It was already occasionally seen racing at the Tour De France in the summer of 2025, but now it's finally official: Merida is challenging the competition with a new Reacto. Following the presentation of the Cannondale SuperSix and the Giant Propel it is the third high-calibre new launch among the established race bikes in just a few days. Merida is no longer one of the suppliers to the WorldTour teams this year. Nevertheless, the Reacto wants to make headlines, as it is said to be one of the fastest bikes on the market.
The most important information about the Merida Reacto V
- Weight of complete wheel: from 7.1 kilogrammes
- Frame/fork weight: 950/475 grammes
- Aerodynamics: from 196 watts (TOUR standard)
- Stack/Reach/STR: 557/395 millimetres/1.41
- Max. tyre clearance: 32 millimetres
- Frame sizes: 3XS, XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL
- Prices (complete wheel): 2999 to 10,999 euros
Two frame variants
The frame of the new Merida is available in two versions: The top variants One, Team and 10K as well as the Reacto 9000 use a high-quality frame labelled CF5. All others are built on a slightly heavier CF3. The CF5 frame should weigh 950 grams in size M, the fork 475 grams. Compared to the Reacto IV, Merida has only saved 11 grams on the frame, but 64 grams on the seat post - the total weight of the frame, fork and components is 1616 grams compared to 1724 grams for the predecessor - a saving of a good 100 grams. The cheaper CF3 frame weighs 1185 grams, the corresponding fork 519 grams. Both frame variants utilise the same geometry and offer identical aerodynamic properties.
New Aero top value
The development crew placed more emphasis on the aerodynamics of the new flagship bike than on the frame weight. The Reacto One, a version specially tuned for maximum speed with a single chainring and aero tyres, reached 196 watts at 45 km/h in the test according to our test protocol. This would put it at the top of the world's fastest race bikes, displacing the Simplon Pride, which had long held this position unchallenged with 199 watts. The Reacto 10K requires 202 watts, the Reacto Team 203 watts, which are also fabulous values that only a few competitors can offer. For comparison: the Reacto IV Team was at 211 watts. The new Reacto 4000 entry-level model with standard wheels and two-piece cockpit achieves 217 watts. With aerodynamically optimised wheels, this value should be reduced to 210 watts.
Merida enlisted the help of aerodynamics experts from wheel supplier Reynolds, which also equips many variants of the new Reacto. The development team carried out hundreds of simulations. 3D-printed prototypes were used to verify the CFD results in the wind tunnel. The team tested the fork, head tube, down tube, seat tube and cockpit individually and in combination. One key to the values is the new cockpit: it is said to contribute to 50 % of the aerodynamic improvement. The fork also has deeper and thinner fork blades and the distance to the front tyre has been increased. A special aero drinking bottle with a matching holder is to be launched on the market shortly.
Our wind tunnel test simulates real conditions with a pedalling dummy and varying angles of attack. The method captures the interaction between rider and bike as well as the behaviour in crosswinds.
Stiffness and Comfort
The fourth generation of the Reacto already offered appropriate comfort with a specially designed seatpost. A new S-Flex seatpost is also a feature of the Reacto V for comfort on uneven surfaces. Tyre clearance has been increased from 30 to 32 millimetres, making the bike even more comfortable to ride. Merida now fits 30-millimetre tyres as standard. The stiffness of the frameset is said to have been minimally improved.
Equipment and model variants
The aerodynamically fastest version is the Reacto One, which weighs 7.4 kg in size M and uses a 1x drive with Classified hub gears in the rear hub. This promises aerodynamic advantages with a full gear range. DT Swiss ARC wheels combined with Continental Aero tyres exploit the full aerodynamic potential. A Rotor power meter is also on board.
The Reacto 10K weighs 7.2 kg and offers balanced aerodynamic performance at a competitive weight. It comes with SRAM Red AXS and carbon wheels from Vision, a SRAM power meter records the performance. The Reacto Team is even lighter with Reynolds wheels, it weighs 7.1 kg and has a Shimano power meter.
A speciality for the German market is the Limited equipment variant, which offers electronic Shimano 105 gears, fast carbon rims and a power meter for 4299 euros.
Merida Reacto One
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura Ace Di2 + Classified Powershift (1x12; 52 t., 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano Dura Ace Disc (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Continental Aero 111 / GP 5000S TR (29/30 mm)
- Impellers: DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut DB 65 Classified (Carbon)
- Weight: 7.4 kg (size M)
- Price: 10,999 Euro
Merida Reacto Team
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura Ace Di2 (2x12; 52/36 t., 11-30 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano Dura Ace Disc (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR (28 mm)
- Impellers: Vision Metron 60 RS i23 (Carbon)
- Weight: 7.1 kg (size M)
- Price: 10,299 Euro
Merida Reacto 10K
- Drive/gear shift: Sram Red AXS (2x12; 50/37 t., 10-36 t.)
- Brakes: Sram Red Disc (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR (28 mm)
- Impellers: Reynolds BL 60 Pro (Carbon)
- Weight: 7.2 kg (size M)
- Price: 10,199 Euro
Merida Reacto 9000
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 52/36 t., 11-30 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra Disc (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR (28 mm)
- Impellers: Reynolds BL 60 Expert DB (Carbon)
- Weight: 7.8 kg (size M)
- Price: 6999 Euro
Merida Reacto 8000
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 52/36 t., 11-30 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra Disc (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR (28 mm)
- Impellers: Reynolds AR 60 DB (Carbon)
- Weight: 8 kg (size M)
- Price: 5999 Euro
Merida Reacto 7000
- Drive/gear shift: Sram Rival AXS E1 (2x12; 48/35 t., 10-36 t.)
- Brakes: Sram Rival AXS (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR (28 mm)
- Impellers: Vision SC 60 i23 (Carbon)
- Weight: 8.4 kg (size M)
- Price: 5299 Euro
Merida Reacto 6000
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 52/36 t., 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano 105 Disc (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TR (28 mm)
- Impellers: Vision SC 60 i23 (Carbon)
- Weight: 8.5 kg (size M)
- Price: 4299 Euro
Merida Reacto Limited
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 52/36 t., 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano 105 Disc (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TR (28 mm)
- Impellers: Vision SC 60 i23 (Carbon)
- Weight: 8.5 kg (size M)
- Price: 4299 Euro
Merida Reacto 5000
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 52/36 t., 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano 105 Disc (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TR (28 mm)
- Impellers: Vision Team 35 (aluminium)
- Weight: 9.0 kg (size M)
- Price: 3399 Euro
Merida Reacto 4000
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 mechanical (2x12; 52/36 t., 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano 105 Disc (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix (28 mm)
- Impellers: Shimano HB-TC500 (aluminium)
- Weight: 9.1 kg (size M)
- Price: 2299 Euro
Jens Klötzer
Editor
