Merida Crossway 20 (2022) - Text Review

The Crossway 20 uses a Crossway TFS III aluminium frame. It strikes a balance between weight, stiffness, and durability. According to the site, the geometry has “the perfect blend of aggressiveness and comfort.”

Multiple sizes are offered: from XSmall (43 cm) up to XLarge (59 cm), in two colours (Green and Red) through medium to large ranges. Riders in the ~160 – 190 cm height bracket should find a good fit depending on your preferred riding posture.

The paint finish is matte, which gives a premium, understated look. The frame tubes, welds, and overall finishing reflect good attention to detail. “Top notch matte paint job.”

The bike offers a 24-speed drivetrain, combining a Shimano Tourney TY710 3-speed front and Shimano Acera M360 8-speed rear with Microshift TS39 3×8 shifters. This gives a broad gear range suitable for urban commuting, gradeds, and moderate hills. “24-Speed drivetrain gave a wide range for efficient climbs and quick acceleration.” On flats, the gearing lets you spin efficiently; on gradients, the lowest gears allow manageable climbing without over-straining. The front lockout on the fork also helps reduce wasted movement when you're on smooth roads or ramps. The tyres (700×40c) are wide enough to buffer rough surfaces, though not as chunky as full-offroad tyres.

Suspension fork (63 mm) with lockout helps smooth out bumps, potholes & rough patches on city roads. Seat post has 40 mm travel with a quick release, adding some vertical compliance. Handlebar is wide (660 mm with 25 mm rise) which gives better control and comfort, especially for commuting or for less aggressive posture.

Equipped with Power DS100 hydraulic disc brakes, which perform well even in humid / wet conditions, and offer sharp response. Good for traffic stops, sudden braking, and controlling speed downhill. “These brakes were powerful and had a fast response time when sudden braking in traffic and even on fast turns.”

Frame geometry plus wide grips and 700c wheels give stable handling. On straight roads, steering is confident; in tighter corners, the rise in handlebar helps leverage control. With the front suspension in play, steering has a small amount of play on very rough surfaces, but that is expected.