Merida Scultura 200 disc road bike review: my faithful companion for the harsh commute rides

[@JamesCrenshaw-e2i]

Thanks for the great review. The Scultura 200 is my first road bike. I was considering replacing it, but you have given me some great ideas to squeeze out a bit more performance for one more season of riding.

[@goonzjav]

Tip: Put the light under the bars, gives you a bit more hand space on the bars

[@fede1275]

Thanks, might try that!

[@jamiepjc]

Top notch vid as usual, Fedo!

[@fede1275]

Thank you 😄😄

[@govermentsoundsystemrootik8887]

As always Fred excellent content like you always do & as requested for those of us who owns a Merida road bike i have a Reacto 4000 disk fitted with 105 full hydraulic groupset with PD-R8000 spd's peddles, im 6ft1 so my size frame is 56cm & is a full carbon frame set which is matt & gloss black with silver decals & the only thing that i have upgraded on my bike are a set of 50mm deep carbon rims from Owens Wheels out of Nunhead, South East London by way of Rat Race Cycles & the overall weight of my bike is 7.285k which for me is as good as its gets for my cycling needs.... 👍🏾

[@fede1275]

Looks like a great set up you have there!

[@BIKEBROSTV]

very detailed just got my scultura 200 green frame planning to build it with tiagra hydraulic and carbon cockpit

[@fede1275]

👍👍

[@randommovies2382]

i just bought merida scultura 400 with full 105 set and hydrauilc brakes.... cant wait for first ride when weather here settles down

[@vinstinalexander4665]

Hi, how has your experience been for scultura 400? Is it fast and responsive and is 25c tyre comfortable?

[@paulmorrison30]

Very thorough and informative review for a lovely looking bike👊🏾

[@fede1275]

Thank you Paul, she deserved it!!

[@mohamaddarwish1946]

Hey Federico, thanks for another great video mate! I have a nice collection of bikes including a one of a kind Carrera Estrimo racing machine hand crafted in Italy and put together with all the high end bells and whistles that I would love to show you some day, out of all my bikes the Merida is the one that gets me excited and pumped to get out and hit the peddles hard or just cruise around. I think Merida has really demonstrated that you can build quality bikes across all the levels without a ridiculous price tag! You’re absolutely spot on about the saddle, I also changed mine to the selle Italia. Keep up the great work champ peace From Down Under!✌️

[@fede1275]

Thank you very much Mohamad! The Carrera was a high end Italian manufacturer if I'm not wrong, should be a true gem! Definitely I like Merida, great value similar to Canyon or Giant.

[@biosfear01]

Hi Federico, I found your channel when i was looking for Rapha kit reviews, You have a nice channel! I have a Merida Speeder 200 just for getting around and its great. I'm curious if you would buy this bike again given the upgrades you did, wheels, saddle, crank, stem or if you think its more worthwhile to spend a little more on a better specc'd bike. Having said that, I know that some upgrades are not always obvious etc the crank/bottom bracket failure or you may have some parts laying around at home, eg stem or saddle from a previous bike. - Arthur

[@fede1275]

Very good question Arthur! For the set up I have now (Merida Scultura for commuting in the bad weather and Canyon Ultimate for performance), I believe the 200 is perfect. Yes, maybe the chainset was not the best and brakes are basic, but then if you want better components you would need to spend much more and then you would be in a much better bike territory altogether, missing the value for the destination use of the bike. At any level you might want to use your own saddle and maybe wheels, so yes, the Scultura 200 disc is perfect for the use I have found for her and for me it fits the purpose perfectly.

[@andymiles0001]

Great Video, just purchased a Scultura 200 disc Frame, trying to decide on Sora or Tiagra as a groupset for it. very good bike though

[@fede1275]

Thank you, yes it's a great bike, especially considering the cost vs performance. I have it with Sora and it's enough for my use.

[@crimson177]

10:29 "came loose under my immense power" - I know what you mean, I hate when that happens

[@fede1275]

I should have also mentioned when the Gatorskin slips under acceleration 😂😂

[@pietersrudi8283]

Good review thanks

[@Jayson5001]

Hi, I just bought a green Scultura 200 for $520sgd. Did some upgrades like 105 crankset, Bontrager Aeolus Elite Saddle, and Enve SES 31mm tyres. Planning to upgrading the wheelset too, but not sure which to get Fulcrum Racing 5 or Dt Swiss P1800, both around $200sgd almost new condition. And did you need a adapter for your rear wheel?

[@fede1275]

The wheelsets seem very similar, not a huge difference between the two. I had to get a bike shop to adjust them as the rear wheel has got a quick release and the front a thru axle.

[@JSC131]

Hi Fredrico whats the size of the Merida and your height please great as usual.

[@fede1275]

Hi, the Scultura was size L, my height is 185cm, between 6' and 6'.1. My inseam is 89cm. I followed Merida chart for the sizing and it was correct.

[@JSC131]

@@fede1275 Thankyou Fredrico much appreciated for your response.

[@tevesjuliusrey]

i have the same bike as your but i change the wheelset to campagnolo Zonda and deda stem,handle bars,seat post,bottle cages.Now its lighter weighing 9.2 kilos

[@fede1275]

Great, it must also look amazing!

[@tevesjuliusrey]

@@fede1275 I think so but yours is amazing in Red!Nice vids!

[@Shane_Finnegan]

Hi, thanks for the review. I'm purchasing my first road bike and the store recommended this bike, interestingly they retail the bike for €1,350. Would you recommend this bike or look for better value?

[@fede1275]

I might have lost touch with prices after covid, but it now seems steep. At that price I would try to find a bike with full 105, maybe Canyon Endurace AL. I bought my Ultimate CF SL 7 for £1100 used.

[@tinniswood2577]

Good looking bike, the frame and fork are very sensible money.

[@fede1275]

Definitely!!!

[@bludog4657]

Everyone needs a solid work horse bike. I would say for 600 you got a smoking deal, how much did you pay for your Canyon?

[@fede1275]

Not a crazy amount either. I got the 2019 used Ultimate CF SL 7 for £1150 and the new one for £1700.

[@bludog4657]

@@fede1275 Very nice. It seems that Canyon has a good balance with their builds and price. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

[@bikepackingadventure7913]

Nice commuter bike, but I could see you riding a nice Cinelli fixed gear around town. 🤔🙂🙂 Smart and stylish

[@fede1275]

That would be really cool! Might need to rework my riding kit though 🤔

[@goonzjav]

Ha exactly what I have for my commutes, so little maintenance. Love fixed in town

[@bikepackingadventure7913]

@@fede1275 I wear my castelli kit on my commute on my aluminium Cinelli vigorelli with a 48 - 17 t Fast 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲

[@garysladek9110]

Great review, and a really nice looking bike. I live in the U S and Merida is one of many bikes, that I have considered, which are not sold here, cheers.

[@SC_Can]

Great looking machine.

[@fede1275]

Absolutely!! Especially considering the price!

[@gidzlopez]

Using scultura 300! It's a tough machine!

[@fede1275]

Nice one!!

[@gidzlopez]

@@fede1275 did you mention how many Km/Miles you've ridden on your Merida? I am at 9000km with all stock parts except the cleat pedals

[@fede1275]

@@gidzlopez yes, I should be around 7000Km, but at the beginning I did not record on Strava, can you believe it 😂. Unfortunately for the bike these are all winter or wet rides.

[@advantasian]

Just came across this. What an awesome and super-informative video. Just about to get me the scultura as well. Just the Size is bugging me... Yours is an L right. I'm 180cm - so would it be ML? What would you suggest? Thank you 🙏

[@fede1275]

Thank you! Yes my Scultura is L, I am 185 and I followed the sizing tool on Merida UK website. You enter your height, inseam and arm length and I was there in L. I would follow their advice, it will also matter what model you are buying as I believe cheaper version would have a more relaxed geometry.

[@advantasian]

@@fede1275 I see... Thank you for this great piece of advice. And thank you for taking your time, even on a Sunday. Best regards from Thailand

[@user-ur9wy1lt8z]

How good is this bike for racing?

[@fede1275]

This is the entry level of the Scultura range, might a bit heavy for racing. But it all depends on where you want to compete.

[@Enigmaafk]

Have you experience feet overlap on this bike frame. Meaning if you turn very hard with your pedal position at a 3 O clock position your feet will touch the front wheel. Was just curious. Or have you experienced this in any of your other Road bikes.

[@fede1275]

It's very similar on the Merida and the Canyon Ultimate, my toe would just scrape the wheel if I try. My cleats are positioned backwards as well. I got used to it and it is easy to deal with it.

[@Enigmaafk]

@@fede1275 thank you for confirming this. I think it has to do with the Geometry of the bike, trek Emonda H2 geometry has the same issue. I kind a hate it .

[@fede1275]

@@Enigmaafk maybe they need to compromise good handling and toe overlap and might not be able to achieve both.

[@Enigmaafk]

@@fede1275 I guess handling/maneuver and performance override safety. But to be honest I like the Geometry of the bike 🚴 but I always like to put safety first. Also the average rider might not know this which can be very detrimental. Thanks

[@concernpinoy9228]

what a nice ride 👌

[@fede1275]

Yes, superb value!

[@Rognar69]

What size is this bike? What is your height and inseam length?

[@fede1275]

This is marked as 56 Large from Merida, I'm 185cm height, inseam 89.

[@Rognar69]

@@fede1275 Thank you for fast answer. I'm 183/85 so i hope i will fit (with little adjustment of course) this bike as good as you :) Thank you for your videos, especially about bikefitting, it helps me a lot! Once more, thank you for your work you put in making videos :)

[@fede1275]

@@Rognar69 Thank you for watching! Check the sizing chart as well, I believe Merida as Giant they also have an ML version that can also fit you.

[@craigherriot4026]

"Believe me, the shape is un-believable" 😂😉

[@fede1275]

Hyperbole of the finest example 😂😂

[@stuartfreedman6854]

Your film illustrates that a bicycle does not have to be a lightweight carbon thoroughbred to be thoroughly beautiful.

[@fede1275]

Yes, especially when some of carbon fibre bikes are also growing up in weight. The distinction between cheap and expensive is not as clear as it used to be.

[@stuartfreedman6854]

@@fede1275 So true. Nowadays I think it cheap vs. expensive has mostly to do with just (component) weight and durability. More reasons to pay attention to maintenance. Performance is getting very close to even. Another engaging video btw.

[@fede1275]

@@stuartfreedman6854 you are right, need to be even more careful in the current market. Thank you

[@fiLthy_Rx]

I don't know why, but I always expect Italian cyclists to only ride Italian bikes equipped with Campagnolo groupsets 😅.

[@fede1275]

I know, I wish I could afford those fantastic machines...