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.