The bike manufacturer from the Far East presented the new platform at last year's Eurobike. As a "companion for the fast-paced world of gravel racing", according to the official announcement. The model name already indicated that the new product shares more features with the Taiwanese marathon model of almost the same name than with a modern gravel bike.
Almost logically, the new model adopts the frame geometry of the long-distance Scultura Endurance and puts the rider in an upright riding position. Interesting: On the Silex, a genuine gravel bike in Merida's range, the rider sits slightly more upright. In terms of handling, the GR is good-natured and rolls smoothly over tarmac and gravel.
Tyre clearance ex works utilised
While many all-road bikes skimp on the choice of tyres ex works and only leave the option for wider tyres, the Merida already makes full use of this. The effective 38 millimetre wide Terra Speed tyres from Continental allow a fast pace, but do not come close to the comfort level of gravel tyres. In contrast to off-road specialists, the area of application is therefore somewhat smaller, but the high-quality tyres are definitely suitable for the gravel motorway.
The suspension comfort of the frameset is good, especially the carbon seatpost with 15 millimetre offset noticeably dampens vibrations. However, the GR reaches its limits on rough terrain, as the aluminium handlebar/stem combination in particular is quite unyielding and does little to absorb impacts from the road surface. Like the robust carbon frame and heavy carbon wheelset, the simple cockpit contributes to the rather high total weight of almost nine kilos. Both racing gravel bikes and versatile all-road bikes are sometimes significantly lighter and can weigh less than eight kilograms.
In terms of drivetrain, the Scultura is clearly orientated towards road bikes, as it can be shifted with an electronic SRAM Force and 2x12 transmission. This means that more gears are available than on typical gravel bikes with just one chainring, and the jumps are also smaller. Special cooling fins on the brake callipers are designed to protect against overheating under full load.
Space for mudguards
In contrast to classic off-road bikes, the GR frame set can "only" be retrofitted with mudguards. Merida has dispensed with mounting points for panniers. Nevertheless, a mini-tool is always on board: the puncture repair kit is stored in a rubber holder under the saddle. Our test rides on soggy ground showed that there are better places to store it.
Gravel or all-road bike? For TOUR, the answer is clear: The frame geometry, relatively narrow tyres and the small amount of additional benefits locate the Scultura Endurance GR 8000 as a versatile all-rounder that works on asphalt paths as well as light forest and gravel trails and is therefore considered an all-road bike by definition.
In addition to the € 5499 top model, which is only available in grey in Germany, Merida also offers two other equipment variants. The GR 5000 is also based on a carbon frame and shifts mechanically with Shimano's new GRX, while the GR 500 for 1699 euros comes with an aluminium frame and 2x10 transmission of the gravel groupset.
Merida Scultura Endurance GR 8000 at a glance
- Price: 5499 Euro >>
- Weight of complete wheel: 8.9 kilos
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- TOUR overall grade: 2,1
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 512/555/177 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 594/376 millimetres/1.58
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 660/565 millimetres/1.17
- Wheelbase/caster: 1005/57 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/Circuit (1.0): SRAM Force AXS (2x12; 46/33, 10-36 t.)
- Brakes (1.5): SRAM Force (160/160 mm)
- Tyres (1.0): Continental Terra Speed 35 mm (eff.: 38 mm)
- Impellers: Merida Team GR 30
- Impeller weights: 1373/1966 grams (front/rear)
Measured values
- Driving stability (1.0): 9.56 N/mm
- Rear comfort (2.0): 121 N/mm
- Comfort front (2.7): 92 N/mm
- Cadence/bottom bracket stiffness (1.0): 61 N/mm
Julian Schultz
Editor
