Merida as a supplier of genuine high-end racing bikes? This idea still needs some time to settle in people's minds. So far, the Taiwanese manufacturer has not been a contender when it comes to absolute top technology. But that is set to change with the second generation of the top-of-the-range Scultura frame. "According to Jürgen Falke, the German head of development at Merida, the new frame should be "a well-rounded package that is among the best road bike frames in the world". The development goals were clearly formulated: low weight, top stiffness and the best possible damping.
Pleasantly normal
Formally, the new Scultura is a frame that has become almost rare in the wake of the comfort and aero hype. You could also say: finally a frame with classic geometry and reasonably round tubes. Nevertheless, everything you would expect from a high-end model in 2012 is on board: internally routed cables, preparation for electric shifting, carbon dropouts. The seat stays are ultra-flat for good damping. The slim seat post serves the same purpose. In addition, the fibre layup is designed to make the Scultura a rolling sedan chair. "Bio-fibre damping" is the name of the technology in which a layer of flax fibres is embedded between the carbon layers in the fork blades, seat stays and chain stays - a process that is already used in frame construction by the Belgian supplier Museeuw and is also used in other sports equipment. Because the natural fibres absorb vibrations faster than carbon, the damping of the construction should be increased. The bottom bracket of the Scultura is also unusual. Behind the relatively new BB386evo standard is the component manufacturer FSA and the idea of combining the advantages of the most important common standards BB86/Press-Fit (wide housing, wide bearing support) and BB30 (large diameter bearings and shaft). Enough preamble, to the
Facts: At 856 grams, ready to mount in size 54 with a 56 centimetre top tube, the Scultura not only fulfils the promise of being a lightweight par excellence. It also doesn't have any other weaknesses in terms of measurements and hits the ceiling of the TOUR evaluation system in three categories - head tube stiffness, bottom bracket stiffness and frame comfort. The well-deserved reward: a final frame score of 1.7, which only very few top frames have been able to beat.
First production bike with SRAM RED
Our test bike was also the first production bike with the new Red groupset from SRAM in the TOUR test. All previous experience with a long-term test groupset indicates that the new Red has taken a big step forward compared to its predecessor and fulfils all the requirements of a top groupset in terms of function and reliability. It was therefore particularly noticeable that the groupset on the Scultura was noticeable in some gears due to high chain noise. We asked Christoph Allwang, professional mechanic at SRAM, who localised the problem at a glance: The chain line is not correct. The reduction sleeves, which are required to mount the Red crank in the BB386evo bottom bracket, move the chainrings so far outwards that the chain runs at an angle in some gears and is correspondingly loud. Although all gears are basically rideable, SRAM obviously had a different idea. Allwang formulates his criticism of this combination diplomatically: The Scultura is not necessarily the frame on which the function of the new Red can be optimally demonstrated.
A top frame on which the latest top groupset doesn't fit perfectly? Whether this is the case could not be finally clarified on the test bike. Other reduction sleeves or a different crank could probably help. The reason why Merida chose the adapter solution at all is because SRAM refuses to guarantee the function of the combination of Red derailleur and cranks from other manufacturers. To be on the safe side, Merida fitted the Red crank instead of the BB386 Evo crank from FSA - with the result described above. Problems like this always loom in the bike industry when new standards and trends make the rounds. In this respect, the Scultura has another problem that was not foreseeable when the model was first developed. According to Merida, the frame was given a very short rear triangle for "particularly aggressive handling". Even with a normal 23-millimetre tyre, there is not much clearance between the rubber and the seat tube. More comfortable, easier rolling 25-millimetre tyres won't fit - no chance. So what, you might say, 23 mm tyres are enough for a racing bike like the Scultura. However, this argument is no longer valid since racing bike rims have increased in width for aerodynamic reasons and wheel manufacturers such as Zipp recommend 25-millimetre tyres. A Scultura with Zipp 303 wheels: This attractive combination is generally possible, but not with the tyres recommended by Zipp.
Now, these limitations certainly don't make the Scultura a bad frame. If, as is likely, the problem with the chain line is solved, the bike offers riding characteristics at Champions League level. Weighing just 6.2 kilos and fully equipped for everyday use, the racer responds spontaneously to acceleration, impresses at high speeds with its combination of absolute smoothness and excellent steering precision and rides remarkably comfortably. The € 6,700 that Merida charges for this package is steep, but within the normal market range. In addition to SRAM Red, the Scultura-SL is also available with the new eleven-speed Dura-Ace from Shimano, which will be available from autumn. You can be sure that after this test, Merida will do everything possible to avoid similar problems with the chainline.
Complete wheel 6,699 euros / 6.2 kilos
Frame set 2,299 Euro
Reference/Info www.merida-bikes.com
Frame sizes** 44, 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 59 cm
Seat/steering angle 74°/74°
Seat/top tube/head tube 540/560/ 162 mm plus 15 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 980/50 mm
Stack/Reach/STR*** 562/397 mm/1.42
EQUIPMENT
Steering bearing top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/2 inch
Brakes/gears SRAM Red
Bottom bracket SRAM Red (50/34 t., BB386 Evo)
Wheels/tyres DT Swiss Tricon RR 1450/Vittoria Diamante Radiale 22 mm
Handlebar/stem FSA K-Force/Procraft PRC
Saddle/post Selle Italia SLR/Procraft PRC Monolink (27.2 mm)
MEASURED VALUES & INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Weight of complete wheel (without pedals) 6.2 kg
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing**** 856/368/69 g
Standardised weight frame set 1.326 g: 1,7
Steering head stiffness 102 Nm/°: 1.0
Lateral stiffness fork 46 N/mm: 2.3
Bottom bracket stiffness 61 N/mm: 1.0
Comfort frame 153 N/mm: 1.0
Comfort fork 81 N/mm: 3.3
* The frame set accounts for 40 per cent of the overall score and the equipment for 60 per cent. Individual grades are included in these evaluations, only some of which are printed for reasons of space. The grades are calculated up to the final grade with all decimal places; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
** Tested frame size greased.
*** Stack/reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the headset; STR (stack to reach): Values between 1 .45 and 1 .55 indicate a sporty riding position, values below are race-like, above are comfortable.
**** Adjusted weight for frame size 57 cm and fork steerer length 225 mm.
