2021 Merida Reacto Review | This Year's Best Value Aero Bike?

The 2021 Merida Reacto 6000 is a great value aero road bike with a stiff, race-ready frameset and excellent handling characteristics. It has smart cable routing, with good quality finishing kit and it’s also surprisingly comfortable.

Average wheels and tyres hold it back from a perfect score, but, if you’re looking for a fast road bike that can be upgraded down the line, this is a fantastic option.

What do you think about Merida's good value aero bike? Does the 8.5kg weight make you gasp in horror? Or do you think the compromises to meet its price are worth it? As always let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Follow BikeRadar on our social media channels:

BikeRadar is supported by Mountain Biking UK and Cycling Plus Magazine.

For more content like this see our latest subscription offer:

Presenter: Simon Bromley
Camera: Max Wilman
Editor: Max Wilman
Producer: Felix Smith

#2021meridareacto #aeroroadbike #bikeradarreview

[richcrompton]

My current road bike weighs in at 12.5kg and is as aero optimised as a brick, so one of those ‘heavy’ Merida’s would be awesome!

[Stonefish]

I’ve been lucky to have just taken delivery on a Reacto 8000e, though it’s in hibernation until next spring - if it rides half as well as it looks I’ll be a happy man 😍

[AllanPhillips]

Thanks for giving us an informative review with helpful facts and figures, rather than just the usual tired superlatives about stiffness, handling and comfort. If I didn't already have a Wilier Cento 10 Pro, this one would definitely be on my shortlist, and I love a bright colour scheme.

[mervingan]

I was a user for the Allez sprint for 4 years. And just yesterday I bought the reacto 4000. I went for a 55km with some 6 deg climbs and helll yea! Weight is not an issue on this bike! It’s super comfy, super responsive and I love everything about it!

[Sir-Prizse]

I ride a 2019 Merida Scultura and it's my favorite bike.... exceptionally good price to performance, great race bike

[danieledelstein]

The imagery of an aero-bike being ridden by a rider with his jacket flapping in the breeze is priceless!

[roebbiej]

I'd like them to swap to full 105 so they could put the rest of the money in weight saving and maybe better rims or tires

[exmum]

I have the reacto 4000 in the Bahrain McLaren team color, it has 105 and only cost 1500. I recon the value is way better if you dont have to have ultegra.

[lodvaessen]

Expect my 8000E in June! Blue cf5 with di2, exited!

[adcmoya]

I'm planning to get Merida Reacto 6000 this month and problably i wll ask to change an integrate carbono handel bar. Also the review helped me at lot, thanks!

[stefanodirector]

I heard the cable routing in this model (Ultegra mech) resulted in a not so fluid action and a little bit more effort when shifting gears. Do you confirm?

[Andy_ATB]

Good to see it takes 30mm; that's almost the minimum on UK roads, which are less than

[thomasmayo]

Bikeradar - how do you find the shifting? I.e. is mechanical shifting worse than mechanical ultegra on a non-integrated bike where the gear cables have more gentle bends? Thanks!

[felipeernestoyanezsandoval]

Hi! I would like a review about Scott foil
Thanks

[Jedsonmcfarly]

At that price dropping a little bit of extra cash on some better wheels and tyres shouldn't be a big thing! Paint Jo is a bit 'meh' tho?!

[brotherfranciz]

Sonny Colbrelli just won Paris-Roubaix on this bike. 👍

[dzat]

Giant & Merida is the best value for money bike in the pro peloton....merida basically produce the bikes for specialize hence its not available in the NA due to its agreement wt Specialize

[marcing]

Where did You get this color frame from? I can only see it being offered in stealth black

[nosense]

I got the Reacto 5000 white 2018 and it’s so nice

[willbeau]

Good review because it was honest and balanced. I may get one!