Two geometry options

Before we get too much further, it’s useful to point out the Reacto frame will be available at two levels – CF4 and CF2, both with rim and disc brake options.

The flagship CF4 frame is designed for the pros and has an aggressive race geometry to match. The second-tier CF2, meanwhile, has a more relaxed geometry, aimed at ‘amateur enthusiasts’, according to Merida, rather than Vincenzo Nibali and co.

For example, a M/L (that’s Merida’s equivalent of a 56cm) CF4 frame has a 157mm headtube, whereas the CF2 chassis has a 177mm headtube. The CF2 is also slightly heavier and, as a result, more affordable, while you’ll find a regular handlebar instead of the integrated unit.

Reduced weight

While the Reacto is an aero bike at heart, Merida have also sought to reduce the weight of the frame, primarily through the use of a new carbon layup and by slimming down the tubes.

Merida say the rim brake CF4 frame comes in at 1,010g (with a 368g fork), while the disc version weighs a claimed 1,030g (398g fork). The rim brake CF2 frame, meanwhile, tips the scales at a claimed 1,093g (403g fork) and the disc equivalent weighs 1,150g (443g fork).

Taking a closer look at the CF4 rim brake ‘frame kit’ (that’s the frame, fork, seatpost, seatpost claim and headset), the outgoing Reacto came in at 2,046g, while the new model weighs a claimed 1,695g.

Crucially, however, Merida say the Reacto’s diet hasn’t come at the cost of stiffness. “The old Reacto was already super-stiff. There was no ambition to increase stiffness again,” said Merida’s product direct, Jürgen Falke.

The finer details

While the Reacto is designed with aerodynamic efficiency in mind, Merida say simplicity was high on the design agenda. “Overly complex solutions create a nightmare for mechanics, resulting in costly workshop bills,” said Falke.

So while cables run internally and the integrated cockpit keeps things clean at the front end, the routing is otherwise fairly standard and Merida have sought to make the design as user-friendly as possible. Switching to a larger cable port on the downtube, as seen on the Scultura, is part of that, Merida, say, without reportedly having a negative impact on aerodynamics.

Merida have also used regular direct mount brakes, rather than a proprietary design which could further integrate with the frame, as seen on the like of the Trek Madone. That said, the rear brake continues to live behind the bottom bracket, which is a little baffling to us.

The disc frame, meanwhile, uses the same aluminium cooling fins as the Scultura Disc, in a bid to stop the brakes over-heating and fading on long descents. However, whereas the Scultura used the fins only on the rear brake, the Reacto has them at both ends. The Reacto, by the way, is designed for use with 160mm rotors at the front and rear.

As we’ve already mentioned, the top-end CF4 frame comes with a Vision Metron 5D cockpit (with an integrated Shimano Di2 junction box), while the CF2 continues to use aero headset spacers but compatible with a round stem and handlebar. You can also run the Reacto CF4 with a standard setup.

Both the rim and disc brake frames are based around a BB386 bottom bracket and offer clearance for 25mm tyres. The disc frames use thru-axles at the front and rear. The CF4 gets the same R.A.T. system as the Scultura Disc, with the aim of speeding up wheel changes, while the CF4 gets standard threaded thru-axles.