“Discs are here to stay!” Merida makes a bold statement with the introduction of the new SCULTURA Disc to the cycling world and their committed Pro Tour Team Lampre-Merida.
The new SCULTURA DISC is built upon the current SCULTURA and comes with an important and inventive solution for disc brakes. The goal during the development of the bike was to maintain the comfortable but also stiff and efficient riding characteristics of the rim brake variant with the general benefits of disc brakes: Including consistent braking power in different conditions, the loss of abrasion on the wheels and the possible danger of delaminating wheels and tubes bursting due to extreme heat.
If we were to consider the typical braking behavior of the average rider – letting the brake drag in the rear to keep a certain base speed and sharply using the front brake before corners – the advantages of disc brakes can be plainly seen. In contrast to many other pro teams, riders of Lampre-Merida did not hesitate to ride disc brakes in the peloton. The SCULTURA DISC will complement the REACTO and SCULTURA.
Technical details
The new SCULTURA DISC will be available in three frame variants: two carbon models and one aluminum. The top-level CF4 weighs only 900 grams and will be used by Team Lampre-Merida. The CF2 weighs just below 1000 grams and is followed by the LITE coming in at below 1500 grams. The CF4s aggressive geometry is markedly toned down in the CF2 and LITE frames; the latter are still performance-oriented but feature a much more upright seating position. Because there were only little adjustments needed to turn the rim brake SCULTURA into its progressive disc counterpart, both are almost identical in terms of their performance data and share the same outstanding head tube and bottom bracket stiffness, comfort and aerodynamics. The chainstays have been lengthened by 8mm to make room for the bigger tyres and to fulfil Shimano’s directive for disc brake frames. Also necessary were adjustments to the fork and rear triangle to grant stability under the one-sided braking forces that come with disc brakes.
- 12 mm thru-axles (100 mm front, 142 mm rear) with 160 mm braking discs on the CF4 and CF2 frame levels; the reason being that neutral UCI support vehicles carry these “new” standards
- “R.A.T.” thru axles („Rapid Axle Technology“) front and rear for ultra-fast changing of the wheels on the CF4
- “Flatmount” braking calipers front and rear on the CF4 and CF2. Advantages: more freedom in designing the seat stays, extensive surface support, and more direct application of force
- Exceptionally stiff BB386 or BB86 (CF4, CF2) bottom brackets with a wide connection to all tubes
- All frames will take up to 28 mm wide tires
As mentioned above all carbon models throughout all price levels will have Merida’s own Disc-Cooler. While front brakes are always well-cooled thanks to constantly exposure to the oncoming airstream, the performance of rear brakes benefit from active heat management.
The Disc-Cooler is made of forged aluminum adding 14 grams and is screwed tight under the rear caliper. In this position it effectively dissipates the uprising heat through CNC- milled cooling fins.
The bike will be available in late fall. We will ride the new SCULTURA DISC on the hard cobbles of Paris-Roubaix in the next few days – stay tuned for our first ride impressions!
Words: Robin Schmitt Photos: Noah Haxel
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