On top of Merida’s mountain and flax road builds for 2013, a new cross bike just popped up on their Australian site. Named Cyclocross 4, it’s an entry level aluminum build replicating Merida’s previous 4-d cross bike.
There’s at least one change I notice. Avid BB5R brakes from the 4-d are dropped for a choice of 160 or 140mm Hayes CX-5 disc brakes, perhaps even lighter with a claimed weight of 320g for 140mm. If so, that’ll put total weight at less than the 4-d’s 10.5kg. On the aluminum frame and straight disc fork, Shimano 105 shifts an FSA Gossamer Cross 46-36 chain wheel that’s linked to a Tiagra 10 speed 12-28 tooth cassette. The cockpit and wheelset are all Merida and tires are Maxxis Race 33 Kevlar.
Also, they added an XL 61cm to this model, in addition to 48, 52, 55 and 58 sold previously. Pricing is 1,599 AUD which takes it to $1,630 by my calculations.
