Merlin Nitro Aero on test
Tested by: Paul Norman | Miles ridden: 328 | Size tested: 54cm | Weight: 7.06kg
This limited edition of Merlin’s aero race bike comes with a full Shimano Dura-ace 9100 spec right down to the chain. Is its performance as competitive as its price?
Frame
The Nitro Aero frame is a mix of 24-tonne and 30-tonne carbon-fibre, with a claimed weight of 1,100g for a size medium, while the high-modulus carbon fork weighs in at 385g.
The tubes have a classic teardrop profile. Many aero framesets now use a truncated Kamm tail profile, which has potential advantages in weight-saving and crosswind stability. But the Merlin Nitro Aero is certainly competitively light and was never a handful in crosswinds.
The rear triangle of the Nitro Aero features chunky chainstays and beefy seatstays. Although the latter do not have an obvious aero profile, they come with a curve, which helps provide a little rear-end compliance.
The fork blades are wide and aero profiled. All cables are internally routed.
Specification
Merlin says the full Dura-ace version of the Nitro Aero is a limited edition. As such, it comes with the latest Dura-ace mechanical groupset, including brakes. The chainset on the test bike is a semi-compact 52/36, coupled with an 11-28t cassette, but Merlin gives you the option to choose your own configuration when you order the bike.
Full Dura-ace really means that. You even get a hollow-pin Dura-ace chain and there are Dura-ace C24 carbon-alloy hybrid clinchers too. With a claimed weight of 1,453g these are light, but not aero. Although full carbon clinchers may be the thing, an alloy brake track doesn’t add a lot of weight and leads to more reassuring stopping in a mix of conditions than some all-carbon wheels.
The cockpit is Deda Superzero alloy. The bars have wide, comfortable tops with a forward sweep, while the stem has a chunky triangular section. There is the option to upgrade to carbon bars.
Ride
With approximately 80 per cent of aerodynamic
resistance coming from the rider, getting a lower position on the bike is a major factor in going faster. In this respect, the Merlin Nitro Aero doesn’t disappoint. It has quite a low ride position as a result of its longish top tube and short head tube. It doesn’t feel too stretched out, though, and I was comfortable enough on longer rides. It’s a bike that one could happily ride in a race but equally on longer sportives.
At just over 7kg, the Nitro Aero is competitively light for an aero machine, helped by the low weight of the Dura-ace components. This translates into a lively ride, the bike feeling fast on the flats and particularly when climbing.
Descents are handled with competence as there’s quite a slack head tube angle, with the alloy brake tracks and excellent Dura-ace calipers meaning you can brake confidently, even in the wet.
Aero frames have a reputation for harshness but there’s enough compliance built into this frame to soak up road imperfections and shield you from the worst surfaces. The comfy saddle, wide bars and thick tape do the rest.
Value
At around £2,300 for a full Dura-ace aero road machine, the Merlin Nitro Aero is great value for money. Even if this bike cost £1,000 more, it would still offer good value.