The Merida Scultura Endurance Rival-Edition has allroad capabilities and is a versatile road bike with a relaxed position for longer adventures. But it does this while having the kind of angles and geometry it needs to keep the ride exciting. Comfort is also high on the agenda and a final positive is that the Scultura Endurance is reasonably well specced for the money.
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Merida Scultura Endurance Rival-Edition: Ride
Aesthetically the Scultura Endurance Rival-Edition – which I'll call the Endurance from here on in – may look a little ungainly compared to many road bikes, thanks to its tall front end and heavily sloping top tube. But if you're looking for an upright position that is incredibly comfortable then the Merida could well be for you.
First off, the shallow drops are very usable, and if you are riding long distances, or just don't have the flexibility to ride a traditional road bike, then the Endurance would work well for you.
The rear end's comfort matches the front end's, not so much by the geometry but by the design of the very slender seatstays, which create a kind of leaf spring suspension that delivers a smooth ride.
Feedback and ride feel is muted a little by the tyres (more on that later) but the Endurance is a rider's bike. By that I mean the frameset transmits what the tyres are up to and its responsive to your inputs.
But the ridingposition doesn't mean the Endurance is dull when you hit the road. The angles are steep enough that you'll still be in quite an aggressive position in the saddle to put your power through the pedals, while the head angle keeps the steering quick enough for you to have some fun in the corners.
The front end tracks well, so you can easily deal with fast descents and there's sufficient stiffness through the lower half of the frame for it to be responsive out of the corners and when you're climbing.
It's not quite as nimble or quick to react as a full-on race bike, or even a sportier endurance model, but the Endurance is still far from being a slouch.
At a smidge under 9kg it is a little slow off of the line, but as a long-distance cruiser, high-end commuter or winter training machine it feels relatively efficient.
Overall, I really liked riding the Endurance. My testing took in a mix of country lanes and urban areas, and its tall ridingposition came into its own in the city, allowing me to see over the tops of cars while still seated and in the drops.
Merida Scultura Endurance Rival-Edition: Frame & Fork
Merida makes frames made from aluminium alloy and carbon fibre composite, the latter being offered in different grades depending on the price you pay.
Its high-end pro-level bikes use what Merida calls CF5, which is stiffer and lighter than the CF3 carbon from which the Endurance is constructed. But while CF3 is a little heavier, it also has greater durability and comes in at a lower price.
And frankly, this is the balance of the properties that most of us need.
The Endurance's frame is a very clean-looking affair, as Merida has followed the trend of running both brake hoses from the levers to the inside of the head tube through the stem.
With the wireless SRAM Rival groupset used here there are no cables to worry about.Models in the range with mechanical shifting, such as the Endurance 4000, still run both hoses and cables into the head tube using a different stem, though they aren't completely hidden.
With no hose clutter the Rival Edition looks like an expensive bike, something that is boosted by the paintjob. Its metallic green detailing against the backdrop of the subdued grey looks smart, especially in the sun.
An integrated headset and seat clamp maintain the Endurance's smooth lines.
Key things to note are the impressive 35mm tyre clearance and that both the frame and fork let you fit mudguards, though their mounting positions mean that off-the-shelf fenders may require a bit of fettling to get them to fit.
Merida does offer its own 700c x 35mm Fender Stripe guards, which look like they could be tweaked to fit. The lack of a seatstay bridge isn't an issue, as Merida offers one that bolts onto the frame to pick up the guard's mounting point, shown in the pic below.
Even with mudguards fitted tyre clearance is still a pretty decent 32mm, making this Scultura very much a year-round bike.
This model also gets Merida's Disc Coolers, ribbed sections of alloy that sit between the frame and fork and the brake calliper, which are designed to draw the heat generated from heavy braking away from the components.
Excess heat can cause brake fade and warping of the rotors, though as we don't have the long mountainous Alpine descents in the UK it wasn't an easy thing for me to test their effectiveness.
The bottom bracket is a press-fit BB86 design.
Merida describes the Endurance as a sporty training machine, a fast, reliable commuter, a versatile adventure bike and a comfort-orientated road endurance bike. All of which require, or at least benefit from, a geometry that is much less aggressive than that of a race bike.
And that's something you definitely get with the Endurance!
The main differences compared to the standard Scultura are the much taller head tube and the shorter top tube.
The Endurance's 177mm head tube compares with 140mm for the standard model, and its 553mm top tube is a little shorter than the standard frame's 560mm.
The stack and reach figures are 584mm and 380mm for the Endurance, 557mm and 395mm for the standard Scultura.
To accommodate those larger tyres and mudguards, and to provide the Endurance's easy-to-live-with handling, it gets a 1,001mm wheelbase with 418mm chainstays, while the Scultura has a 990mm wheelbase and 408mm chainstays.
The angles are very similar, though, with both getting a 73.5-degreeseat angle, though the Endurance's 73-degreehead angle is 0.5 degreesslacker than the Scultura.
This geometry is what helps to give make the Endurance a bike that's fun to ride through the corners and at speed in general.
The Endurance is available in six sizes ranging from XXS to XL with top tubes spanning 515mm to 583mm, and there's a full geometry chart found on Merida's website if you want to see which size would fit you.
Merida Scultura Endurance Rival-Edition: Groupset
This bike's name is a bit of a give away, but this model is built around SRAM's Rival AXS groupset. This sits third in line below the range-toppingRed, andSRAMForce, which is arguably equivalent to Shimano's105 Di2.
It's a 12-speed groupset that is entirely wireless, with the shifters using coin-style batteries, and the front and rear mechs using their own batteries to power their motors. Overall, battery life is very good, but should one run out you can swap it with the other mech – something you can't do with Campagnolo.
You can also remove them from the bike for charging, unlike Shimano's latest Di2 that requires you to plug the cable into the rear derailleur. This isn't ideal if you have no electrical output where you store your bike.
As standard (you can change things in the app) the single button/paddle on the right-hand shifter drops the chain down the cassette while the left-hand one brings it back up. Press both together and it moves the front mech to the opposite position.
It's an intuitive way of doing things and works well. Shifting is quick and precise, while the braking is more than powerful enough thanks to the 160mm Paceline rotors and hydraulic callipers.
The gearing pairs a 48/35-toothchainset with a 10-36T cassette, which gives a large spread of ratios with reasonably even gaps between each sprocket.
I never found myself over- or under-geared whether using the Endurance for a quick lunchtime blast or a steadier, longer, hillier route on a Sunday morning.
Merida Scultura Endurance Rival-Edition: Finishing kit
Away from the groupset you'll find a smattering of Merida components such as the easy-to-get-on-with Expert SLII shallow-drop handlebar.
Merida also supplies its own-brandcarbon fibre S-FLEX seatpost that makes it easy to adjust the Expert saddle's angle and fore and aft position.
The saddle also houses a multi-tool underneath it. Neat!
The FSA SMR ACR stem has a channel at the bottom through which the brake hoses run straight into the head tube.
It's all decent enough kit that is comfortable and works well. And while they're components I'd be looking to upgrade and personalise in the future to exploit the quality of the frameset, I'd be in no hurry to do so.
Merida Scultura Endurance Rival-Edition: Wheels & tyres
The Fulcrum Racing 600 DBs are decent quality wheels that are ideal for training, or anywhere where you want to focus more on durability than performance.
Their 20mm inner rim width means they work well with the 32mm tyres fitted and for Endurance 35mm maximum width.
The 20mm-deep rims offer no aero advantage, but they are dependable and reliable. I tried the Endurance with some 45mm-deep carbon wheels, and these both improved the quality of the ride and shed a little weight, so these would be one of my first upgrades.
The Maxxis Re-Fuse tyres are a step up from the Maxxis Detonators on the Endurance 4000I reviewed last year. They had a dead feel to them, offering no feedback from the road at all.
The Re-Fuses have a slightly better feel and are a bit more responsive and supple, though they are still considered a fitness/training tyre, so they don't really give a performance feel. But they are intended for multi-surface use, so you can also take in a bit of lightweight, hardpacked gravel as well as paved surfaces.
At 430g each they're about 130g heavier than a road-specific tyreof a similar size, and if you're onlygoing to ride on the road I'd recommend upgrading to something lighter and with lower rolling resistance. Ourbest road bike tyres shows our top choices.
The wheels and tyres are both tubeless ready, with just tape, valves and sealant required for you to make the transition from tubes.
Merida Scultura Endurance Rival-Edition: Pricing & value
There are eight models in the Merida Endurance range, with the 300 and 400 made from aluminium and the rest constructed from CF3-grade carbon fibre.
The £2,250 Endurance 4000 comes with 12-speed mechanical 105, with the 6000 using the groupset's Di2 version. The price also jumps to £3,300.
Our test model is next at £3,600, with the 8000 having Ultegra Di2, Merida's own carbon rims and a £4,600 price tag. The top-end 9000 model comes withSRAM Force AXS andReynolds ATR carbon rims. It costs £5,600.
Looking at thecompetition, anobvious choice would be Giant's Defy bikes. Mat recently reviewed the Advanced SL0, which sits very high in the range and has a whopping £11,499 price tag – but theAdvanced0with a build similar to our test bike is a much more palatable £3,299.
I recently reviewed the £7,000 Krypton Pro, Argon 18's latest allroad bike with a 38mm tyre clearance. It had a lovely ride quality and was light, nimble and a lot of fun. The Krypton range also features lower spec, more modestly priced models, with the Rival AXSbike with Vision Team 30 wheels costing £4,000.
Canyon's Endurace, as its name suggests, comes with endurance geometry and a similarly tall front end. I reviewed the range-topping £8,999CFR Di2 that comes with a Shimano Dura-Ace groupset and deep-section DT Swiss wheels. Its CF 7AXS model with a set of alloy DT Swiss Endurance LN wheels costs just £2,999.
You can check out these and others in our best endurance bikesbuyer's guide
Conclusion
I'm a big fan of the Merida Endurance. The ride quality, which offersa balance of stiffness and comfort, is good throughout. A tyre upgrade would provide a big boost to performance, and if you have the funds, a set of lighter wheels wouldn't go amiss further down the line.
For the money, the finishing kit is where it should be, although if you shop around you can get similarly specced bikes for less.
Verdict
Lovely ride quality and ideal geometry if you want a more upright ride without sacrificing performance
road.cc test report
Make and model: Merida Scultura Endurance Rival-Edition
Size tested: Medium, 553mm
About the bike
List the components used to build up the bike.
WHEELSET: Fulcrum Racing 600 DB
TYRES: Maxxis RE-FUSE
HUBS: MERIDA EXPERT SL
CRANK: SRAM Rival eTap AXS, 48-35 teeth
165mm-XXS, 170mm-XS/S, 172.5mm-M/L, 175mm-XL
BOTTOM BRACKET: SRAM Pressfit DUB
CASSETTE: Sram XG-1250, 10-36 teeth, 12 speed
CHAIN: SRAM Rival
SHIFTERS: SRAM Rival eTAP AXS HRD
FRONT DERAILLEUR: SRAM Rival eTap AXS
REAR DERAILLEUR: SRAM Rival eTap AXS
BRAKE LEVER: SRAM ED Rival eTap AXS
BRAKES: SRAM Rival eTap AXS
ROTORS: SRAM Paceline 160mm
HEADSET: FSA ACR
STEM: FSA SMR ACR
STEM SIZE: 90mm-XXS/XS, 100mm-S/M, 110mm-L, 120mm-XL
HANDLEBAR: MERIDA EXPERT SLII
GRIP: MERIDA ROAD Expert
SEAT POST: MERIDA TEAM SL
SEAT CLAMP: MERIDA EXPERT
SADDLE: MERIDA EXPERT SL
Tell us what the bike is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?
Merida says: "The SCULTURA ENDURANCE is the perfect choice for more leisure-focused cyclists who want to enjoy long hours in the saddle while being comfortable and relaxed on the bike. Wide tyres offer plenty of comfort, even on the most pothole-littered country lanes, while a longer head tube provides a more relaxed riding position."
The geometry and frame design provide a comfortable ride, but stiffness and performance haven't been sacrificed.
Where does this model sit in the range? Tell us briefly about the cheaper options and the more expensive options
There are eight models in the Endurance line-up with this one sitting around the midway point. Full details of options and pricing are in the main review.
Frame and fork
Overall rating for frame and fork
8/10
Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?
A well-built frame finished to a high standard.
Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?
The frame and fork are both constructed from carbon fibre. The frame is Merida's CF3 grade, which sits below its top-level CF5 models.
Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?
Very endurance based with a tall front end and a shorter top tube than Merida's Scultura race bike – but the Endurance's relatively steep seat and head angles still give it a racy feel.
How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?
The Endurance has a tall stack height because ofthat tall head tube, and the reach a touch shorter than most too.
Riding the bike
Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.
This is a very comfortable bike both in terms of the geometry and the compliance built into the frameset.
Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?
The frame and fork feel stiff in all the places where they need to be.
How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?
It's a little weighty, which will reduce its efficiency a little, but the large spread of gears offered by the Rival groupset helps to offset that.
Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so was it a problem?
No.
How would you describe the steering? Was it lively neutral or unresponsive? Neutral.
Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?
The steering is well balanced – quick enough to be fun, but without being so fast that it's tricky to live with.
Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?
I got on well with the shape of the saddle, and you can create some extra comfort by running the 32mm tyres at a lower pressure, especially if you swap over to running them tubeless.
Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's stiffness? would you recommend any changes?
The wheels felt pretty tight, and the cockpit showed no signs of any major flex.
Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's efficiency? would you recommend any changes?
The ratios of the SRAM groupset worked very well for me. SRAM runs with a smaller chainring than Shimano, which allowed me to stay in the big ring for all but the steepest climbs.
Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:
8/10
Rate the bike for acceleration:
7/10
Rate the bike for sprinting:
7/10
Rate the bike for high speed stability:
8/10
Rate the bike for cruising speed stability:
8/10
Rate the bike for low speed stability:
8/10
Rate the bike for flat cornering:
8/10
Rate the bike for cornering on descents:
8/10
Rate the bike for climbing:
7/10
The drivetrain
Rate the drivetrain for performance:
9/10
Rate the drivetrain for durability:
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for weight:
8/10
Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well together?
Impressive performance from this wireless groupset, both in terms of shifting and braking.
Wheels and tyres
Rate the wheels for performance:
7/10
Rate the wheels for durability:
8/10
Rate the wheels for weight:
7/10
Rate the wheels for comfort:
7/10
Tell us some more about the wheels.Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the wheels? If so what for?
Reliable wheels, though they're neither the lightest nor the quickest.
Rate the tyres for performance:
6/10
Rate the tyres for durability:
8/10
Rate the tyres for weight:
6/10
Rate the tyres for comfort:
7/10
Tell us some more about the tyres. Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the tyres? If so what for?
Decent tyres if you're riding on poor roads and even away from them sometimes, but their rolling resistance is high and they aren't the most supple.
Controls
Rate the controls for performance:
8/10
Rate the controls for durability:
8/10
Rate the controls for weight:
7/10
Rate the controls for comfort:
7/10
Tell us some more about the controls. Any particularly good or bad components? How would the controls work for larger or smaller riders?
Good kit that does its job. The handlebar has a very shallow drop, which makes it accessible to pretty much every rider regardless of how flexible you are.
Your summary
Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes
Would you consider buying the bike? Possibly, although there are some similarly specced bikes for less money.
Would you recommendthe bike to a friend?
Possibly – as above.
How does the price compare to that of similar bikes in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
Similarly specced bikes from Giant and Canyon are a few hundred pounds cheaper, but the Krypton from smaller brand Argon 18 is more expensive than our Merida Scultura.
Rate the bike overall for performance:
7/10
Rate the bike overall for value:
5/10
Use this box to explain your overall score
The Scultura Endurance is a great frameset in terms of ride quality and performance but it loses out slightly in value against the likes of Giant and Canyon. This model doesn't quite offer the same value for money as others in the Scultura Endurance range, which is what brings down the score a touch.
Overall rating: 7/10
About the tester
Age: 44
I usually ride: This month's test bikeMy best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 20 yearsI ride: Every dayI would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,