Merida Silex Review
New Silex
The Silex features the same relaxed riding position as the original Silex, paired with improved off-road handling and more contemporary looks. This bike focuses on off-road adventure riding and all-around versatility rather than pure gravel racing. The Silex is a practical gravel bike, not only will it cope with epic gravel adventures but will also be perfect as an everyday commuter. Whether you are fitting pannier racks to carry your essentials or mudguards to stay clean on your commute, the Silex delivers both a practical and comfortable ride.
Slacker Head Angle
The Silex has a slack head angle at 69.5°, enhancing stability on rough terrains and under heavy loads. While the handlebar position remains similar in height, a shorter headtube is coupled with a longer fork, compatible with the latest gravel suspension forks. This strategic redesign maintains the Silex's beloved riding position while adopting a more aggressive aesthetic, aligning seamlessly with the dynamic look of the Reacto and Scultura road ranges.
Additional Tyre Clearance
A longer fork on the Silex, allows for a significant increase in tyre clearance. It is now possible to fit a 45 mm tyre on a 700c rim at both the front and rear of the bike, giving a massively increased tyre volume that benefits both comfort and grip. The significantly larger overall rolling diameter provides a smoother, more stable ride without the need to resort to heavy, complicated suspension systems.
Low Chain Stays
At the rear end of the bike, Merida have moved to a dropped chainstay design that gives the tyre clearance needed but retains the ability to run a 1x or 2x drivetrain, allowing riders to choose the drivetrain setup that suits them best. Going 1x reduces weight and gives simplified controls; a 2x setup delivers short gaps between gears for even cadence. What works best is up to you.
Powerful Braking
All Silex models now run 180mm rotors front and rear. This ensures reliable and strong braking performance, crucial for demanding terrains like bikepacking routes. The slight weight increase compared to the typical 160 mm rotor is negligible, yet the substantial boost in braking power is invaluable, particularly during laden descents. Carbon fiber-framed CF models incorporate the Disc Cooler brake mount heat sink technology, effectively cooling brakes swiftly, enhancing both performance and reliability for a superior riding experience.
Internal Cable Routing
As well as the shorter headtube improving the looks of the bike, the Silex also has a number of other small but key changes. Like the Wire Port cable management system controls cables entering via the headset before being fully internally routed onwards for a less cluttered cockpit and sleeker look. This also has the benefit of much-improved integration when running a bar bag or bikepacking roll.
Dropper Post Compatible
The Silex is compatible with internally routed dropper seatposts. This will allow riders to fit their chosen dropper seat post, to ensure the saddle isn't in their way on steeper descents and for additional control on more technical terrain. The fork also has internal routing provision for a dynamo hub to power lights or small electronic devices on long bike-packing trips.
