Sonny Colbrelli’s Merida Reacto with unreleased Vision Metron handlebars

Aero everything with updated frameset and new integrated cockpit

July 18, 2017 at 12:20 pm

Sonny Colbrelli has achieved three top 10s so far in his debut Tour de France, equalling his best showing among his six Grand Tour appearances.

The 27-year-old Italian joined Bahrain-Merida for the 2017 season, which is his first at WorldTour level.

In a distinctive vinyl wrap, Colbrelli debuted the 2018 Merida Reacto at the Criterium du Dauphine in June. Released officially a few days before the Grand Depart in Dusseldorf, the 2018 Merida Reacto sees a raft of changes from its predecessor.

Riding on Reacto CF4 geometry, Colbrelli unsurprisingly opts for the more aggressive geometry option of the model. The two geometry options are available in both disc and caliper versions, with all four models of the frame approved by the UCI.

Updated seatstays on the new Reacto improve ride comfort

Josh Evans / Immediate Media

Updated seatstays to the rear of the frame are reduced in size and feature a sharper angle to the rear dropouts, resulting in greater comfort and claimed aero improvements.

The front end of the bike sees more aero optimisation. The head cluster of the bike is designed to be paired with Vision’s Metron 5D integrated handlebar and stem cockpit, although Colbrelli runs an updated version of the Metron 5D, the 6D.

While the Metron 5D system runs a 10-degree forward curve on the bars for a more ergonomic fit, the Metron 6D runs at zero degrees, a straight system that reduces frontal surface area.

Merida has the Metron 6D exclusively until April 2018, when the handlebar system will become available to buy as a standalone product.

Bahrain-Merida’s bikes are paired with Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 groupsets, and power meter equipped cranksets provided by SRM.