Merida Silex 4000 Carbon Gravel Bike 2025

Carbon gravel bike with Shimano's highly acclaimed gravel specific GRX400 2 x 10 groupset and hydraulic disc brakes. Second generation of the Merida Silex. The original was a ground up design that rather than take a road or cyclocross bike and re-jig the recipe started with modern MTB inspired geometry; long top and head tubes and a short stem offering nimble confidence-inspiring off road handling. It is fair to say that riding wise the original concept was incredibly well received by the press and consumers alike at launch it was hailed as the most comfortable and versatile bike Merida had ever made. Over time gravel has developed and riding has evolved splitting in to racing and adventure. Silex remains all about the road less travelled the spirit of adventure and camaraderie. The Silex retains all of the key qualities that made the original so successful but becomes more off-road capable with a 1.5 degree slacker head angle and bigger volume tyres. All frames have five sets of bottle bosses the aluminium frame has rack mounting points offering multiple luggage carrying options for any adventure and has the ability to run internal routed dropper posts and even dynamo systems. A week before its launch Matej Mohoric rode to victory at the 2023 Gravel World Championships proving it is fairly handy off-road! If we are absolutely honest the looks of gen 1 were not to everyone's taste the long headtube made the front end look awkward. Gen 2 runs a revised fork design meaning you can swap to a suspension fork without affecting the geometry and visually the longer fork and shorter headtube look far more appealing. To match the new off road capability all Silex models (with the exception of the 200) are equipped with powerful hydraulic disc brakes and 180mm rotors. Calipers are mounted on the chainstay for better dissipation of braking forces using the flat-mount standard for a neat flush fit. On the carbon models calipers sit on top of CNCd aluminium Disc Cooler fins reducing operating temperatures by up to 35%; particularly important when running fully loaded. Highlights: MTB Inspired gravel geometry Lightweight carbon frame Carbon fork with tapered steerer Shimano GRX400 groupset Hydraulic disc brakes 12mm bolt through axles FRAME CF2 carbon II gravel geometry for stable but nimble handling. Tapered head tube Inboard disc mounts. Threaded BB 142 x12mm axle standard disc cooler technology Max tyre size 700 x 45c (42c with mudguards) FORK Silex CF2 II; Full carbon; tapered steerer 100 x12mm axle standard; Max tyre size: 700 x 45c (42c with mudguards) GEARS 20 SHIFTERS Shimano GRX400 FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano GRX400 REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano GRX400 Bottom Bracket Attached CHAIN KMC X10 CHAINSET Shimano GRX600; 46-30 tooth chainset; Crank length - 170mm (XS/S) 172.5mm (M) 175mm (L/XL) CASSETTE Shimano CS-HG50; 11-36 teeth; 10 speed BRAKE LEVER Shimano GRX400 FRONT BRAKE Shimano GRX400; Hydraulic disc brake caliper with Shimano RT10; 180mm rotor REAR BRAKE Shimano GRX400; Hydraulic disc brake caliper with Shimano RT10; 180mm rotor GRIP Merida Expert HANDLEBAR Merida Expert GRII; aluminium; 400mm (XS-S) 420mm (M) 440mm (L/XL) STEM Merida Team CC III; aluminium; 31.8mm diameter; -6 degree rise - Length - 80mm (all sizes) HEADSET 320.52.631 PEDAL Not included SADDLE Merida Comp SL; V-mount - made with 25% recycled material SEAT POST Merida Expert CC; 27.2mm diameter; 15mm layback; Carbon WHEEL SIZE 700c RIMS Merida Expert SLII; 23mm inner rim width; 25 mm rim depth; aluminium; Tubeless ready (tubeless tape and valves not included) SPOKES Black stainless FRONT HUB Shimano HB-TC500; 100 x 12mm; 28 spoke; Centerlock REAR HUB Shimano FH-TC500-HL; 142 x 12mm; 28 spoke; Centerlock FRONT TYRE Maxxis Rambler; 700 x 45C; Kevlar bead; TR; EXO REAR TYRE Maxxis Rambler; 700 x 45C; Kevlar bead; TR; EXO