The Megadrive frame - identical in construction to the Reacto from sister brand Merida apart from the fork - achieves the same level of weight, comfort and riding stability as good conventional carbon frames with round tubes. The most striking aerodynamic detail is the seat tube, the profile of which is continued in the beautifully integrated, fully height-adjustable seat post. Centurion describes this approach as a "semi-aero design", which puts the model 15 watts behind the best aero models in the wind tunnel - but still nine watts ahead of the reference frame with round tubes. The good comfort of the seat post is astonishing. This is made possible by a cut-out under the seat clamp; the elastomer used there serves primarily to visualise this effect. Compared to the extremely expensive competition in the test, the Megadrive looks like a dumping offer, but it also dispenses with exclusive high-end components. The Ultegra groupset is an upmarket average, whereby the flat Mavic rims counteract the aero claim of the frame. If you are looking for good aero performance, you will have to swap the wheels. The riding position is very stretched.
Price 3,249 Euro
Weight 7.7 kilos
Reference/Info www.centurion.de
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing** 1.044/444/80 g
Frame sizes*** 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 62 cm
Seat/steering angle 73,5°/74°
Seat/top tube/head tube 540/575/162 mm plus 16 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 995/50 mm
Stack/Reach/STR**** 557/409 mm/1.36
EQUIPMENT
Fork Centurion
Steering bearing FSA (top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/2 inch)
Brakes/gears/bottom bracket Shimano Ultegra (50/34 t., BSA)
Wheels/tyres Mavic Ksyrium Equipe/ Maxxis Xenith
Handlebar/stem Procraft/Procraft
Saddle/post Procraft/Centurion
*The overall grade includes: the aerodynamics grade with 20 per cent and the grade for the frame set with 80 per cent. 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.
**Weighed weights.
***Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
****Stack/Reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the upper edge of the headset cap; STR (Stack to Reach): Values 1.45-1.55 mean a sporty riding position, below that race-like, above that comfortable.
