The Silex combines a tall headtube and long reach with a short stem (80mm or 90mm, depending on the frame size) to put the rider in a more upright riding position. That gives a clue as to the type of rider the Silex is aimed at – endurance riders more concerned with long-distance, all-terrain comfort than full-gas racing – and, according to Merida, has the dual benefit of maintaining stiffness in the front-end and improving off-road control.

“There are many bikes out there with a so-called endurance geometry, but the actual difference is very small,” according to Merida. “Usually the difference is just a longer headtube and a shorter reach.

Needless to say, the Silex is a disc-specific frame, and has thru-axles at the front and rear. You’ll also find Merida’s finned disc brake cooler on the non-driveside chainstay, a feature first introduced on the Scultura Disc last year and subsequently appearing on the Reacto Disc when the aero bike was launched in June.

The frame is compatible with 1x and 2x drivetrains, with a neat cover supplied for the front derailleur mount if you are running a single-chainring setup. Internal cable routing and an integrated seatpost clamp also give the Silex a smart finish from front to back.

Merida will offer the Silex in eight builds. Three will be based around the carbon fibre frame, with SRAM Force 1, Shimano Ultegra and SRAM Apex 1 drivetrains respectively, while five will use the aluminium frame, dressed in Shimano Ultegra, SRAM Apex 1, Shimano 105, SRAM Apex 1 (this time with a Sunrace cassette, FSA Gossamer chainset and mechanical disc brakes) and Shimano Sora. All will come with 35mm semi-slick tyres co-developed with Maxxis. Prices are to be confirmed.

Website: Merida Bikes