Road bikes with mechanical gears: The Merida Scultura Endurance 400 in the TOUR test
Julian Schultz
· 08.04.2023
Merida Scultura Endurance 400 - Reliable companion
The Scultura Endurance 400 is the only marathon bike from the Taiwanese manufacturer based on a robust aluminium frame. Incidentally, Merida is still flying the flag for mechanical shifting on road bikes: in addition to the test bike, which has a new paint job for the current model year, Merida also has two other marathon bikes and five competition bikes with mechanical eleven-speed shifting from Shimano in its range.
In our test of road bikes with mechanical gears, the Merida is the heaviest. The weight difference to the carbon version, with which it shares geometry and equipment, is almost 800 grams. The bike is correspondingly sluggish when accelerating, but it is also not designed for fast sprints and speed chases.
Attractive road bike for the winter
Instead, it presents itself as a reliable companion with comfortable riding behaviour. In addition to the emphatically upright riding position, the carbon seat post with its excellent damping also contributes to this, which means that the Merida doesn't have to shy away from comparison with more expensive models.
The voluminous Maxxis tyres, up to 35 millimetres are possible, underline the good suspension and also cope with rough surfaces, but could roll more easily on asphalt. Mounting points on the frame and fork allow mudguards to be retrofitted, making the Scultura an attractive training bike for the winter months, for example. With the 1:1 gear ratio of Shimano's 105, steep climbs can be taken under the tyres.
Inexpensive brake discs, which reduce braking performance for heavy riders under full load, and a simple KMC chain spoil the picture somewhat, but can be replaced for little money. The workmanship is decent, only the weld seams on the bottom bracket are a little bulging. A small mini-tool under the saddle is only included with the carbon models, which are at least 700 euros more expensive.
The Merida Scultura Endurance 400 in detail
- Price1999 Euro
- Weight: 9,4 Kilo
- Frame/fork/steering bearing weight* 1575/520/78 grammes
- Frame sizes** XS, S, M, L, XL
- Seat/top tube/head tube 510/555/178 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 593/376 millimetres/1.58
- Wheelbase/caster 1010/59 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/Circuit Shimano 105 (2x11; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes Shimano 105 (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Merida Expert SL/Maxxis Detonator 32 mm (front/rear: 1472/2045 g)
Strengthshigh saddle comfort, large tyre clearance
Weaknessesrelatively heavy, only five sizes
More bikes with mechanical gears in the TOUR test
- Cube Attain GTC Race
- Basso Astra
- Specialised Roubaix Sport
- Stevens Izoard Pro Disc
- Storck Fascenario.3 Comp Ultegra
The results at a glance
*Weighed weights.
**Manufacturer information, test size bold.
***Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube;
STR (Stack to Reach)1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright sitting position.
****Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.
Julian Schultz
Editor
