Merida Reacto 7000 Road Bike in Halo Green/White Green

Every regular group has an unspoken pecking order, and most riders would quietly love to be the one off the front on the climb rather than the one hanging on. The Merida Reacto 7000 is built for that ambition.

It's a proper race bike, aimed at riders who want to win races, or simply be the quickest of their mates come Sunday.

Aero speed you can measure

The latest Generation V Reacto frame is sharper on aerodynamics and lighter than before. Merida's own testing puts the Reacto under the 200-watt drag barrier to Tour Magazine's standard, so the speed shows up in how the bike holds pace when you're pushing.

Tyre clearance now runs up to 32mm, which on rough British roads means more grip, fewer punctures and a calmer ride.

Train with purpose, not guesswork

The clever bit at this price is the integrated power meter. It means you can pace efforts, structure your training and see yourself getting stronger, rather than hoping fitness turns up on its own. Pair that with SRAM's Rival 12-speed AXS wireless shifting, crisp and reliable even when your hands are cold, and you've a bike you can genuinely improve on.

Comfort that keeps you fast for longer

Speed you can't sustain is no use. The Vision SC60 carbon wheels hold pace once you're rolling, and the well-proven Merida S-Flex seat post takes the edge off rough tarmac, limiting fatigue on a long sportive or a hard chain gang. The lighter, stiffer frame does the same job, letting you hold form deep into a ride.

The details

• CF3 carbon aero frame, approx. 1,185g (size M)
• SRAM Rival 12-speed AXS wireless groupset
• Integrated power meter
• Merida Team SL 1P carbon cockpit
• Vision SC60 i23 carbon wheels, Continental GP 5000S TR 28mm tyres
• Merida S-Flex carbon aero post
• Disc Cooler technology

Who it suits

This Merida road bike is for riders with a competitive streak: racing, chain gangs, or chasing a faster time on a route you know well. If most of your miles are relaxed and social, a comfort-focused endurance bike would suit you better. But if you want the kit to train smarter and turn up quicker than last season, the Reacto 7000 in green is a strong pick in the UK line-up.