A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to test some of the team bikes during the presentation of the WorldTour team Lampre-Merida in Mallorca. There was also the chance to take a closer look at Filippo Pozzato's classic bike. Admittedly, the offer sounded tempting. But in the end I decided against it – for good reason. The frame geometry would have suited me well, but it would not have given much information about the riding characteristics of the commercially available frame set, which the other classic riders in the team use.
Equipment
The frameset of my test bike is based on the Ride Carbon Pro-E frame and the corresponding Superlite fork. In addition to a complete Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 Di2 groupset, it also features a crankset from team supplier Rotor. In my case, it's the 3D Plus model with the matching Q-Rings from the Spanish company. The chainrings have a 52/34 tooth ratio. The cassette has a range of 11 to 28 teeth.
The handcrafted Fulcrum Racing Zero wheels feature a distinctive milled groove at the spoke holes, in addition to the standard carbon hub. This groove is designed to make the wheels both lighter and more responsive. The Racing Zero wheels are fitted with robust Continental Grand Prix 4000S tires , which, thanks to their 25mm width, offer good all-around performance.
At the front, a 42-centimeter-wide K-Force Compact OS handlebar and a 120-millimeter-long OS-99 stem with a six-degree angle are used. Both FSA products seem well-chosen for the 54-inch frame size. FSA also supplies the seatpost. With a diameter of 27,2 millimeters, the K-Force Lite SB25 offers a pleasant flex and thus integrates well with the frame design. The saddle is from Prologo; the Scratch Pro Tirox is a relatively comfortable model.
Practice
The Merida Ride CF Team is designed to excel particularly when the terrain is rough and performance suffers as a result. However, this is only half the story. Even on challenging, hilly courses, comfortable bikes can often outperform their often very stiff aerobatic counterparts in the amateur category.
The north of Mallorca offers a good test area for both aspects. With the climbs of the Serra Tramuntana in mind, my test route from Alcudia describes an arc to the south. The path leads via Sa Pobla and Campanet to Caimari, where the serpentines of Sa Bataia welcome me. From there I continue towards Sa Calobra before, on the way back to the hotel, I not only catch a glimpse of the Lluc Monastery, but also face the winds of the bays of Pollenca and Alcudia. The lap may not necessarily be the longest at around 120 kilometers, but with more than 2.000 meters in altitude it is still a tough one. But since I also want to give the bike a chance on rougher ground, I take it to the Cap de Formentor at the end of the test. The road surface from Formentor was last renewed twenty years ago and proves to be a benchmark for the bike in terms of vibration absorption.
The Ride CF Team frameset incorporates a variety of technological refinements designed to enhance riding comfort while maintaining the bike's agility and sportiness. Internally routed cables also contribute to a clean, uncluttered look.
The front end features a tapered head tube. Combined with the fork manufactured using so-called Double Chamber technology, this makes the bike responsive without feeling overly harsh. On the contrary, the fork absorbs bumps with remarkable composure. Precise steering maneuvers are possible even on corners with poor road surfaces.
The flax fibers built into the fork and the support struts also contribute to the comfort of the bike. These give good cushioning to both the front and the rear. At the rear, this is supported by the low mounting of the struts on the seat tube.
Due to its relatively long wheelbase, the Ride CF Team exhibits excellent stability. With a stay length of 413 millimeters compared to the 405 millimeters of the Reacto Evo , Lampre-Merida's aero road bike, this bike is anything but a sprinter. Nevertheless, it accelerates quite well. This is mainly due to the distinctive bottom bracket shape. The Q-Rings prove to be relatively unobtrusive during pedaling, which is certainly a plus for riders who want to switch from standard chainrings but are concerned about abrupt pedal strokes.
Neither on flat terrain nor in the mountains is the bike affected by changes in rhythm. Instead, it proves to be a faithful companion. The Ride CF Team responds smoothly to changes in position and confidently tackles descents. This is a great advantage, as even less experienced riders can enjoy longer rides on this bike without complaining of anything other than the occasional muscle soreness in the evening.
The seating position on the bike is central but sporty. This corresponds entirely to the comfort character of the bike. In order to be able to maintain an active position even under pressure, there are small knobs on the saddle that effectively prevent slipping. Because although the bike is above all comfortable, there is still a racer in it.
Conclusion
Sure, the Ride CF Team isn't a criterium specialist. And it doesn't pretend to be. It lives up to its role as a good-natured endurance bike without a doubt. Smooth-running yet responsive, it's appealing to riders who value both comfort and a sporty feel. And Merida has struck this balance quite successfully with the Ride CF Team.
product Highlights
- pleasant smoothness
- very good damping properties
- high quality equipment
price and web
- 6.199,00 euros (with a different crankset)
- www.merida-bikes.com