Merida presented its gravel racing bike: the Mission. While considering some modern development standards, fundamental for today's gravel racing – for example aerodynamics and abundant tire clearance – the new Mission It doesn't distort the typical design of Merida bikes in any way.
Light sloping, not excessively marked. Steering tube with oversized design in the upper section and a round seatpost with a diameter of 27,2 mm, always comfortable and functional. Let's take a closer look at the new bike.
Halfway between the Silex and the Scultura Endurance
At first sight a sort of juxtaposition is clear, as is the DNA MeridaThe Mission is positioned halfway between the Endurance Sculpture , Silex gravel (with the Silex, Mohoric won the gravel world championship in Pieve di Soligo in 2023). Going into the technical specifications of the new Mission, this adopts a full carbon CF4 II frame, with guaranteed pneumatic passages up to 40 millimetres wide. The system has been inserted and perfectly integrated GUT (acronym for Gear Useful Things), a storage compartment positioned in the oblique profile, which coincides with the two upper horizontal slots, specific for a small bag.
The steering area has been designed to best fit with the Merida SL GR1P integrated handlebar, the same one that is also found on the performance road bike range. The version of the cockpit GR however, it adopts a more accentuated flare.
Aggressive geometries
It is not just a question of geometric dimensions, because the numbers must match with a research functional aerodynamicsThe stack is reduced compared to the Silex and also compared to the Scultura Endurance: this means having a bike that leads to an aggressive and low-forward position. The reach, or horizontal line, is quite balanced, size by size, still configuring a compact bike.
Translating, the aim was to have, precisely through geometries, a agile and easy to handle bike. Here we also add a lowered bottom bracket shell, but with a straight chain stay (without elbow). the rear carriage is short, with its 419 millimetres, a rather modest value if contextualised in the gravel world.
Three setups and attractive prices
There are three Merida Mission setups in the catalogue: 9000, 7000 and 4000, respectively at 5.790, 4.990 and 2.290 euros in list price. The Mission 9000 is a gravel race bike also in terms of components, with Zipp 303s XPLR wheels and the Sram Force XPLR 1×13 transmission with Quarq power meter. The 7000 version brings the package Shimano GRX Di2 2×12 (for double chainring lovers) and Reynolds ATR wheels. Finally, the Mission 4000, with the GRX 2×10 mechanical and always Shimano for the wheels with aluminum rims. There are four sizes available in total: xs and small, medium and large.
