This article was originally published on Cyclingnews.com.
The newly formed Bahrain-Merida enters the WorldTour with part of the infrastructure of the Lampre-Merida set up, with the majority forming the newly named UAE-Abu Dhabi team. The Merida namesake has stuck with the Bahrain team however, giving options for the Merida Scultura, Reacto and Warp frames combined with Shimano groupsets and Fulcrum wheels.
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The distinctive blue, red and gold colours of the team form the main design for the frame, while flashes of the same colours also appear on the saddle. SRM supplies the team’s power meters and has issued each team rider with a special gold coloured SRM PC-8 head unit. As well as the head unit, SRM supplies the eye catching cranks, developed from existing THM Clavicula cranks and newly branded as SRM. Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 supplies the chainrings, brakes and shifting.
Finishing kit on Visconti’s bike comes from FSA and Vision components; with Italian brand Prologo supplying contact point comfort with a Nago C3 saddle and OneTouch handlebar tape. Visconti’s saddle is set forward with the clamp positioned beyond Prologo’s recommended safety limits.
Visconti rolls on Fulcrum Speed 40 tubular wheels paired with Continental Competition 25mm tubular tyres. The Fulcrum wheels are equipped with CULT bearings. Developed by Campagnolo, CULT's bearings tests claim when spun to 500rpm the wheels will continue to spin for nine times longer than wheels with standard bearings.
Merida Scultura full specifications
- Frame: Merida Scultura, size 50
- Fork: Merida Road Carbon Race
- Stem: FSA OS
- Handlebar: Vision Trimax 4D handlebars, 410mm
- Tape: Prologo OneTouch
- Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace
- Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace
- Brake / shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
- Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
- Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace, 11-28T
- Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace 11-speed
- Crankset: SRM, 172.5mm
- Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
- Wheelset: Fulcrum Speed 40 tubular
- Tyres: Continental Competition tubular, 25mm
- Saddle: Prologo Nago C3
- Seatpost: FSA SL-K
- Bottle cages: Elite Pase
Critical measurements
- Rider's height: 1.75m
- Rider's weight: 63kg
- Saddle height from bottom bracket: 710mm
- Centre of saddle to centre of bar: 680mm
Click or swipe through the gallery above to see more of the Italian’s bike.