2015 women's road bike test: Merida Scultura 4000 Juliet - Merida Scultura 4000 Juliet on test

Unfortunately, the not too heavy, nicely painted carbon frame cannot fully utilise its qualities. However, it would be a good basis for an attractive piece of sports equipment. Thanks to the carbon seat post, the bike offers a high level of suspension comfort on the saddle. Both testers liked the moderately sporty position. The heavy wheels fitted with simple tyres proved to be the main handicap, as they hinder propulsion. The cheap no-name brakes, which require a lot of strength in the hands to operate, are also not much fun. The handlebars are relatively wide and wrapped in poorly damping handlebar tape. On the other hand, the testers liked the comfortable saddle.

CONCLUSION
Manuela: Great riding position. The bike feels reliable, but is no rocket. The brakes are an imposition.
Isabel: I had to make an effort to get up to speed. The brakes are very stiff.

Price 1,549 Euro
Weight 8.4 kilos
Info www.merida-bikes.com
available in specialised shops

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing** 1,179/416/65 grammes
Frame sizes*** 44, 47, 50 cm
Seat/top tube/head tube 505/530/144 mm plus 161 mm headset cap
Stack/Reach/STR**** 540/374 mm/1.44

Equipment

Drive Shimano FC-RS500 (50/34 t., BSA)
Brakes PRC Shimano 105 gears
Wheels/tyres Merida Comp 24/Continental UltraSport Race 23C

* The frame set accounts for 40 per cent and the equipment for 60 per cent of the overall grade. 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 top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.

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