“With previous models, the design took a back seat in favour of the bike’s all-round performance. The edges and radii were kept subtle due to the focus on weight. Now, in the fifth generation, no compromises have been made! New manufacturing processes enable us to maintain a low weight while speaking a distinctive design language.“

“The highly dynamic design of the new model stems primarily from the interplay of large, sail-like surfaces, such as those on the downtube and head tube, which are connected by slim, delicately designed cross-sections. Examples include the top tube and the lower section of the seat dome. This reduces the weight in certain areas while also creating an extremely dynamic, vibrant object. In a way, it is reminiscent of a yacht with masts, rigging and sails.“

“The recurring 'V' design element that can be found in many details, such as the wheel arch on the fork and the connection of the seat stays, creates a physically uniform overall picture and forms the connecting link in the new REACTOs. Last but not least, the design, with its striking edges, creates an almost prismatic frame, allowing the paintwork to truly shine and make the bike’s colours pop!“

The most uncompromising aero configuration

Wind tunnel 196 watts (Tour Magazine wind tunnel test)
Weight 7.4 kg (size M)
Drivetrain 1x drivetrain with Classified hub gearing (full 2x range)
Wheels/Tyres DT SWISS ARC wheels – Continental Aero 111/Grand Prix 5000S TR 29/30 mm tyres
Power Meter Rotor Power Meter 
Brakes 160 mm rotors front and rear

The ultimate all-round aero performer

Wind tunnel 202 watts (Tour Magazine wind tunnel test)
Weight 7.2 kg (size M)
Aero Balance Most balanced aerodynamic performance (front and side wind)
Stability Excellent stability and crosswind handling
Power Meter SRAM Power Meter
Brakes 160 mm rotors front and rear

The lightest REACTO in the lineup

Wind tunnel 203 watts (down from 211 watts of the REACTO IV TEAM)
Weight 7.1 kg (size M)
Power Meter Shimano Power Meter
Brakes 160 mm rotors front and rear

Carbon fibre layup is an art form that requires our engineers to blend the right combination of stiffness and flex. Balancing the contrasting needs of comfort and efficiency is no easy task, but by using knowledge gained over years of carbon fibre manufacture and the efforts of our in-house testers and world-class athletes, we’ve found what we feel is the correct balance in each area of the bike. 

The new REACTO is available in two frame levels (soon there will be three – more details to follow): CF5 and CF3. Both the CF5 and CF3 frames share the same race-proven geometry and offer identical aerodynamic performance. The only difference is in the carbon lay-up, with the CF3 offering a more affordable option than the CF5.

Stiffness levels are identical across both, to ensure stable, confident handling. Our CF5-equipped models feature the new TEAM CW cockpit, and this can also be mounted to the CF3 level frame, which will feature other one-piece or two-piece cockpit options. Our stiffness targets for Head tube stiffness and Bottom bracket stiffness for the CF3 and CF5 were 90 and 60, but our design not only met those targets but substantially exceeded them.

Cockpits, particularly one-piece designs, have a significant impact on the aerodynamic performance of a road bike. While our current MERIDA SL 1P cockpit, combined with our fully integrated cable routing, offers outstanding aerodynamics, weight savings and control, we felt that an updated design could further improve the REACTO’s ability to slice through the air. 

A lower frontal area of bike and rider can help reduce drag massively, so we created a narrower cockpit design that allowed a more compact and aerodynamic rider position. Our track testing produced impressive aerodynamic gains while delivering the comfort and control our riders wanted, but in January 2026 the UCI introduced new safety regulations. That meant we and our partner VISION had to restart the development process in order to create a compliant cockpit. However, with the design work for the non-compliant bars complete, we can still offer cockpit options for riders not participating in UCI-sanctioned events, giving the option of an even faster, more aerodynamic position. 
 

Given the cockpit’s crucial impact on the bike’s overall aerodynamics, we ran countless CFD simulations, testing and retesting the various designs we created. The result is the new TEAM CW 1P cockpit, which features an aerodynamically optimised 'Seagull Wing' design that minimises airflow separation and drag. Its V-shape and foil profile maximise efficiency across all wind conditions, while its ergonomic design ensures comfort even on the most demanding rides. With the less progressive, UCI-conform version (345/380 mm width), we achieved 197 watts. Using the most progressive sizes (305/380 mm width), which are not UCI-conform, the aerodynamic drag is reduced by a further 1 watt, making it our fastest specification for non-UCI performance racing.

Modern bikes can sometimes lose sight of the serviceability and maintainability. This is exacerbated on aero bikes, where parts of the bike are increasingly hidden within the frame to reduce drag. While today’s electronic and wireless groupsets have drastically reduced the time needed for potential re-cabling, other factors, such as the use of standardised parts and easy access, can also contribute to the time saved. With this in mind, we have moved the Di2 battery from the seat post to the bottom bracket area, which allows us to create a slimmer, lower-drag seat post, and it also provides slightly easier access, without the need to remove key parts of the bike.