 521 535 545 560 575 590 Chainstay (mm) 410 410 410 410 410 410 410 Head tube angle (degrees) 70.5 70.5 72 72.5 73.5 73.5 74 Seat tube angle (degrees) 75.5 74.5 74 74 73.5 73 73 Head tube (mm) 100 105 112 128 140 155 175 Reach (mm) 373 377 384 390 395 400 409 Stack (mm) 512 517 529 542 557 571 593 Wheelbase (mm) 981 987 984 992 992 1,002 1,011 Edit Table Merida Reacto range overview Reacto One Frame: Reacto CF5 V Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Wheelset: DT Swiss ARC 1100 with Classified Powershift hub Tyres: Continental Aero 111 / Continental GP5000s TR, 700x30c Weight: 7.4kg Price: 10,000 / 11,500 Reacto 10k Frame: Reacto CF5 V Groupset: SRAM Red AXS Wheelset: Reynolds BL 60 Pro Tyres: Continental GP5000s TR, 700x28c Weight: 7.2kg Price: 9,500 / 11,000 Reacto Team Frame: Reacto CF5 V Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Wheelset: Vision Metron 60 RS i23 Clincher TL Tyres: Continental GP5000s TR, 700x28c Weight: 7.1kg Price: 9,500 / 11,000 Reacto Pro Frame: Reacto CF5 V Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Wheelset: DT Swiss ARC 1600 Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TR, 700x28c Weight: Not stated Price: 7,500 / 8,750 Reacto 9000 Frame: Reacto CF5 V Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Wheelset: Reynolds BL 60 Expert DB Tyres: Continental GP5000s TR, 700x28c Weight: 7.8kg Price: 6,250 / 7,250 Reacto 8000 Frame: Reacto CF3 V Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Wheelset: Reynolds AR 60 DB Tyres: Continental GP5000s TR, 700x28c Weight: 8kg Price: 5,000 / 5,750 Reacto 7000 Frame: Reacto CF3 V Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS Wheelset: Vision SC 60 i23 Tyres: Continental GP5000s TR, 700x28c Weight: 8.4kg Price: 4,750 / 5,500 Reacto 6000 Frame: Reacto CF3 V Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 Wheelset: Vision SC 60 i23 Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TR, 700x28c Weight: 8.5kg Price: 3,800 / 4,400 Reacto 5000 Frame: Reacto CF3 V Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 Wheelset: Vision Team 35 Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TR, 700x28c Weight: 9kg Price: 3,000 / 3,500 Reacto 4000 Frame: Reacto CF3 V Groupset: Shimano 105 Wheelset: Shimano Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TR, 700x28c Weight: 9.1kg Price: 2,400 / 2,800

The new Merida Reacto finds itself without a WorldTour team for 2026, but at these prices, it doesn't matter

CyclistThe new Merida Reactos UCI-illegal cockpit is its key to aero gainsAfter losing its sponsorship on the WorldTour, Merida has hit back by launching a new Reacto. Billed as the fastest road bike the brand has ever made, the fifth-generation aero bike is claimed to be around 5% faster than the previous model with similar spec. A large part of this improvement is credited to a narrow wing-shaped cockpit, which is said to be the source of half the Reactos improvements. Further aero improvements come via a deeper head tube and a slimmer seat tube to save both weight and watts. Other additions include a pair of aero-optimised bottles, which are still in development, a wider 32mm tyre clearance and a broad range of spec options for British and European customers.Merida Reacto 2026 builds start from 2,400 / 2,800, with the option for premium builds paired with top-end Shimano and SRAM groupsets along with a Classified hub to support 1x configurations. Related Posts All the WorldTour team bikes, tech and kit 2026 Best road bikes 2026 ridden and reviewed Best aero road bikes 2026 reviewed The aerodynamicsMeridaThe Reacto has been Meridas top aero bike since its introduction in 2011. Last updated in 2021, the previous generation was piloted to two Monument wins courtesy of Meridas former WorldTour team, Bahrain Victorious. While the brand has since dropped from the WorldTour over the winter, the new Reacto was developed alongside the brands former Grand Tour riders.On the whole, Merida focused its testing on a riding speed of 45kmh and a cadence of 84rpm the same criteria as the Tour Magazine test. In the early phase of development, Meridas engineers used an aluminium skeleton to test several different tube profiles in the wind tunnel, allowing the brand to experiment with potential shapes without needing to 3D print a new frame. Ultimately, the goal was to create a bike that would result in a drag score lower than 200W in that Tour Magazine simulation.The Reacto One, the top spec, managed to reach that target, having accumulated 196W of drag at 45kmh. Overall, the brand says its 5% faster than its predecessor.In other words, it is said to be ten watts more efficient than its predecessor in Meridas test conditions.Aerodynamic drag at 45kph (Tour Magazine conditions)Reacto One: 196WReacto 10K: 202WReacto Team: 203WDeeper head tube, thinner seat tubeCyclist/Ewan WilsonAs a result of the wind-tunnel and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) tests, many of the tubes on the new Reacto have been altered to improve airflow. Towards the front, this is noticeable at the forks and the head tube, which appears deeper than its predecessor, following a wider trend within the aero bike space.Cyclist/Ewan WilsonTowards the rear triangle, the seat tube has also changed in appearance, this time looking thinner. While the seat tubes of most aero bikes, including the previous Reacto, tightly follow the shape of the wheels, the new model has a unique cutout between the bottom bracket and the seat stay junction. The slimmer shape saves weight, and the brand claims it benefits the Reactos aero performance by one watt at 45kmh.The bike now accommodates a tyre clearance of 32mm on the front and rear.Lighter seat postCyclist/Ewan WilsonIn the pursuit of comfort, weight and aero gains, the seatpost was a key point of focus for Meridas designers.On a weight front, the seatposts weight has been cut by roughly 35%, now totalling 106g. Some of those savings have been attributed to the relocation of the Shimano Di2 battery, which can now be found towards the bottom bracket.The seatpost clamp system has completely changed to benefit both weight and aesthetics. On the previous model, it used to be positioned in a triangle shape under the top tube. In the new model, the triangle has been removed, and the clamp appears on the rear side of the seat tube in what Merida says is a more accessible location.Flex is said to have been improved with the new seatpost too, plus a standard 0mm offset is claimed to support a more comfortable ride fit and a more efficient pedalling position.Otherwise, a cutout towards the saddle clamp is expected to house an integrated light, but that is still to be developed. For the moment, it is covered by a piece of rubber.New handlebar, with UCI illegal widths availableCyclist/Ewan WilsonTo improve frontal aero performance, Merida has introduced the Team CW 1P handlebar for the updated Reacto. Weighing 320g, the bars follow a seagull-like shape, similar to that on the Colnago Y1Rs. The brand claims the new cockpit offers a five-watt saving when compared to the older generations system.When we started the development of the Reacto, it was shortly before the UCI introduced the rule for lever inclination limitation, Merida product manager Jens Steinsberger says. At that time, flare was of interest. We then made an adjustable prototype and used it for track testing so we could adjust the width and the flare angle. We used it for aero testing on the track with some of the former [Bahrain Victorious] riders, and finalised the geometry based on their feedback.We were ready with the project, and then we heard rumours last spring that the UCI would change the rules again.Cyclist/Ewan WilsonSteinsberger is referring to a set of new UCI rules on equipment brought in at the beginning of 2026 in an attempt to improve rider safety. The governing body has ruled that bars cant be wider than 400mm. The rule also states that the inner edges of the brake levers must be no more than 320mm apart. For context, the narrowest Reacto cockpit is 305mm wide in the hoods and 380mm wide in the drops. However, to compete in UCI-sanctioned events, from Grand Tour to local level, cockpits must comply with the rule. The news came late in the day for Meridas engineers, who had already settled on the Reactos new cockpit.Some of our models were already too narrow. We didnt want to lose all the drag reduction achieved with the original designs, so last summer we decided to have one more size option, which is actually as narrow as the UCI allows, Steinsberger continues. We have a lot of options, and its possible for everyone to have even a faster handlebar option than the UCI permits.The brand has clarified that most of the bikes coming to production will have the legal handlebar, but the illegal widths will be available after market. The Reacto One and 1K, however, are specced with the UCI-illegal handlebars. The remaining models feature wider handlebars: the SL1P from the previous generation Reacto and a revised CW1P.Aero bottles on the wayCyclist/Ewan WilsonLike with the Trek Madone, Wilier Filante and Argon-18 Nitrogen, the Reacto has designed a pair of custom aero bottles and cages to minimise drag.When tested with a rider on board, Merida claims one aero bottle, housed on the down tube, saves 2.5 watts at 45kmh when compared against a traditional bottle and cage. If paired together with another bottle on the seat tube, the bidons save 3.4 watts at 45kmh according to Meridas testing.The aero bottles are still in the works, however. The brand says they will be put on the market when theyre ready, meaning they wont come stocked at release. From the samples we saw last week, however, it appears the bottles will be able to stand on their own, something rival brands havent been able to achieve yet.Small changes in overall weightCyclist/Ewan WilsonIn terms of weight, the Reacto hasnt shed much.The Reactos CF5 frame, found on the top specs, tips the scales at 950g, an 11g reduction from the previous model. The CF3 frame, made using a more affordable carbon layup, is 250g heavier and appears on the lower-grade specs. The geometry of both frames is the same, however, and both are the same level of stiffness.When fully built, the Reacto Team is the lightest bike in the range, coming to 7.1kg in a medium size.Merida Reacto specs and pricesCyclist/Ewan WilsonThe Merida Reacto boasts a broad range of equipment across the 11 spec levels.The top-level Reacto One (10,000) comes with a 1x Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, the UCI-violating handlebars and a Classified hub. For contrast, the budget-friendly Reacto 9000 (2,400) comes with a mechanical Shimano 105 groupset and tips the scales at 9.1kg.In the UK, prices range from 2,700 to 10,000. As for EU customers, prices vary from 2,800 to 11,500. All bikes are available in sizes from XXXS to XL.Merida Reacto specs and pricesMerida Reacto OnePrice: 10,000 / 11,500Frame and fork: Reacto CF5Groupset: Shimano Dura Ace Di2 112Bars: Merida Team CW 1PSeatpost: Merida Reacto S-FlexSaddle: Prologo Nago R4 PASWheels: DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut DB 65 ClassifiedTyres: Continental Aero 111/Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR, 700x29CMerida Reacto 10KPrice: 9,500 / 11,000Frame and fork: Reacto CF5Groupset: SRAM Red AXS 212Bars: Merida Team CW 1PSeatpost: Merida Reacto S-FlexSaddle: Prologo Nago R4 PASWheels: Reynolds BL 60 ProTyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR, 700x28CMerida Reacto TeamPrice: 9,500 / 11,000Frame and fork: Reacto CF5Groupset: Shimano Dura Ace Di2 212Bars: Vision Metron 5D ACR EVOSeatpost: Merida Reacto S-FlexSaddle: Prologo Nago R4 PASWheels: Vision Metron 60 RS i23Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR, 700x28CMerida Reacto ProPrice: 7,500 / 8,750Frame and fork: Reacto CF5Groupset: Shimano Dura Ace Di2 212Bars: Merida Team SL 1PSeatpost: Merida Reacto S-FlexSaddle: Prologo Scratch M5Wheels: DT-Swiss ARC 1600 SplineTyres: Continental Grand Prix TR, 700x28CMerida Reacto 9000Price: 6,250 / 7,250Frame and fork: Reacto CF5Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 212Bars: Vision Metron 5D ACR EVOSeatpost: Merida Reacto S-FlexSaddle: Prologo Nago R4 PASWheels: Reynolds BL 60 Expert DBTyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR, 700x28CMerida Reacto 8000Price: 5,000 / 5,750 Frame and fork: Reacto CF3Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 212Bars: Vision Metron 5D ACR EVOSeatpost: Merida Reacto S-FlexSaddle: Prologo Scratch M5Wheels: Reynolds AR 60 DBTyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR, 700x28CMerida Reacto 7000Price: 4,750 / 5,500Frame and fork: Reacto CF3Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS 212Bars: Merida Team SL 1PSeatpost: Merida Reacto S-FlexSaddle: Akero RS PAS T2.0Wheels: Vision SC 60 i23Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR, 700x28CMerida Reacto 6000Price: 3,800 / 4,400Frame and fork: Reacto CF3Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 212Bars: Merida Team SL 1PSeatpost: Merida Reacto S-FlexSaddle: Akero RS PAS T2.0Wheels: Vision SC 60 i23Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR, 700x28CMerida Reacto 5000Price: 3,000 / 3,500Frame and fork: Reacto CF3Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 212Bars: Merida Expert CWSeatpost: Merida Reacto S-FlexSaddle: Akero RS PAS T2.0Wheels: Vision Team 35Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TR, 700x28CMerida Reacto 4000Price: 2,400 / 2,800Frame and fork: Reacto CF3Groupset: Shimano 105 212Bars: Merida Expert CWSeatpost: Merida Reacto S-FlexSaddle: Akero RS PAS T2.0Wheels: Vision Team 35Tyres: Continental Grand Prix, 700x28CThe post The new Merida Reactos UCI-illegal cockpit is its key to aero gains appeared first on Cyclist.

Why are you grinning, anyway? Did you bag a new KOM today? Bumped up your FTP? Treated yourself to a shiny new 14,000 aero bike? Or are you simply smiling because the light is hitting the trees just right?A big grin makes people suspicious at least when there is no obvious reason for it. In a world obsessed with efficiency, joy often seems to need a result to validate it. Its almost as if a good feeling requires a technical data sheet. And yet we constantly feel the need to explain why we ride. Why this bike? Why these wheels? Why 200 kilometres on a Sunday? Why an Aperol instead of a protein shake?Particularly in the performance segment, from road racing to gravel racing, the tech can sometimes smother the very thing that got us on a bike in the first place: the simple act of riding. We debate tire widths as if they were matters of faith, and dissect aero figures like stock market charts. Do not get us wrong: We love technology, innovation and fast bikes. In this issue, we put the most exciting aero race bikes through their paces in a proper group test, and yes; it is brilliant. But does the kit really make us better riders? Or is it often about the feeling of riding what the pros ride, and looking outrageously fast while doing so? That is perfectly fine, as long as we are honest with ourselves. Sometimes, less analysis means more experience.For many of us, cycling is an escape. But what exactly are we escaping from? To clear our heads, as the saying goes? From stress. From expectations. From pressure to perform. From being constantly available. Sometimes even from ourselves. The bike becomes therapy. A pause button. A reset.How Andreas Kirschner breaks the rules of the industry in Cyprus and, with Falkenjagd and Parapera, creates timeless companions for a lifetime. Our homestory with 1bike4life.Here is the irony: even in escape mode, we bring the same old patterns with us. Optimisation. Performance anxiety. Social pressure. The ride turns into a training session. Freedom becomes a metric. The escape becomes the next performance review.We plan bikepacking trips like military operations, and simulate routes down to the smallest detail. But are we preparing for the ride, or are we just postponing the real adventure through endless planning?Whats the best aero road bike of 2026? Six hot aero machines in our group test. Do these cutting-edge bikes really make you a better rider, or does the experience still matter most in the end?Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is simply get out and go. Just ride. Without explaining yourself. Without justifying anything. Freedom means no longer needing to be understood. The moment you stop trying to explain yourself, everything feels lighter. Let everyone else overthink it.Gravel set out to bring back simple riding. Fewer rules, more feeling. Now it has its own subcategories, performance pressure and pro attitudes. Thats not a bad thing in itself theres room for both all-out competition and total nonchalance. What matters is that the original spirit does not get lost along the way.When the noise in your head finally fades: in our INSOMNIA story, we explore the battle with your own expectations and the pressure to perform.Maybe we need to relearn to forget about getting better, at least for a while. Just ride. Not for numbers, not for proof, and certainly not for social media. But for that one moment when the tires hum over the surface, you feel the effort burning in your lungs, and everything in your head suddenly goes quiet.Cycling is not a business plan and not a performance report. It is the purest form of movement. And that movement is its own reward.Unconditional.Enjoy the mix of articles that have made it into this issue, and grab yourself some inspiration! Get the latest issue directly on your device if you already have our app. Otherwise, simply install it from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or the Play Store (Android Smartphones & Tablets).Der Beitrag UNCONDITIONAL CYCLING the new GRAN FONDO issue #032 is here! erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

Megan Huws is back on the live blog to (hopefully) keep you entertained with all the cycling news and views as we head towards the weekend

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