The concept of the Silex 10K has obviously quickly found favour. Shortly after Mohoric' World Cup victory the top-of-the-range version of the new gravel bike was sold out. As Merida announced on request, the limited edition model will no longer be produced for the German market for the time being. A questionable decision, as the 10K hardly had any weaknesses in the TOUR test. In addition, there is a technical gap to the next equipment variant (Silex 7000) - more on this later.
Compared to its five-year-old predecessor, the new Silex has a sportier, more stretched-out riding position, and the STR-plus ratio of 1.15 is on a par with current marathon bikes. Overall, however, the frame geometry is extreme, even for smooth-running gravel bikes. The combination of a slack steering angle (69.5 degrees), large fork caster (79 millimetres) and long wheelbase (1080 millimetres) make the Silex an extremely track-following companion.
Dropper post instead of standard support
This makes the off-road bike easy to control even on rough terrain, especially as the test bike benefits from the tubeless tyres and smoothes out small bumps. The maximum tyre clearance is exhausted with the 45 millimetre wide Maxxis tyres. The overall suspension level is decent, although the Silex is a little less compliant at the rear than comparable models with conventional carbon seatposts thanks to a radio-controlled telescopic seatpost. The advantage of the dropper post from Rockshox: In technical (downhill) passages, the saddle can be lowered by pressing both shift buttons simultaneously, increasing riding safety.
The SRAM drivetrain also reflects the adventure-ready concept: the combination of road bike crankset (Red, 42 teeth) and electronic mountain bike derailleur and cassette (X01 Eagle, 10-52 teeth) provides enough gears for demanding off-road trails - albeit with fairly large jumps between gears. Thanks to a power meter, you can check how much power you are putting on the pedals while riding. Remarkable: Brake discs with a diameter of 180 millimetres are bolted to both wheels and the brake callipers are also equipped with cooling fins. As a result, the 10K should decelerate quickly and safely even under maximum load.
Comparatively low weight
At just under nine kilograms, the Silex is relatively light; comparable "adventurers" are usually significantly heavier on the TOUR scales. However, you don't have to do without typical attachment points - the frame set is approved for 120 kilograms: Bags, a toolbox or fixed mudguards can be mounted on the frame and fork.
In order to reach the water bottle even when using a large frame bag, the magnetic holder system from Fidlock is screwed onto the down tube. Merida only provides eyelets for a pannier rack on the aluminium versions of the Silex, which have also been revised. A mini-tool that fits under the saddle and offers eleven functions is well-intentioned. However, after our test rides in muddy terrain, the tool was unusable as it was stuck in the holder due to the encrusted dirt.
However, this should in no way detract from the overall very positive test impression. The Silex 10K is a versatile gravel bike that doesn't shy away from difficult terrain and is equipped for multi-day tours. With the aforementioned restriction that Merida will no longer be selling the top model until further notice. However, many of the findings are also transferable to other equipment variants.
The Silex 7000 (3749 euros) currently offers the highest quality equipment - with a mechanical twelve-speed GRX and aluminium wheels from Easton. However, a new top model is already in the starting blocks, as can be seen from the press kit: Merida lists a Silex 8000 (€ 5499), which is still awaiting its official launch due to an embargo on unspecified components. The price point indicates that the version will have electronic shifting. The obvious conclusion: after the mechanical GRX, Shimano should soon present a Di2 version of the new gravel groupset.
Merida Silex 10K in detail
- Price: 9599 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 8.9 kilos
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- TOUR overall grade: 1,9
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 499/580/171 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 617/402 millimetres/1.53
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 669/580 millimetres/1.15
- Wheelbase/caster: 1080/79 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift (1.5): SRAM Red/X01 Eagle AXS (1x12; 42, 10-52 t.)
- Brakes (1.0): SRAM Red (180/180 mm)
- Tyres (1.0): Maxxis Rambler 45 mm (eff.: 48 mm)
- Impellers: Reynolds Blacklabel G700 Pro
- Impeller weights: 1563/1959 grams (front/rear)
Measured values
- Driving stability (2.0): 7.64 N/mm
- Rear comfort (2.0): 129 N/mm
- Comfort front (2.7): 92 N/mm
- Cadence/bottom bracket stiffness (1.0): 60 N/mm
Julian Schultz
Editor
