THE NEW MISSION

Taking its name from our first step into the road/gravel crossover world, the MISSION, and incorporating the cyclocross race-derived genes of the MISSION CX, our new gravel race bike will continue our history of making bikes that are fast on any surface. Since we joined the gravel riding world more than eight years ago with the launch of the SILEX, gravel (and multi-surface) riding has come a long way.

As sub-categories such as aero, endurance, gravel etc develop and form their own category, bikes become more specific to give riders exactly what they are looking for. Our new MISSION bridges the gap between our SCULTURA ENDURANCE on the one hand and the SILEX on the other. There are key factors where this is evident, such as tyre clearance and geometry.

While the ability to run larger-volume tyres that offer comfort, grip, and increased off-road capability is important, it is also the geometry that has a significant effect on how the bike performs in certain situations. To stay true to its road DNA and retain a measure of the sharp handling and snappy acceleration handed down by the SCULTURA ENDURANCE, but also to make it more off-road capable, the MISSION’s geometry once again sits between the SCULTURA ENDURANCE and the SILEX.

Its 72˚ head angle gives more control on rough surfaces without becoming sluggish. Similarly, the 391 mm reach keeps the bike sporty and agile on any surface. In addition, the stack height of just 569 mm compared to 584 mm on the SCULTURA ENDURANCE and 607 mm on the SILEX shows the more race-oriented position, ideal for gravel racing and fast multi-surface sessions. Finally, the low bottom bracket gives the MISSION enhanced stability and control, in particular away from tarmac roads. It gives the rider the feeling that they are sitting ‘in the bike’ rather than on top of it, which massively improves the handling, stability and therefore confidence on technical sections and descents, due to the low centre of gravity.  

The focus of the MISSION was to create a gravel race-ready bike purpose-made for the rising popularity of gravel races and events such as the UCI Gravel World Championship and UCI Gravel World Series, providing both gravel enthusiasts and Team Bahrain Victorious with a fast, responsive and off-road capable machine. But the MISSION can do more. It is also a highly capable mixed-surface bike, which can hold its own on tarmac as well as off it, thanks to its balanced yet sporty geometry and lightweight, as well as its sprint-ready carbon frame.  

MERIDA TEAM SL GR1P cockpit: Based on the widely used one-piece carbon cockpit that can be found on the REACTO, SCULTURA and SCULTURA ENDURANCE, the GR ‘gravel’ version offers a wider flare and more gravel-oriented shape to improve control on rough surfaces while maintaining its aero focus and cable integration options. The MERIDA TEAM SL GR1P cockpit is available on the 7000, 9000 and 10K models.

Our new MISSION truly embodies its ‘fast on any surface’ intentions. It is a gravel race bike that takes key geometry and frame elements from the SCULTURA ENDURANCE and the SILEX, sprinkles them with a heavy dose of road racing DNA to deliver a fast and responsive ride on pretty much any surface. From fast-paced gravel races to tarmac-based chaingang outings, the MISSION delivers. Up to 40 mm tyre clearance offers scope for wider gravel racing tyres or large volume road tyres, and its low weight of around 7.6 kg of the 10K model makes it fly up the hills, keeps it super responsive and catapults it out of corners. The MISSION’s built-in storage compartment (G.U.T.) improves the accessibility and organisation of crucial mid-race nutrition and spares, further enhancing the efficiency when every second counts. Finally, the ability to seamlessly fit 1x or 2x drivetrains gives the rider more flexibility to find their preferred set-up for whatever riding or racing style they want to focus on. Welcome to your MISSION - Fast on any surface.