Merida Super Aero 38 Wheelset and Frame Size??
tamasreal
Posts: 27
Hi guys!
I am planning to order my dream bike, a Merida Reacto this week. My budget is only enough for the 5000 version with Ultegra groupset (105 brakes and FSA crankset). I think it will be totally right, and the parts of the bike are not the best, but the quality is normal. (I mean, I will not worry about my life.)
The only question I have is about the wheelset. The dealer, who offered me the bike said, that the Formula Hubs are totally alright, and the quality of the rims are good too. (Okey, I know that they are a bit havier than other wheels, but this is not a problem for me, and I will be totally satisfied if this weight is for the strength of the wheelset.) But I did not find ANY review about the wheels. Only some sales. And nobody mentions the weight, so I think this is the main reason that they want to sell the wheels.
Reacto owners, what is your experience with them? What I really care is the maintance. How often should I true them? Any problem with them? I mean, how strong are they? Is there any cons, other than the weight?
He offers the bike with warranty of course, and we buy bikes and bike parts from him every year, and never had any problems... So I trust him, and hope that if there is any problem, he will help me, but ... this is business too.
The only thing I do not want is go to a bike service so often.
Something else:
I am 171cm, and my "inseam/inside leg" is 76 cm. He said that the S/M (52cm) model is my size, and I thought the same, but would not be a 50cm frame better? (Unfortunatelly, he does not have stock any of the frame sizes.)
Sorry for my eng, I am from Hungary!
Have a nice day, and thanks for your answers.
I am planning to order my dream bike, a Merida Reacto this week. My budget is only enough for the 5000 version with Ultegra groupset (105 brakes and FSA crankset). I think it will be totally right, and the parts of the bike are not the best, but the quality is normal. (I mean, I will not worry about my life.)
The only question I have is about the wheelset. The dealer, who offered me the bike said, that the Formula Hubs are totally alright, and the quality of the rims are good too. (Okey, I know that they are a bit havier than other wheels, but this is not a problem for me, and I will be totally satisfied if this weight is for the strength of the wheelset.) But I did not find ANY review about the wheels. Only some sales. And nobody mentions the weight, so I think this is the main reason that they want to sell the wheels.
Reacto owners, what is your experience with them? What I really care is the maintance. How often should I true them? Any problem with them? I mean, how strong are they? Is there any cons, other than the weight?
He offers the bike with warranty of course, and we buy bikes and bike parts from him every year, and never had any problems... So I trust him, and hope that if there is any problem, he will help me, but ... this is business too.
The only thing I do not want is go to a bike service so often.
Something else:
I am 171cm, and my "inseam/inside leg" is 76 cm. He said that the S/M (52cm) model is my size, and I thought the same, but would not be a 50cm frame better? (Unfortunatelly, he does not have stock any of the frame sizes.)
Sorry for my eng, I am from Hungary!
Have a nice day, and thanks for your answers.
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Comments
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Hi guys!
I am planning to order my dream bike, a Merida Reacto this week. My budget is only enough for the 5000 version with Ultegra groupset (105 brakes and FSA crankset). I think it will be totally right, and the parts of the bike are not the best, but the quality is normal. (I mean, I will not worry about my life.)
The only question I have is about the wheelset. The dealer, who offered me the bike said, that the Formula Hubs are totally alright, and the quality of the rims are good too. (Okey, I know that they are a bit havier than other wheels, but this is not a problem for me, and I will be totally satisfied if this weight is for the strength of the wheelset.) But I did not find ANY review about the wheels. Only some sales. And nobody mentions the weight, so I think this is the main reason that they want to sell the wheels.
Reacto owners, what is your experience with them? What I really care is the maintance. How often should I true them? Any problem with them? I mean, how strong are they? Is there any cons, other than the weight?
He offers the bike with warranty of course, and we buy bikes and bike parts from him every year, and never had any problems... So I trust him, and hope that if there is any problem, he will help me, but ... this is business too.
The only thing I do not want is go to a bike service so often.
Something else:
I am 171cm, and my "inseam/inside leg" is 76 cm. He said that the S/M (52cm) model is my size, and I thought the same, but would not be a 50cm frame better? (Unfortunatelly, he does not have stock any of the frame sizes.)
Sorry for my eng, I am from Hungary!
Have a nice day, and thanks for your answers.
I have the 4000 which is exactly the same frame as the 5000. In my case, all I wanted was the frameset to build the bike with my own components including groupset and wheels. But as a standard bike I can impart the following: The standard wheels are good but heavy. The Tektra brakes are poor and the rear brake is a pain to work on being mounted under the BB. The seat is fine and not worth changing. The bars and stem are a fair weight. The 105 5800 groupset is perfectly good, but I'm SRAM through and through.
I stripped mine completely selling everything bar the frame and seat. It now has SRAM Force 22 with 105 direct mount brakes, an FSA 3T carbon bar and stem set up and full carbon clinchers and tubs. A much lighter and comfortable bike that I'm happy to take up hills, for less money than the 5000 with the money I recouped from selling the standard parts.
Size wise, the reach is long it being a horizontal top tube and not a sloping compact. If you know your reach, use the Merida geometry chart to get the overall top tube length. I was told by a dealer to go for the 50cm but knowing the set up from my Basso, went for the 47cm imported from France as the UK don't stock 47cm frames in the Reacto. The 47cm comes in at just over 51cm overall top tube length and the fit is spot on for me. From memory, I think the 50cm comes in at around 53.5cm overall top tube length.I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.0 -
I'm 171 and a 76 inseam and looking at the geo and estimated TT I'd buy the 50.0
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Formula hubs are as budget as hubs get... spares are hard to source and the quality is very average. The 38 mm alloy rims are most likely rebadged Kinlin, which are fine.
It seems to me 2 Grand buy you better specs from the likes of Planet X, for example... and don't be fooled by the stickers, the frames are most likely made in the same place anyway... for instance 2 grand at PX buy you a carbon frame with Campagnolo super record groupset... or 1100 buy you Ultegra 6800 and you can spend the rest on some top notch wheels...
Just sayingleft the forum March 20230 -
Thanks guys.
I have found last night, that the wheels are Alexrims RACE38 wheels, and hope that they will be good training wheels for a year, or maybe I am trying to sell them as brand new, and buy a (little used) Fulcrum Racing 5. And do the same with the crankset. (Trying to "change" them for an 'older' Ultegra, or 105 version.
I have just ordered the 52cm version this afternoon (will arive in a week, because I have some work, and cannot go to the shop) , and asked the dealer, to change the handlebar for a 40cm model.
The reason behind the frame size is that the 50cm was out of stock, and I bought the last one of the 52cm frames.
I had bought a Merida S/M Road Race Lite frame 3 years ago (which was also the last model of the size), and it was quite good in size. Hope that this will be as good as it was.
+++++ for everyone!0 -
I too made an order for a Merida but its the 7000e, according to most sites including the Merida TW factory site, the frame should come with Fulcrum Quattro 35 wheels so I'm not sure why you are getting formula hubs.
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Merida-Reacto-5000-2016-Road-Bike_81917.htm
http://www.merida.tw/bike.php?op=info&bike_id=815#spec
If I'm not mistaken, the prices of Merida is higher in Europe including UK than in Asia so given the choice, I might go get a fuji transonic cos I've seen a fuji transoinc 2.3 with full ultega groupset for around €1,7000 -
I too made an order for a Merida but its the 7000e, according to most sites including the Merida TW factory site, the frame should come with Fulcrum Quattro 35 wheels so I'm not sure why you are getting formula hubs.
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Merida-Reacto-5000-2016-Road-Bike_81917.htm
http://www.merida.tw/bike.php?op=info&bike_id=815#spec
If I'm not mistaken, the prices of Merida is higher in Europe including UK than in Asia so given the choice, I might go get a fuji transonic cos I've seen a fuji transoinc 2.3 with full ultega groupset for around €1,700
With the wheel spec, sounds like the OP is getting a 2015 model and not the 2016. Convenient for the dealer to be off loading his 52cm old stock because they can't get a 50cm. I find it hard to believe the dealer couldn't source a 50cm from the distributor or another dealer.I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.0 -
OP you've bought a bike because it was in stock, not because it was the right size. I really think you've made a big mistake. With your (my) inside leg measurement and that upward sloping 'classic' top tube I reckon you wont have much seat post showing and you're going to be far too stretched out.0
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OP you've bought a bike because it was in stock, not because it was the right size. I really think you've made a big mistake. With your (my) inside leg measurement and that upward sloping 'classic' top tube I reckon you wont have much seat post showing and you're going to be far too stretched out.
I echo this. The Merida Reacto is a heavy bike. If it doesn't fit you correctly, you will have all the negatives of extra weight going up hills and none of the aero benefits on the flat or downhill because you'll have to set it up so oddly to get anywhere near fitting you. Aesthetically, it will look pants.I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.0 -
Hi, I ride a Merida Reacto 5000 Ltd. Bought it 1 year back. So far have changed out the crankset to Ultegra from FSA as needed a compact crank option. The rest am still using stock stuff including the aero 38 wheels and it serves the purpose. The brakes are Shimano 105 when it came so it is good enough. The only comments I have is that the rear brakes are not as effective as there is a spongy feel to it. Contemplating to change these to Ultegra too and this will make the bike full Ultegra. As for the wheels, although I heard its heavier, had no issues with them and they roll well. Have done 3 Century Rides with them and climbing is not an issue either on top of my weekly rides. May change the wheels out later to full carbon later but am currently very happy with the ride quality. My height is 1.75 tipping the scale at 72kg and I ride a S/M which is what you ordered. Frankly, my bike shop guy told me that there are guys at 1.71 riding the same size too. It all boils down to you flexibility so please do a judgement yourself whether the size suits you. I recently went to a bike fitting and they adjusted my bike to suit me better. You can try that too. Its not too late if you have not done it. Even my bike fitter says that this bike is value for money at the price point I got it at.0
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Hi, I ride a Merida Reacto 5000 Ltd. Bought it 1 year back. So far have changed out the crankset to Ultegra from FSA as needed a compact crank option. The rest am still using stock stuff including the aero 38 wheels and it serves the purpose. The brakes are Shimano 105 when it came so it is good enough. The only comments I have is that the rear brakes are not as effective as there is a spongy feel to it. Contemplating to change these to Ultegra too and this will make the bike full Ultegra. As for the wheels, although I heard its heavier, had no issues with them and they roll well. Have done 3 Century Rides with them and climbing is not an issue either on top of my weekly rides. May change the wheels out later to full carbon later but am currently very happy with the ride quality. My height is 1.75 tipping the scale at 72kg and I ride a S/M which is what you ordered. Frankly, my bike shop guy told me that there are guys at 1.71 riding the same size too. It all boils down to you flexibility so please do a judgement yourself whether the size suits you. I recently went to a bike fitting and they adjusted my bike to suit me better. You can try that too. Its not too late if you have not done it. Even my bike fitter says that this bike is value for money at the price point I got it at.
The rear brake is pants full stop. If you set it up with any decent bite, the flex in the rear triangle invites wheel rub. To avoid it, I have to set up with hardly any benefit from the rear brake. I'd say it is a poor design.I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.0 -
^^ThisI'm 171 and a 76 inseam and looking at the geo and estimated TT I'd buy the 50.0
