Merida Scultura 4000 Disc (2018) - Review

The Scultura 4 Disc boasts a full CF2 carbon frame, which is built elegantly with some performance enhancing tube structuring. The gently arching top tube swoops back to the seat tube and forms into a flattened shape that transforms into triangular, arching seat stays. All of this combines to give the frame a purposeful, muscular look. This frame is hugely stiff and thus giving a responsive ride, especially when climbing steep hills. The full carbon fork is built with no compromises, making it aero as well strong enough to handle and absorb quite a bit of vibration off the tarmac.

The Scultura 4 Disc is equipped with a performance focused Shimano 15 derailleur at both the front and back. 15's are considered to be the beginning of full performance gearing components for road bicycles. The 2x11 speed drivetrain worked seamlessly during the long test ride on flat tarmacs and a few flyover climbs as well. The Shimano RS55 22-Speed integrated paddle shifters on the handlebar worked well and were easy to use without any difficulty.

Merida has always given importance to aesthetics and constantly improving their game. The 218 Scultura 4 Disc, which I test, rode came in a full black frame with minimal white graphics. The butted frame along with neat moulds make the tube shapes look stylish. The matte finish paint job is of superior quality and has a smooth finish to it.

Disc brakes on road bicycles are becoming fairly common these days with Merida being the front-runners in this transition. The Scultura 4 Disc has Shimano RS55 hydraulic disc brakes at both the front and rear. Hydraulics are the most powerful one could find on a road bicycle and need some practice to get used to them to ensure safe braking. The lever shape looks new but fits well into the palms.Merida's Expert double butted 661 aluminium drop handlebars are perfect in length to give the rider optimum steering control. The brake/gear integration was in good reach from both the hoods and drops.

The Continental Ultra Sport II folding tires on the Scultura 4 Disc has a PureGrip compound, but no hi-tech puncture resistance layer. No puncture resistance layer helps achieve a lower rolling resistance at the cost of lower puncture resistance. The trade-off between rolling resistance and puncture resistance will always exist; a stronger tire will have a higher rolling resistance. The grip is decent on even wet roads with decent traction. The Merida Sport Road saddle is ergonomically designed to keep your sit bones stable at the widest part of the saddle.