The Merida Silex is a high-performance aluminum gravel bike engineered for riders seeking ultimate reliability on the road less traveled, backcountry bikepacking epics, and fast daily commuting. Pairing a robust, high-quality aluminum frame with a premium full carbon fork, this model features a ground-up design inspired by modern mountain bike geometry.
By utilizing longer top and head tubes combined with a short stem, it delivers remarkably nimble, stable, and confidence-inspiring handling on unpredictable off-road terrain. The pure racing pedigree of the Silex concept was proven globally when Matej Mohoric secured the Gravel World Championship title on it. This second-generation frame features an updated fork layout, allowing you to swap to a front suspension fork down the line without altering the bike’s geometry.
Completely optimized for serious cargo and adventure, it boasts five independent sets of bottle bosses, integrated rack and fender mounts, and full compatibility for internally routed dropper seatposts and advanced dynamo hub wiring systems.
MTB-Inspired Gravel Geometry: Built with a rugged aluminum frame featuring a longer cockpit and shorter stem to maximize off-road stability, front-end control, and long-distance comfort.
Full Carbon Tapered Fork: Premium carbon construction with a tapered steerer, multiple integrated gear cage mounting points, and clean internal routing designed for a dynamo front hub.
Shimano GRX 1 x 12 Drivetrain: Equipped with Shimano's flagship gravel-specific 12-speed single-chainring groupset, providing an ultra-wide gear range for climbing steep loose trails while eliminating front derailleur maintenance and chain drops.
Shimano GRX Hydraulic Disc Brakes: High-end, gravel-optimized hydraulic stopping power flat-mounted neatly on the chainstay for maximum force dissipation, giving you absolute control and feather-light lever feel in any weather.
Shimano RX180 Wheelset: Features a durable, fast-rolling Shimano RX180 factory wheelset locked down by stiff 12mm front and rear bolt-through axles for superior lateral rigidity and precise disc alignment.
Ultimate Adventure Mounts: Fully equipped with a comprehensive array of dedicated fixing points across the frame to seamlessly carry bikepacking bags, water cages, protective mudguards, and heavy-duty rear luggage racks.
Merida Silex 700 Gravel Bike
Frame: Lite II 6066 triple-butted, hydroformed, and smooth-welded aluminum tubing featuring clean internal cable routing. Built with a tapered head tube, inboard flat disc mounts, a durable threaded bottom bracket, and a stiff 142 x 12mm thru-axle standard. Complete with integrated mounting points for multiple bags, cages, mudguards, and a rear rack. (Max tire clearance: 700 x 45c / 700 x 42c with mudguards)
Full Carbon Fork: Merida Silex II CF2; premium full carbon fiber construction with a tapered steerer tube and internal routing. Engineered to absorb aggressive off-road chatter while delivering incredibly precise steering control. (Max tire clearance: 700 x 47c)
Gearing & Drivetrain: Premium, gravel-specific 12-speed 1x transmission powered by high-end Shimano GRX 820 shifters and a clutched Shimano GRX 822 rear derailleur for ultimate chain retention on rough paths.
Cassette: Shimano M7100 SLX; massive 10-51 teeth, 12-speed setup offering an ultra-wide gear range to crawl up the steepest mountain inclines and carry high speeds on flat gravel roads.
Chainset: Flagship Shimano GRX 820 single chainring setup with a 42-tooth configuration for optimal off-road efficiency. Crank lengths: 170mm (XXS/XS/S/M) or 172.5mm (L/XL).
Bottom Bracket & Chain: High-grade threaded Shimano SM-BBR60 bottom bracket paired with a smooth-shifting Shimano M6100-12 chain.
Braking System: Shimano GRX 820 hydraulic brake levers paired with Shimano GRX 820 hydraulic calipers and premium Shimano RT64 180mm Centerlock rotors (front and rear) for unparalleled, effortless modulation and stopping control.
Premium Wheelset: Shimano WH-RX180-700C gravel-specific wheelset featuring a wide 25mm inner rim width and 25mm rim depth. Built with robust aluminum rims, 12mm thru-axle Centerlock hubs, and optimized for high-volume tires.
Premium Gravel Tires: High-volume Maxxis Rambler adventure tires (700x45C) featuring a folding Kevlar bead, robust EXO puncture-resistant sidewalls, and Tubeless Ready (TR) technology for low-pressure off-road comfort.
Cockpit & Handlebars: Merida Expert GRII flared aluminum gravel handlebars providing enhanced leverage and control on technical drops. Widths: 400mm (XXS/XS/S), 420mm (M), or 440mm (L/XL), wrapped in premium Merida ROAD Expert tape.
Stem: Merida Team CC III lightweight aluminum stem (31.8mm clamp diameter) with a sporty -6 degree rise. Length: 80mm for all frame sizes to ensure nimble off-road handling.
Headset: High-end Acros ICR Merida External neck system with a durable die-cast split ring for completely integrated cable integration.
Saddle & Carbon Seatpost: Merida Expert SL saddle with integrated V-mount system (eco-friendly construction utilizing 6% recycled and 23% natural materials) including a handy Merida minitool. Paired with a premium, vibration-damping Merida Expert SL carbon fiber seatpost (27.2mm diameter, in-line).
Wheel Size: Modern 700c performance adventure gravel standard.