Your opinion counts! By taking part in the GRAN FONDO Reader Survey 2026, you’re actively helping shape the future of the bike industry. Be part of the evolution and enter our prize draw for a chance to win a Merida REACTO PRO worth € 7,699!

Banner Website GF Leserumfrage 2026 INT 1024x768 3

By taking part in our reader survey, you’re helping us make GRAN FONDO Magazine even better. Your feedback will not only influence the direction of our magazine but will also help the industry build better, safer, and smarter bikes.

Needless to say, your data stays private – we will only use your responses anonymously for statistical analysis.

Head straight to the 2026 reader survey here

REACTO PRO vanred MY27 1 1140x729

And because we know how valuable your time is, we want to give something massive back. Together with our partners, we’re giving away a true dream bike worth € 7,699 this year!

We’re dropping a real asphalt rocket into the prize draw for the drop-bar segment: the brand-new MERIDA REACTO PRO! We’ve already rallied the flagship model of this aero platform extensively on the pristine tarmac around the cycling mecca of Girona, and our entire team was absolutely thrilled. The best part? The race-proven DNA and outstanding riding characteristics carry over one-to-one to the PRO version!

The REACTO PRO turns heads with its sharp, angular silhouette, breaking radically away from the sea of generic, rounded aero bikes. Out on the asphalt, it reveals itself as a pure speed machine: it accelerates crisply, glides almost weightlessly, and delivers a perfectly balanced handling mix of agility and composure. No complex setup, no nonsense: just hop on, clip in, and fly! You can read our full impressions in our MERIDA REACTO review.

Head straight to the 2026 reader survey here!

It takes less than 15 minutes to complete. The reader survey runs until 31 August 2026.


Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Jonny Grapentin Photos: Tim Eckermann

About the Author

Jonny Grapentin
Editor

Jonny Grapentin is an editor at 41 Publishing for E-MOUNTAINBIKE and DOWNTOWN. His background as a publisher in digital education explains his didactically grounded approach. He is responsible for "The MIRROR" column, focusing on development logic and the long-term relevance of products beyond launch cycles. His expertise lies in evaluating technological innovation and everyday utility, which he demonstrates in his numerous product tests. Whether it’s kids' bikes, pizza ovens, or espresso machines, he consistently tests innovations for real-world value, and critically questions market trends.

GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine

GRAN FONDO is the first independent premium magazine for road and gravel bikes with a holistic lifestyle approach. We write for visionaries and adventurers, for creative minds and tech enthusiasts who see cycling as part of their way of life. Instead of obsessing over watts and marginal gains, our editorial team looks at the bigger picture: high-end bikes, global trends and technological milestones, all evaluated with a firm grounding in real-world use.

Since 2016, GRAN FONDO has stood for journalistic depth and full transparency in the drop-bar segment. Our awards are recognized worldwide as a benchmark for riders, retailers, and the industry alike. In our in-depth reviews and comparison tests, years of testing expertise flow into practical, independent product analysis.

GRAN FONDO is published in both German and English, reaching an international audience.