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Merida S’Presso i8 £799.99
Satin Brown Glimmer is the colour, bashing around urban streets is the aim. Merida’s S’Presso i8, one of three in the S’Presso range, is an engaging machine that merits consideration by anyone looking for a sturdy all-rounder, just as long as speed is not top priority.
In essence it is a flat-bar roadster minus mudguards, the fitting of which would make it a machine with real all-year appeal. The frame and fork, both in aluminium, carry suitable threaded bosses although the position of the disc calliper mounts looks like it will get in the way a bit.
The frame will also take a luggage rack subject to the same proviso, which might make the fitment of disc brakes questionable were it not for their stunning performance. The S’Presso is equipped with what might be called a Shimano Alfine groupset, comprising eight-speed hub, front and rear hydraulic discs, brake levers with integral Rapid-Fire style shifter and Hollowtech II crankset. Chainring size is 39, which combined with the 20t rear sprocket gives a range of gears that suits the performance envelope.
The finish to the Alfine components is exceptional, as is that of the frame and fork. Chain tension, a potential problem with the frame mounting required for a disc brake, is taken care of by a tandem-style eccentric bottom bracket mount.
Tyres are horrible Teflon-treaded CST 35s and deserve to go straight in the bin along with the thick gel saddle, which does at least look the part of the urban cyclist’s seat.
Frame geometry is on the conservative size, although there is the kind of variation across the three sizes that suggests someone has done their homework. The only negative observation is that the frame seems a bit ‘tall’, with a long head tube that makes finding an efficient position impossible using the standard aluminium stem provided.
What’s it like to ride? Get the saddle in roughly the right place and it’s a blast, swallowing the worst of London EC1 road surfaces and niftily dodging anything that looks like it might trouble a cement mixer. Use the Alfine gear, which inside runs on ball bearings throughout, as a kind of drag racing ‘box, shifting sequentially through the gears, and you can even give road bike riders something to think about up to about 20mph, which is where you reach some kind of ceiling. Best of all, parked alongside the
Condor Squadra, it received significantly more admiring looks from passers-by. Not bad for posing, then, either.
