MERIDA SCULTURA 5000
£1750 > Ultegra-equipped endurance ride
Merida has specced a bit more Shimano Ultegra than £1750 normally gets you – and a carbon seatpost – though economies have been made to the brakes and chainset on its endurance-flavoured Scultura 5000. Its distance qualities are reflected in its (just) metre-plus wheelbase, a taller head-tube than a ‘standard’ road bike and Merida’s own Flex Stay chain- and seatstays, which are designed to reduce vibrations. Though its classic race bike 73-degree parallel angles and on-the-money 8kg weight show its aspirations aren’t overly lazy.
Out on the road the Scultura scores highly for tapping out the miles comfortably and at a decent lick. The geometry, with its short-reach drops and tall, back-friendly seat-tube, is ideal if you don’t tend to ride too aggressively. It’s not that it’s slow, but with a 190mm headtube you’re not getting into a super-slow aero tuck. The Flex Stay technology seems to work too, as rear-end comfort is impressive – and without any unwanted efficiency-fleecing lateral flex; we couldn’t get any rear brake rub even when we tried.
If you’re looking for a longdistance bike for reasonably paced rides and you like a slightly more upright riding position, this Merida is a serious challenger to the likes of Specialized’s Roubaix. And at well under £2000 it also represents very decent value.