Lampre-Merida climber Matthew Lloyd used this bright neon Merida Scultura SL machine at this year's Santos Tour Down Under.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Plastic sleeves keep the valve stems from rattling inside the deep-section carbon fiber rims.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The FSA OS-99 stem features a carbon wrap over a forged aluminum core.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Fulcrum Racing Speed XLR deep-section carbon tubular rims feature neon decals to match the rest of the bike.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
While many pros are moving to wider tires, Matthew Lloyd's (Lampre-Merida) Fulcrum Racing Speed XLR wheels are wrapped in 22mm-wide Continental Competition Pro Limited tubulars.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Shimano Dura-Ace BR-7900 brake calipers are fitted with carbon-specific pads.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Matthew Lloyd's (Lampre-Merida) Selle San Marco Regale saddle is mounted to a zero-setback FSA K-Force carbon seatpost.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Power meters still aren't widespread among casual riders but they're practically standard-issue among top pros.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 rear derailleur is mated to an Ultegra 11-25T cassette.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The seatpost is clamped with a carbon fiber collar.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
As is the case with most Shimano-sponsored pros, Matthew Lloyd (Lampre-Merida) is still using previous-generation Dura-Ace Di2 componentry until the newer version is more widely available.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The head tube on Matthew Lloyd's (Lampre-Merida) Merida Scultura SL is just 110mm long. Note the careful trimming of the race number plate by the team mechanics.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Merida builds the Scultura SL with a tapered, full-carbon fork.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The top tube is gradually curved but also very wide.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Team sponsor Merida wants to make sure the brand name is visible from all sides.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The internally routed Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wire is ported above - not below - the quick release skewer, just as it should be.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Merida Scultura SL prioritizes weight and stiffness over aerodynamics, as noted in the round seat tube, which gradually flares out near the bottom bracket.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Chunky chain stays transmit the Aussie climber's efforts to the rear wheel.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Internal-cam Fulcrum skewers clamp down on carbon fiber dropouts.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Somehow this seems like just about the right amount of neon.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Australian climber Matthew Lloyd and his Lampre-Merida team find themselves on a new machine for the 2013 season but carrying over is the distinct neon flair that makes them easy to spot in a crowded peloton. We caught up with Lloyd's new Merida Scultura SL at the Santos Tour Down Under.
Lloyd's Scultura SL carbon frame adheres to traditional stiffness-to-weight priorities with its nominally round, oversized, and tapered tubes - there's nary an aero profile to be found, at least not in the chassis. The head tube surrounds a tapered 1 1/8 - 1 1/2" steerer, the lower end is anchored by the new ultra-oversized BB386 EVO bottom bracket shell, the arched and flattened top tube is broad from end to end, and the seat tube flares from top to bottom.
In keeping with the theme, the chainstays are rather bulbous, too, although Merida does slim down the seat stays considerably – and adds softer flax fiber to the mix – to lend a smoother ride.
Merida has infused Lloyd's bike with another secret weapon from its arsenal, though – an internal wall-to-wall rib running the length of the down tube to increase stiffness and impact resistance.
Lampre-Merida has switched component sponsors from last year, moving from Campagnolo to Shimano. As was the case with most Shimano-equipped we saw at the Santos Tour Down Under, Lloyd's Scultura SL was fitted with previous-generation Dura-Ace Di2 electronic bits in place of the newer 9070 version set to arrive later this spring. Another familiar sight is the SRM power meter, outfitted with 53/39T Dura-Ace 7900 chainrings.
Lampre-Merida has carried over its wheel and cockpit sponsors, though, which is somewhat unusual given Shimano's recent move to pushing teams to use its rolling stock and PRO bits, too. When we caught up with Lloyd's bike, mechanics had fitted deep-section Fulcrum Racing Speed XLR carbon tubulars, wrapped with 22mm-wide Continental tires.
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Lloyd bucks a couple of trends with his FSA cockpit components, opting for a carbon fiber bar, carbon-wrapped stem, and a zero-setback carbon fiber seatpost topped with a Selle San Marco Regale saddle.
Finishing things off are Elite Custom Race cages, an aluminum SRM PowerControl 7 computer head, and an FSA headset and bottom bracket.
Rider's height: 1.71m (5' 7") Rider's weight: 62kg (137lb) Saddle height, from BB: (c-t) 701mm Saddle setback: 29mm Seat tube length, c-t: 440mm Seat tube length, c-c: 402mm Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 495mm Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 105mm Head tube length: 110mm Top tube length: 515mm Total bicycle weight: 7.38kg (16.27lb) with computer
