The Merida Reacto has always been a class leading aero bike, combining state of the art aerodynamics with rider comfort.

The 4th generation model is more slippery and beautiful than ever, incorporating wider tyres, much neater cockpit cable integration and a series of incremental improvements to boost performance.

In the world of Pro-Tour racing no area can be ignored. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculations were used to model performance in a virtual wind tunnel, guiding the changes which offered the most aerodynamic benefit:

Prototypes were wind tunnel tested following the German TOUR magazine standard, including the ‘moving leg dummy’ test. The Reacto CF5 needs just 209 watts effort for 45 km/h speed, 1 watt faster than its predecessor so it's in the leading group of aero road bikes ever tested by TOUR magazine.

Small details such as integrating the front disc cooler behind the fork and the rear disc caliper in the rear triangle and creating new bolt through axles with the thread integrated into the fork dropout minimise drag and improve aerodynamic performance.

A myriad of small improvements over-compensate for the aerodynamic compromises made to give the Reacto bigger tyres, resulting in the perfect package of comfort, aerodynamic, lightweight and style.

A long string of test wins, perfect scores and awards confirm the successful evolution of the race-proven DNA of the previous model with the latest trends and technologies. Cycling Weekly described it as 'without doubt one of the most complete bikes available on the market', Cyclingnews 'an utterly brilliant and faultless machine' and Cycling Plus were 'hugely impressed'.

All Reacto come with powerful hydraulic disc brakes. Calipers are mounted on the chainstay for better dissipation of braking forces using the flat mount standard for a neat, flush fit. Calipers sit on top of CNC'd aluminium Disc Cooler fins which reduce operating temperatures by up to 35%.

X-TAPER HEADTUBE
Our X-Tapered headtube offers the space for a tapered fork to be fitted. Tapered forks offer superb stiffness and precise and deliver confidence-inspiring steering.

INTERNAL CABLE ROUTING
Cables are routed through the frame, entering and exiting through smooth sockets. The bike looks neat, whilst the cables are protected from moisture and dirt.

NANO MATRIX CARBON
To protect the integrity of carbon frames, the fibres are bonded together with an epoxy resin with added nano particles, increasing impact resistance by up to 40%.

AWS
When creating the individual carbon elements, an inflatable bladder is used to ensure there are no wrinkles inside the tube as these can add weight and create weakness. This results in a lighter, stiffer and stronger frame.

NACA FASTBACK PROFILE
The aerodynamics are based around a NACA0028 teardrop profile (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) which is truncated. Air moves around the tube as though the missing rear section of the teardrop were still there, saving weight by using less material.

DISC COOLER
A forged aluminium component under the front and/or rear caliper allowing heat to dissipate through CNC-milled cooling fins. Tests show that temperatures are reduced by around 35 % and cooling times are shortened, optimising the performance of the brake.

INTERNAL CLAMP
Designing WorldTour bikes is similar to Formula 1: apparently nondescript details can result in saving split seconds. Integrated seat-post clamping minimises turbulence at the top tube.

WIRE PORT
All control cables like gear, brake and dropper post cable enter the frame through a specifically shaped headset cap, cleaning up the cockpit area while also keeping them out of harm's way. Only the internally routed cable for the rear shock lockout enters the frame directly into the top tube for extra smooth lockout action.

Features:

• Aero optimised carbon frameset
• Full Shimano 105 Di2 12spd groupset
• Shimano Hydraulic brakes
• Continental Grand Sport Race 25c tyres
  
• Merida carbon seatpost with integrated rear light