Scultura

With the promotion of the aero Reacto as Merida’s primary flagship platform, the Scultura is now pitched as the mid-range all-rounder of the range, which a more affordable carbon layup to match, and the super-light Scultura SL has been removed from the line-up for 2015.

There are two Scultura frames available: the Carbon Comp and the Lite. The Carbon Comp has a full carbon construction, down to the dropouts, and has a claimed frame weight of 1,050g. The profile and layup of the rear triangle (seatstays and chainstays) have been designed to build some additional comfort into the back-end.

The Scultura 4000 opens the Carbon Comp range at £1,350, with a Shimano 105 groupset, while the £1,600 Scultura 5000 gets upgraded Shimano Ultegra shifters and derailleurs.

The Scultura Lite is an aluminium frame, made from a triple-butted 6066 alloy, the same top-quality grade as the Reacto Aluminium and Ride Lite, with double-passed smooth welds, a tapered headtube and a full carbon fork.

The Scultura 400 comes with Shimano 105 and is yours for £999.999, while the £849.99 Scultura 300 gets Shimano Tiagra parts and the range-opening Scultura 100 is equipped with Shimano Claris components at £599.99.