New Gravel Bike Day: Merida Silex 400 2024 first look!

This weeks video I have a surprise and a big reveal.
I decided to utilise funding and purchased a brand new Merida Silex 400 Gravel Bike. This video is my first impressions and I am very confident this bike will open the gateway to many, many adventures!
If you would like to come along for the ride and follow my adventures you must Subscribe and comment below! Please share this as my fanbase is starting to take off and I want you all to join the fun!
Hope to see you in the next one guys... Bye for Now!!
#merida #silex400 #trending #vlog #new #cyclingpassion #tips #bike #art #comment #engagement #bikelifestyle #help #community #growth #advice #roadto100k

[@JasonInMelbourne]

I had the 2020 Silex 400 in the matt blue colourway for a couple of years and loved it so much I upgraded to the Silex 4000 in Dark Strawberry during the Black Friday sales in 2022. I've always run Fulcrum Racing 7DB wheels on all my gravel bikes (Silex 4000 is now my 3rd), but with this 4000 I run a 2nd set. The first set Fulcrum Racing 7DB's has 42c wide WTB Raddlers with 10-speed 11-42T cassette (yes, the GRX400 rear derailleur can cope with this XT cassette as long as the b-screw tightened all the way) and use this pair for hills, trail parks and rough surfaces. The other set has 38c Vittoria Terreno Zeroes with the original cassette and use this more for cruising flatter gravel trails with less challenging surfaces. And then I went and bought a 3rd set of Fulcrum Racing 6DB's with Pirelli Cinturato Velo 35mm road tyres for riding road and asphalt trails (only used once so far). All 3 set have been set up tubeless with Stan's NoTubes. Would love to see how you're going with your Silex 400 2 years down the track.

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

Thanks for watching 👀 thats a lot of helpful advice for wheelset upgrades etc appreciate that. Feel free to subscribe if you like, I will prob do an update video of the bike after a few weeks and if it’s anything like my Trek Domane 2 years down the road I can see me still riding this 👍

[@JasonInMelbourne]

@@ThatCyclingChimp I've definitely found my love of cycling again with gravel. The roads around Melbourne have become a death trap with aggressive driver behaviour putting me right off road cycling after 30 years (1 collision, many near misses, objects thrown at me). And there's so much more to see with virtually no traffic depending on the trails you use (dirt roads, fire roads, etc), but then come the hazards of shared use trails (horses, pedestrians and runners wearing headphones, dogs off leash, meandering kids). Enjoy the adventure!

[@davemoss6976]

I got one of these last autumn and it's been brilliant. Great on road and better on the many forest and windfarm roads here in d&g. Handles the rougher farm tracks as well, and with the 2x gears handles the steepest hills better than my 1x pals . Lots of fixings bikepacking as well.

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

I kinda wanted to go a x1 at first but Im glad i didn’t. The gearing is a completely different ride to my other bikes. Im also surprised how “nippy” it feels on tarmac! I need to get down to D&G for some riding 👍

[@AndrewJamesKirkwood]

I have the the Silex 700, but the older model,, but from the moment I sat on it at the shop it just felt so good, and I did something I never do, I bought it spontaneously there and then, and I’ve not regretted it for a minute, I absolutely love it. And you’re right, it’s bomb-proof, and the slightly more upright position makes for a very comfortable ride, although I have changed the original seat for a short nosed Berthoud leather saddle, I can now ride it all day, every day, especially on rough trails, no problems.

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

The saddle is a criticism for me also. I have a Brooks C15 on my other ride. I have ordered a C17 for this one but delivery estimate is 22nd march to 26th sept 🙈.

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

Thanks again for watching & Subscribing 👍

[@AndrewJamesKirkwood]

@@ThatCyclingChimp - I agree, the uncomfortable saddle was my only complaint, and together with the stupid little toolkit it comes with, it weighed over 400g, and so the leather saddle I now have on it, is actually lighter. I also put on a cheap Chinese copy of the Ergon carbon seat post from AliExpress, and now it’s all adjusted and broken in, it’s a really comfortable ride.

[@thedownunderverse]

Is the front derailleur clamp removable? (Assume it’s not a band on style, but perhaps the clamp fixture can be removed with bolts?)

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

First off thanks for watching and commenting 🐵 I believe the clamp is removable and it is not a band style you are correct. I would check out your LBS or the Merida website for a more accurate and in depth answer 🙌 Feel free to check out my other videos and subscribe if you like 👍

[@WheelersAtLarge]

Very nice... 👍😁

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

I thought so myself 🙊 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

[@steve101968]

The 2023 frame apparently did very well competitively. It was on my list as well. I went for a on one rujo. I went for steel as i never had one vefore and the roads round mine are god awful. Im taking mine to helensburg at the end of april see you around

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

This was another reason i picked Merida for Gravel. I love my Trek Domane but this Silex is just pure fun to ride! Stay safe and ride on 🐵

[@radosawszmid7822]

I came here to listen to the review, but it turned out that I don't understand English 😂 However, it seems that you are quite satisfied and I can confidently buy this model 😀

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

Thank you! 😃

[@roelkomduur8073]

Tjeez, the state of these roads...Compared to here in the Netherlands....Poor UK.

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

This is why i went for a Gravel bike as the conditions over here every ride can be considered a gravel adventure 🙈

[@James-gm3pb]

Hi, Is Silex 400 is dropper post ready? thanks

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

I believe it can be converted with the cable routing in the frame. I personally do not have a dropper post installed.

[@steffilomi9328]

Interesting bike. How is the weight?

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

Thanks for watching 🐵. Weight wise in large it is round about 11kg which sounds heavy but it is light to lift especially with accessories added! I have newer video that gives a more in depth look. Feel free to check it out and consider subscribing if you haven’t already. Ride safe out there 🐵

[@robduncan599]

Hope you have good luck with the new bike .

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

Thanks 👍 So far so good. The GRX groupset is a completely different ride from the Sora. Im confident this bike is going to open up more adventure potential! Not the the old Trek is forgotten about

[@robduncan599]

@@ThatCyclingChimp I'm sure you'll keep us up updated going along . I am just coming back to cycling after a long time bike in the shed rusting away ,at 61 and very unfit, as a very short rider I picked up a used specialized amera(xs woman version fits me )carbon bike/ wheels, very sporty for me , and limited to 25mm tyres, weighing 7.5kg it's strictly tarmac. I love it so far as a get fit bike , in retrospect a gravel bike might have been a more sensible choice?

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

The Trek domane is “capable” of gravel but it’s more of a road bike. A gravel bike is more like a mountain bike with drop bars. They are good for all round. I picked one up as i like the versatility and positioning of the handlebars rather than a straight bar. I nearly bought a Merida trail bike. I will keep u all updated how i get on with this bike tho. The specialized bike you speak about is a well suited bike I had a Sirrus a while ago well built bikes!

[@pierrex3226]

New bike day but all we see is you. If you were a pretty 25yo russian girl, I wouldn't mind, but not that.

[@ThatCyclingChimp]

And here was me thinking i was just as pretty, how rude 😂 there will be a fuller video coming. As the title suggests it’s a first look. 👀 It is also a bit creepy if you are looking for girls on KZbin even if they are of legal age!