Mekk 2016 road range: flagship Primo race bike redesigned
Poggio all-rounder gains disc brakes; lower-priced alloy options offered
Mekk’s original mantra of creating a range of well priced performance road bikes, in distinctive trim and with cleverly thought out components, shows no sign of changing anytime soon. For 2016 the range topping Primo race machine has had an aero makeover, with NACA profiled tube shapes, a direct-mount under chainstay rear brake, optimised cable routing and the addition of deep section Saturae carbon clinchers on key models.
In 2015 we saw the special edition Primo 6.2, which for £2000 included the £800-retail Saturae 50 carbon clinchers. For 2016 Mekk has put together a similar package, but on the more sportive/fondo orientated Poggio. The 2.8 model gets a full 105 groupset, San Marco saddle, Continental rubber and those Saturae wheels for an impressive £2000.
The Poggio range now features disc models, including this 2.0 with Shimano’s new Tiagra and TRP Spyre cable disc brakes
The Poggio now also gets a disc option among four models in the series, all based around a new Toray T800 carbon frame. The range starts with the DS 1.6 with Sora, TRP Spyre brakes, and Shimano’s RX50 wheelset for £1400. The DS 2.0 has the same wheels and brakes but gets the new Tiagra groupset for an extra £200. The 2.6 model at £2000 gains 105 and 785 hydraulics, and the range is topped by the Ultegra/785 equipped DS 3.0 at £2200.
Sitting at the base of the Poggio range, meanwhile, are two mid-year launching SE models. The SE 0.3 features a carbon frame and fork (different to the new Poggio), Saturae alloy wheels and Tiagra for the bike-to-work scheme-meeting price of £1000, or you can opt for the upgraded 105 model for an extra £100.
The Pinerolo SE 0.3 features this retro-styled livery on an all-new double butted alloy frame with Saturae wheels and Tiagra
The base-range Pinerolos get the SE treatment too, with a new double butted alloy frame priced from £500 for the Claris-equipped 0.1 up to the 0.4 bike with 105 and Shimano RS10 wheels at £900. The Pinerolo AL SE range also gets a new disc-equipped model with 105, TRP brakes and Shimano DB318 wheels for £1000.
Mekk co-founder Ken Knight is a long-time track rider and racer, so its no surprise to see a track bike included in the 2016 range. The revamped Pista C1 comes with Saturae Pista wheels and a super-aggressive carbon track frameset for £1500; Mekk also offers the C1 as a frameset for £800. A cheaper triple-butted alloy track bike is included in the range for £800.
The carbon Pista C1 manages to look fast standing still
International pricing was TBC at the time of writing. For US readers we’ll have more information very soon – Mekk has announced tie-ins with some US shops so availability in the States should be on the up.
