…close to perfection

The Bikeboard.at crew joined us at the launch of the new REACTO earlier this year, and after sharing their initial, very positive findings on the 5th generation of our aero bike (see details here), they took the opportunity to really put it to the test over the last four months and 1,500 km.

Carrying on where they left off after the camp, but with plenty of time on their hands, the testers took the REACTO 10K to their usual testing spots to test the descending, climbing, and flat-out speed characteristics of the bike, and not just once, but over and over again.

Starting with the flats, the REACTO 10K, featuring the latest Reynolds wheels, really left its mark. The wheels were unfazed by also driving the bike forward, “delivering incredible forward push” when the wind came sideways but slightly from behind onto the rims. That, paired with the detailed tube shaping and perfect system integration, made “efficiency and stability go hand in hand”, delivering, in their opinion, not just a super-capable aero bike but a hugely versatile road bike; “once again the aero missile impressively proved its all-round abilities”.    

Looking at the climbing ability, the REACTO once again impressed with its efficient yet comfortable position, well-chosen specification and low overall weight.

And finally, the descending, where the geometry of the REACTO really comes into play. “The bottom line is handling that's both lively and precise - nothing gets twitchy here, whether you're out of the saddle on a climb or hitting 80 km/h on a descent”, so the comments from the Bikeboard test team.

Their final verdict:
“Really, though, it's 2026, and the 2027 Merida Reacto is a revelation - no more, no less. The four-month, roughly 1,500-kilometre long-term review confirmed exactly what the Merida guys told us in Spain: the Reacto isn't just an aerodynamic weapon that's earned its place in the World Tour, but thanks to its surprising comfort, a genuine all-purpose weapon too. As a whole package, it's thoroughly coherent, and bar two small niggles, close to perfection.”

To read the very detailed and highly relevant review that puts the REACTO in countless 'real-life' situations, please click here.  

It is available in multiple languages, and it might help you decide whether the REACTO could be not just your next aero bike, but your next road bike.

For the full specifications and frame features of the new REACTO 10K, please click the link underneath DISCOVER THE BIKE.

To find out more about the bike, including key features, R&D and design thinking, as well as the intended use, please check the micro page here.

To see the complete REACTO range, please click here.

Note: The bike tested was the 2027 REACTO 10K.