A new Merida Reacto, the brand’s flagship aero bike, has been a long time coming – not only was the previous generation released in 2020 but we also spotted this model being used more than six months ago by Bahrain Victorious at the Tour de France. With the team now switching to Bianchi for 2026, that leaves this aero bike without a WorldTour focus. Still, Merida makes some bold claims about the bike’s performance…
Now in its fifth generation since being introduced in 2011, Merida says that this Reacto is the “most advanced aero bike we have ever created”.
Although six years have passed since the previous update, which is a long time in the world of bike design and racing, Merida says the previous generation Reacto still holds its own against many of today’s aero rivals.
It says that the key targets for the fifth-generation Reacto were:
- To achieve a sub-200 watt reading at a speed of 45km/h in the wind tunnel, as measured according to the Tour magazine test rules (see below).
- To become lighter without compromising on stiffness targets, targeting a race-ready weight of 6.8kg.
- To maintain the comfort levels set by the previous Reacto.
- To increase tyre clearance to accommodate up to 32mm tyres.
Tour magazine’s aero tests, conducted at the GST wind tunnel in Germany, measure drag at 45km/h using a specialised, pedalling “half-mannequin” (legs only) to simulate realistic airflow interactions (Merida and Tour magazine know that watts isn’t a measurement of drag, of course, but many cyclists are familiar with this metric). Measurements cover yaw angles from -20 to +20 degrees.
The Merida Reacto One achieved 196 watts in these specific testing circumstances (that figure is only comparable with those of other bikes tested in exactly the same way).
The project began in May 2022, and Merida has worked closely with aero specialists at Reynolds to redesign the Reacto “from the ground up” – everything from CFD (computational fluid analysis) and FEM (finite element method) to detailed wind tunnel sessions.
Merida says, “Improving aero values alone would be challenging enough, but unlike most of our competitors, we did not simply focus on pushing the bike below the 200-watt barrier. We also wanted to create one of the most aerodynamic bikes that still maintains impressive comfort and control attributes, all while offering our customers the choice to find the perfect Reacto for their preferred riding and racing style.”
There are 10 models in the new Reacto line-up, with prices starting at £2,400 and going up to £10,000.
The top of the Reacto range is divided into three:
- Reacto One
- Reacto 10K
- Reacto Team
The Reacto One is the outright aero bike. This is the one that got the best figures in the wind tunnel. This one comes with a 1x drivetrain with Classified hub gearing to give a 2x gear range, DT Swiss ARC wheels, and a Rotor power meter. Merida claims a complete bike weight of 7.4kg in a size medium.
Merida describes the Reacto 10K as: “The ultimate all-round aero performer.” Although it performs slightly less well in Tour magazine wind tunnel testing (202 watts), Merida reckons that this one offers excellent stability and crosswind handling. You get a SRAM power meter with this setup, and Merida claims a weight of 7.2kg – so a little lighter than the Reacto One.
The Reacto Team is the lightest in the lineup at 7.1kg. Tour magazine wind tunnel testing is still at an impressive 203 watts. You get a Shimano power meter with this one.
“It is not only the top tier of the Reacto family that excels in terms of its aerodynamic improvements,” says Merida. “The entry-level Reacto 4000, with its standard wheels and two-piece cockpit, achieved an impressive 215 watts in Tour magazine’s wind tunnel test. With a more advanced, aerodynamic wheelset, this figure could be reduced to around 210 watts with relative ease. An impressive achievement for our entry-level aero bike.”
These aero gains have been made possible by changes in UCI regulations.
> Why the aero road bike is making a comeback
“Shortly after the introduction of the Reacto IV, the UCI introduced updated boxes, which made more aerodynamic shapes possible,” says Merida. “While we were not able to fully maximise these new guidelines with the outgoing Reacto, the new Reacto perfectly utilises these aerodynamic boundaries set by the UCI.
“The new Team CW cockpit leads the way in terms of aero improvements, contributing 50% to the overall improvement compared to the previous version (offering a saving of 5 watts compared to standard cockpit options such as the Vision 5D Evo or the Merida Team SL 1P). For a more flush integration of the cockpit and optimised aerodynamics, we have a bigger cut-out at the head tube. This cut-out enables deeper cockpit integration into the frame. Combined with the wing shape, this optimises airflow from the head tube across the top tube, significantly improving aerodynamic efficiency. The combination of deep integration, a ‘Seagull’ shaped profile, and a very flat top-bar profile provides a significant aerodynamic advantage over the Team SL 1P. The Team CW 1P cockpit offers the perfect balance of cutting-edge design, aerodynamic efficiency, and low weight of just 320g.”
The fork now features deeper and thinner legs to reduce drag up front. The head tube has also been updated, especially in the way it integrates with the cockpit and stem areas. The down tube has been positioned further away from the front wheel to improve aerodynamics and reduce weight.
Weight
Speaking of weight, one of the goals with the fifth-generation Reacto was to become lighter without compromising on stiffness targets, according to Merida. It says that they aimed to get as close to the UCI’s minimum weight limit of 6.8kg as possible, but their lightest build is the Reacto Team model, which has a complete bike weight of 7.1kg (size M).
We are seeing many aero bikes hit the minimum UCI weight limit of 6.8kg with the new Giant Propel Advanced SL claimed to weigh just 6.5kg in its lightest build and the Rose Shave FFX complete bike a claimed 6.7 kg (size M/L).
Geometry
2026 Merida Reacto Geometry chart (Image Credit: Merida)
The Reacto has long been a popular choice for recreational riders, thanks to its comfortable yet fast ride. Liam reviewed the previous model and was very impressed.
Let’s take the medium-sized Reacto. It has a 560mm top tube, 540mm seat tube, and 140mm head tube. The stack is 557mm and the reach is 395mm, giving a stack/reach ratio of 1.41. The Giant Propel Advanced SL has the same stack/reach ratio and the Rose Shave FFX has a stack/reach ratio of 1.40.
Comfort
Another goal with the new Reacto was to maintain the comfort levels set by the previous Reacto model, and the brand says it has produced “one of the most aerodynamic bikes [that] still maintains impressive comfort and control”.
We’ve not ridden it so we can’t comment on that, although the fact that tyre clearance has been increased from 30mm to 32mm (with 5mm clearance all round) doubtless helps. Many recently launched aero road bikes can take wider tyres. For example, the latest Cervelo S5 can handle tyres up to 34mm, and the Rose Shave FFX has space for up to 35mm tyres.
Models, pricing and availability
The new Merida Reacto is available in two frame levels: CF5 and CF3, with a third to be added soon.
They share the same geometry and offer identical aerodynamic performance; it’s just that the CF3 is the more affordable option.
There’s a total of 10 models in the Reacto line-up, with prices starting at £2,400 for the Reacto 4000 and topping out at £10,000 for the flagship Reacto One.
Giant’s flagship Propel aero bike, also released today, is priced similarly at £10,499, Rose Bike released their Shave aero bike last month, with the top-tier FFX costing €8,500 (~ £7,400), and Ribble’s Ultra-Aero SL R Hero with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 is £7,999.
There are more expensive aero bikes out there too, such as the Factor One priced at £12,899 with SRAM Red and the Colnago Y1Rs starts at £11,794.
Reacto One (£10,000)
Frame Reacto CF5
Groupset Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Wheels DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut DB 65 Classified
Weight 7.4kg
Reacto 10K (£9,500)
Frame Reacto CF5
Groupset SRAM Red AXS
Wheels Reynolds BL 60 Pro
Weight 7.2kg
Reacto Team (£9,500)
Frame Reacto CF5
Groupset Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Wheels Vision Metron 60 RS i23 Clincher TL
Weight 7.1kg
Reacto Pro (£7,500)
Frame Reacto CF5
Groupset Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Wheels DT-Swiss ARC 1600 SPLINE
Weight Unknown
Reacto 9000 (£6,250)
Frame Reacto CF5
Groupset Shimano Ultegra Di2
Wheels Reynolds BL 60 Expert
Weight 7.8kg
Reacto 8000 (£5,000)
Frame Reacto CF3
Groupset Shimano Ultegra Di2
Wheels Reynolds AR 60
Weight 8kg
Reacto 7000 (£4,750)
Frame Reacto CF3
Groupset SRAM Rival AXS
Wheels Vision SC 60 i23 Disc brake
Weight 8.4kg
Reacto 6000 (£3,800)
Frame Reacto CF3
Groupset Shimano 105 Di2
Wheels Vision SC 60 i23 Disc brake
Weight 8.5kg
Reacto 5000 (£3,000)
Frame Reacto CF3
Groupset Shimano 105 Di2
Wheels Vision Team 35 Clincher Disc
Weight 9kg
Reacto 4000 (£2,400)
Frame Reacto CF3
Groupset Shimano 105
Wheels Merida Expert
Weight 9.1kg
Merida says that the technology from the Reacto has been incorporated in the lightweight Scultura models, and hints at technology moving to their gravel lineup too.
For more information, head over to Merida’s website.
