Light and stiff with predictable handling, the Merida Scultura Disc proves there's still a place for the traditional climbing bike in today's aero-obsessed racing culture
The Merida Scultura Disc 10K-E road bike is a climber's dream
Pros
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Lightweight feel
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Responsive to pedal inputs with impressive stiffness
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Communicative underpinnings
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Stealthy aesthetics
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Disc-brake stopping power
Cons
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Ride quality on the firm side
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Lack of integration
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It's been four years since Merida launched this particular iteration of its Scultura platform and, despite its age, it's still proving a worthy option as far as the best lightweight bikes are concerned. Piloted by WorldTour outfit Bahrain-McLaren, the Scultura has earned a reputation for its all-round ability but is undoubtedly best enjoyed when treated to a smorgasbord of lumpy terrain where its lightweight properties can be exploited to the maximum.
The bike you see here is the Merida Scultura 10K-E, a 6.75kg disc-brake-equipped race bike outfitted in Shimano's range-topping hydraulic Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 componentry. Is it as accomplished overcoming gravity as Merida claims? Well, we've spent four months testing it to bring you the definitive answer.
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When it comes to design the Scultura Disc takes on very much a traditional road bike blueprint(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The Scultura is lacking when it comes to cable integration but Merida has tried to keep the front end tidy(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The combination of metallic white and matte/gloss-black accents make for a boldly styled road bike(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Depending on your wiring preferences a Di2 junction box can be placed in the downtube(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
As one of the high-end models in the range, the Scultura Disc 10K-E is manufactured from super-light CF4-grade carbon fibre(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
A carbon-railed Prologo NAGO C3 carbon provides comfort and support for long days in the saddle(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Design and aesthetics
This particular Scultura utilises one of the better-looking colourway options in the Merida road bike range, combining a contrasting black and pearlescent metallic white theme that runs through the entire bike. It's pretty stealthy in terms of visual clout and you'll need to give it a deliberate once-over to make out the glossy maker's name on the matte-finished downtube. There's no disputing its credentials.
In terms of frame design, it utilises very much a traditional road bike blueprint. There are no dropped seat stays but it does feature a 'NACA Fastback' semi-aero downtube profile which straddles the lines between aero and traditional tube shaping. And while it may go against the prophetic teachings of aero doctrine the Scultura Disc proves going fast in a straight line isn't everything; ride feel and communication is just as important but more on that later.
The Scultura however, is clearly lacking when it comes to cable integration. There's a fair bit of cable and hose faff going on at the front, the most perplexing of which is the Di2 shifter wires that route through the top tube but other than that it's a really classing-looking package.
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The stock DT Swiss PRC 1400 Spline DB 35 wheels come wrapped in 25c Continental GP5000 rubber (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The wheels are 35mm deep and offer a decent rolling performance(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Another look at the Merida Team SL carbon post and Prologo NAGO C3 saddle combination(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Cable integration isn't the Scultura's strongpoint but Merida has tried to keep things as tidy as possible(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The crankset comprises a Shimano Dura-Ace 52/36T ring arrangement complete with 172,5mm crankarms(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
DT Swiss takes care of both the front and rear hub assemblies(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The Team SL carbon bar - while appreciably light - could do with a touch more girth for added assurance and control(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
160mm Dura-Ace RT900 Centerlock rotors are located both front and rear(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
As one of the racier models in the range, the Scultura Disc 10K-E is constructed from CF4-grade carbon fibre which is one of two carbon layup grades available in the range, the other being CF2 which is found on the lesser models. The geometry is more aggressive than the CF2 version with a slightly steeper head angle, longer reach and lower stack height. The frame differentiates itself from the rim-brake version by way of thru-axles and flat-mount rear disc brakes, replete with disc cooler vents attached to the chainstay.
Our M/L sized test bike is naturally very light and tips the scales at a feathery 6.86kg without pedals. As the 'E' moniker suggests, it benefits from Shimano's Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 electronic groupset which is a proven recipe when it comes to reliability and performance. Helping keep weight to a minimum is the DT Swiss PRC 1400 Spline DB 35 wheelset. Featuring shallow 35mm rim profile, they've been carefully added to this build to ensure the Scultura overcomes gravity in alacritous fashion.
The balance of the build comprises a combination of Merida's own lightweight accessory range - namely an alloy Expert CC stem, carbon Team SL bar and Team SL seat post and a carbon-railed Prologo NAGO C3 road bike saddle. Merida's Road Expert bar tape and Look Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic pedals complete the bike.
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The Scultura uses flat-mount rear disc brakes, replete with disc cooler vents attached to the chainstay(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
While 25c tyres are standard fare, the Scultura can safely accommodate tyre widths of up to 30c(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
A closer look at the tyre clearance at the rear(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
As the 'E' moniker suggests, it benefits from Shimano's Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 electronic groupset (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Another look at the Prologo NAGO C3 carbon saddle(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The frame differentiates itself from the rim-brake version by way of thru-axles(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Riding experience and performance
As you'd expect from a bike of this nature the Scultura excels the moment the road turns upwards. As we've already established, it's appreciably light out of the box and the stiff, responsive underpinnings make it an absolute joy to pedal around - regardless of the terrain. Sure, it's not as quick as some of its aero-sculpted rivals when it comes to straight-line shunt but that doesn't mean it's lacking when it comes to rolling efficiency.
In fact, a simple wheel change quickly transforms the way it interacts with flatter terrain. I spent a lot of time experimenting with various rim profiles to find the right combination for the type of terrain that makes up my training routes. In that respect, I found the Enve 65 Foundation wheels a bit too deep and the stock DT Swiss wheels a little shallow but the Vision SC 40 DB seemed to strike the right balance in terms of all-round proficiency. In fact, Merida specs the range-topping Scultura Team-E with a similar wheelset - dubbed Vision Metron 40 TL - which is a testament to this setup's many talents.
With the 40s fitted, the Scultura immediately felt more adept - especially when traversing the leg-sapping terrain of the Surrey Hills. Another thing to consider is the ride quality which is a little on the firmer side but that's par for the course. The only thing I could do was dabble with tyres pressures to help quell some of the road chatter. In stock trim, I rode the 25c Continental GP5000 tyres at 80/90psi (front/rear) while swapping out to the tubeless-tyre-clad Vision SC40s dropped the pressures to 45/55psi front/rear based on my weight of 61kg.
This bike, however, is best enjoyed ridden hard and by softening its characteristics by making it more comfortable only takes away from its racy nature. In that regard, the more I rode it the more I enjoyed the communicative feedback from the touchpoints and standard wheel/tyre combination. The harder pressures, while jarring on the body, paint a purer and detailed picture of what's happening underfoot which gives you the assurance to push harder through corners and trust the front end's impressive grip levels.
One area that could be addressed is the handlebar setup. While I understand, this particular configuration was selected with weight in mind, I'd prefer the bar to be a little girthier for better feel and control.
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The mandatory Box Hill climb test - even with the ENVE 65 Foundation wheels fitted, the Scultura overcame the gradient with ease(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Can you really say you climbed Box Hill without a picture at the Salomons Memorial viewpoint? (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Verdict
If it's an unfiltered all-round riding experience that you're after the Merida Scultura Disc 10K-E road bike shouldn't be ignored - it's a climber's dream. Add to that its stealthy appearance, nimble handling characteristics and responsive chassis and it easily finds itself on the podium as far as the best lightweight bikes are concerned.
Yes, it's showing its age now if you consider de rigueur aero-clad appearances of its contemporaries but it's still equipped with the necessary attributes to keep it competitive and relevant - regardless of the terrain at hand.
At £7,900, the Scultura 10K-E still represents a premium purchase but considering the heftier pricepoints of similarly specced bikes dominating the segment, there's no doubting the value the Scultura offers in spades.
Aaron was the Tech Editor Cyclingnews between July 2019 and June 2022. He was born and raised in South Africa, where he completed his BA honours at the University of Cape Town before embarking on a career in journalism. Throughout this career, Aaron has spent almost two decades writing about bikes, cars, and anything else with wheels. Prior to joining the Cyclingnews team, his experience spanned a stint as Gear & Digital editor of Bicycling magazine, as well as a time at TopCar as Associate Editor.
Now based in the UK's Surrey Hills, Aaron's life revolves around bikes. He's a competitive racer, Stravaholic, and Zwift enthusiast. He’s twice ridden the Cape Epic, completed the Haute Route Alps, and represented South Africa in the 2022 Zwift eSports World Championships.
