Merdia is giving its SILEX gravel bike a new look. After the successful introduction of the SILEX in 2018, the Taiwanese brand is now launching a new SILEX that brings a number of fine new innovations. The most eye-catching feature of this go-to gravel bike for bikepacking and adventurous trips is the space for wider, more robust tires up to 45mm wide. The world is truly at your feet now!
Photos: Merida Benelux
The new SILEX is, like its predecessor, a versatile, comfortable gravel bike. With the ability to fit 700x45mm tires, you have a beautiful bike in your hands. Not only that, the geometry of the bike has also received a facelift; a longer REACH and a headstock angle that is slightly ‘slimmer’ contribute to improved stability. You notice this especially when the bike is heavily loaded during challenging bikepacking trips, and especially on rougher terrain. Esthetically, you also have a slightly shorter, sportier headstock tube, combined with a longer front fork. This provides a comfortable riding experience, building on the predecessor.
Internal cables
In a world where details matter, the new SILEX comes with WIRE PORT cable routing, a feature that ensures a sleek look and minimizes the annoying rattling and grinding of cables. There is also flexibility in the choice of the group set, with options for both 1x and 2x configurations. You can also mount fenders on your frame. The aluminum frames can be equipped with luggage carriers, making the bike even more versatile.
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Bigger is better
What’s really nice: Merida has equipped the new SILEX with extra-large 180mm brake discs. Bigger is definitely BETTER in this case because bigger brakes mean more braking power. Especially if you go on mountain bike rides with a lot of gear, you simply need this. If the brakes don’t work, that’s no problem at all because combined with their DISC COOLER technology in the carbon models you’re completely safe.
King of the gravel
The performance of the new SILEX speaks for itself, as was clearly evident during the Gravel World Championships, where Bahrain-Victorious rider Matej Mohoric raced to an impressive victory. This proves that the SILEX, in addition to its versatility, also offers speed and power in the most demanding conditions.
The new Merida SILEX gravel bike is already available for €1349, of course in an aluminum version. The top of the range is the SILEX 10k, which has just changed ownership under that 10k mark.
More information about the bikes and the possibilities can be found on the MERIDA website
Questions & tips
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