NEW TECHNICAL FEATURES

The fastest way on off-road terrain

The natal hour of CC racing can not be identified clearly. However, it is certain that road racers started to compete also beyond paved roads at the beginning of the 20th century. Meanwhile, the former winter training of some crazy cyclists at the French Riviera has been emerging as an own sports discipline with own heroes. But since these hair-raising off-road competitions began approximately 100 years ago, the CC character has changed a lot: The only slightly modified road bikes of the early days have turned into an own category full of independent technologies. Good to know that MERIDA takes CC bike development very seriously – as seriously as the heroes of this discipline perform in the saddle!

COMPLEX REQUIREMENTS

Modern cross bikes represent complex requirements: On the one hand, they have to be lightweight enough to provide good climbing even on steepest ascents – or to allow easy shouldering without wasting precious energy. On the other, cross machines must be rugged enough: In contrast to MTBs, they lack suspension elements otherwise damping hard impacts before the latter reach the frame. A great challenge for frame designers – no matter if aluminium or carbon are used as base materials. In addition, CC athletes demand stiff bikes for effective transformation of their laboriously trained pedal power. But at the same time, the rough ride also requires adequate “buffering capacities”. Last but not least, the CC-typical “cantilever brake stutter” should be reduced to the max (especially at the front wheel) to maximize a CC bike’s downhill performance.

The MERIDA R & D experts have taken these requirements into account by upgrading and enlarging the CYCLO CROSS series for 2011. Stunning result: Our CYCLO CROSS CF which outperforms all expectations!

CYCLO CROSS AT ITS BEST

Already the organic top tube shape demonstrates our R & D specialists’ outstanding CC knowledge: A specifically designed tunnel “hides” the rearward cables under a removable cover plate – a guarantee for extremely comfortable shouldering. But in contrast to real internal routing, the CYCLO CROSS cables are always accessible for quick maintenance – a great plus when dust and mud take their continuous toll!

In addition, our CYCLO CROSS CF represents a perfect symbiosis between stiffness and damping qualities. Together with the BB30 bottom bracket, the mighty 1.5” steerer provides brilliant handling precision and powerful propulsion. Thanks to FLEX STAY technology, the seat and chain stays especially absorb high-frequency surface vibrations for effective protection of the pilot’s musculature.

However, the customized full-carbon fork remains the most outstanding feature of our MERIDA CYCLO CROSS CF – due to an almost impossible combination of stiffness and flexibility: Along the upper fork section between crown and brake bosses, extreme stiffness eliminates the dreaded “brake stutter” by blocking all flex tendencies. Contrariwise, the soft fork ends grant perfect steering control and controlled drifting performance.

For all those favouring fast off-road runs – MERIDA CYCLO CROSS 2011!