The Fulcrum Speed 55T wheels are paired with Continental tubulars(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
A look at Arashiro's cockpit(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
For 2018, Bahrain-Merida have switch to a black base colour on their bikes as opposed to the dark metallic blue from last season(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
A look at the rear brake, which is positioned underneath the bottom bracket(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
The Merida Reacto seatpost features a rubber insert that helps dampen road vibrations, increasing comfort and reducing fatigue(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
The brake position on the bike results in a neat rear end(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
A look at the carbon shelled Fulcrum hubs(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
As with other aero bikes, the seat clamp in a wedge style system located in the top tube and seat tube junction(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
Arashiro runs an 11-28 cassette(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
The SRM power meter is paired with a SRM speed sensor, which is located on the fork arm(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
Several WorldTour teams run Continental Competition ALX 25mm tubular tyres(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
A quick release barrell adjuster allows the rear brake to be released(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
Arashiro opts for Vision Metron integrated handlebars(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
Bahran-Merida are equipped with team edition Prologo saddles(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
These are the first SRM Origin cranksets we've seen with Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 chainrings(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
Despite the updated chainrings, Arashiro is still running Dura-Ace 9000 series pedals(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
The Di2 cable for the Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 rear derailleur exits directly out of the back of the chain stay(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
Bahrain-Merida's bikes are running Dura-Ace chains(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
The 2018 Merida Reacto sees smaller seat stays than its predecessor(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
Colour coordinated Elite Custom Race Plus bottle cages for Bahrain-Merida(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
A closer look at the SRM Origin crankset(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
Arashiro opts for satellite shifter buttons on the drops of his handlebars(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
The custom finished gold SRM PC-8 headunit wasn't available to be shot with the bike(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
The internal cable routing of the frame runs through the downtube(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
The top tube on the Reacto features a central peak(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
A number 1 sticker marks Arashiro's race bike over the spare bike(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
In his 11th season as a professional, Japanese rider Yukiya Arashiro begins his 2018 campaign as he did in the previous season at the Tour Down Under.
While the updated 2018 Merida Reacto was first seen back in June at the Criterium du Dauphine, Arashiro receives an updated paint job and new chainrings on a bike that is otherwise very similar to last season.
Bahrain-Merida used SRM Origin cranksets in their debut season and the German power meter company have updated the crankset for 2018 with Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 series chainrings, resulting in a gucci, black and raw carbon unit.
During 2017, Bahrain-Merida finished their Merida framesets in a red, gold, but predominantly metallic blue base colour design. For 2018, the team switches the metallic blue base colour for a more contrasting black, which not only matches the crankset but the Dura-Ace groupset and Fulcrum Speed raw carbon wheels and allows the additional colours to pop out on the bike.
Arashiro chooses to pair his aero frameset with the equally wind cheating Vision Metron 5D integrated handlebar and stem combination, which is only wrapped with tape on the drops and left bare on the tops for maximum aerodynamic performance.
Italian saddle specialists Prologo provide Bahrain-Merida with saddles, customised with bands of team colours on the rear of the seat.
Click or swipe through the gallery above for a detailed look at Arashiro's 2018 bike.
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Full specification
Frame: Merida Reacto CF4
Fork: Merida Reacto Superlite full carbon tapered fork
Critical measurements
Rider’s weight: 64kg
Rider’s height: 1.7m
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 705mm
Tip of saddle nose to handlebars (c): 525mm
Total bicycle weight: 7.26kg
Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100
Brake/shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150
Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100, 11-28
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100
Crankset: SRM Origin with integrated power meter, 172.5mm cranks, 53/39 Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 chainrings
