Merida completely overhaulled their Silex gravel bike in late 2023, with the new model even winning the 2023 men’s Gravel World Championships, just days before it was launched. While pro riders can win on a range of equipment, Merida did a lot of work on the Silex. By all accounts the original Silex rode well, but it had copped a flogging with the ugly stick. The new Silex is sleeker and a whole lot more capable both between the tape – and loaded up.
Merida have a wide range of models, and the Silex 700 on test has their LITE II aluminium frame and carbon fork, with Shimano’s latest 12-speed GRX 1x12 group set. Selling for $3399, it’s a great price point for a gravel bike, which is a second (or third) bike for many of us. This
