FRAME TECHNOLOGIES

When creating high-end aluminium frames, we use our proven PROLITE 66 (6066) aluminium, as it is incredibly light and durable. In addition, it works exceptionally well with our hydroforming technology, allowing us to create complex shapes, featuring triple butted wall thicknesses, an almost carbon-like appearance and the best possible stiffness-to-weight ratio. While lesser alloys might be cheaper, it is the ideal choice for high-performance bicycle frames.

To get the most out of an aluminium tube in terms of shape or varying wall thickness, we apply various forms of manipulation. The most complex but also the most effective is hydroforming, where an aluminium tube is inserted into a negative mould, and a hot emulsion of water and oil is forced through at pressure. The end result is a perfectly shaped aluminium tube that enables us to create beautifully crafted and lightweight aluminium frames.

By using a specific tube shape and careful design of the seat- and chainstay of our hardtail bikes, we enable them to work like flat leaf springs, absorbing surface bumps and reducing vibrations. This makes the rear end more comfortable, can improve power delivery and has a positive impact on rider fatigue. In particular, on performance bikes that are ridden over long distances and uneven surfaces, this can have a great effect on the overall riding performance and enjoyment.

Steering precision is vital to safe and confident handling, and the X-TAPER HEADTUBE allows us to significantly boost this precision. A larger headset diameter at the bottom paired with a smaller one at the top helps to deal with the strains modern riding and equipment can put on the headtube, all without adding unnecessary weight. It allows tapered forks to be fitted with ease and delivers precise and confidence-inspiring steering.

This is a process we use to give a nice flat finish to our welds instead of the scaled, 'stack of coins' effect TIG welded joints often have. The welder uses the welding torch to go over the joint twice, helping to smooth out the filler material. It takes a lot of skill to do this, but it delivers strong and smart-looking frames that have the appearance of a carbon fibre frame at first look.

On the majority of our frames, we run the gear and brake cables and hoses through the frame. The cables enter and exit the frame through smooth sockets, or we use one of our other systems like SMART ENTRY or WIRE PORT to be routed through. Running the cables inside the frame protects them from the elements, gives a clean and neat look and can offer aerodynamic advantages.

DOWN TUBE EXIT is a feature seen on some of our frames with internally routed cables. By slightly overlapping the downtube where it connects to the bottom bracket, it leaves a small space that allows cables to exit easily. This means they are easily accessible for routine maintenance or replacement, but it prevents excessive movement and noise that can cause wear and distraction.

Many of our frames offer internal cable routing, where the gear and brake cables are run through the frame for maximum protection and a clean look. Some internally run cables can rattle when riding over uneven surfaces, but our SMART ENTRY system prevents this from happening. Cables, housings and brake hoses are clamped under tension to prevent noisy cable movement. All inlets are completely interchangeable to deal with any kind of cable or wire.

Shimano's Di2 electronic shifting system offers fast, smooth and reliable shifting. In particular, in the road world, it has proven itself as the primary choice when top performance is at the top of the agenda. With that in mind, we have a broad selection of performance road frames that are Di2 READY and can accommodate the electrical cable, battery and other little tweaks that the system requires.

A single-pivot rear suspension system optimised for XC riding and 1x drivetrains. A super light (80 g) carbon rocker and linkage system create a light, efficient rear end, totally eliminating pedal-bob.

NANO MATRIX CARBON is a special kind of carbon fibre where we add extremely tiny, nano-scale particles to the resin that binds the individual carbon fibres together. These then work on a molecular level to protect them from damage. It’s so effective that it can actually increase the finished carbon fibre’s impact resistance by up to 40%, allowing us to build stronger and lighter composite frames that result in a faster and tougher bike.

This is a method we use to manufacture our carbon fibre frames. First, the carbon fibre that makes up the frame is laid around special formers. We then use a bladder to compress the layers against the outside of the frame mould, giving a smooth and wrinkle-free internal finish, removing any voids in between the layers of carbon that can cause potential weak points, resulting in a stronger, lighter frame.

We use a minimum of 6061 grade aluminium on all our bikes. It’s particularly well suited to being shaped with our hydroforming and technoforming processes, which allow us to vary the wall thickness to create double-butted tubing and complex frame shapes. It’s also an alloy that welds easily, and once it has been carefully heat treated to maximise strength, it means we can create strong and lightweight bicycle frames for you to enjoy.

Manipulating the tube shape and thickness greatly impacts the appearance, weight and functionality of our aluminium frames. One technology that allows us to do that is TECHNO FORMING, where plain aluminium tubes get mechanically formed by using an external form and an internal metal core. The result, beautifully shaped tubes with varying wall thickness, ready to be used to create our technoformed aluminium frames.

Being able to turn your bike into an all-weather commuter that has mudguards and other fittings can be a real plus, in particular when riding on wet and perhaps muddy roads and tracks on a regular basis. To make fitting easy, some of our bikes are F-MOUNT equipped. These integrated fittings mounts make adding mudguards fast and simple. Please note that some bikes require model-specific mudguards.

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Integrated mount on the chainstay to fit a MERIDA kickstand (or any commercial kickstand).

Similar to our F-MOUNT, where various fixing points for mudguards are part of the frame offering, the C-MOUNT equipped bikes have the fixing points for a rear rack already integrated, making fitting fast, simple and reliable. The C-MOUNTS are an additional feature that improves the day-to-day versatility by adding loading capacity to your bike, ideal for commuting and shopping trips. Please note that some bikes require model-specific rear racks.

The e-bike motor mount has a sophisticated shape that is only possible to create with casting technology. Casting this piece allows us to create a complex yet lightweight shape that gives an extremely strong connection between the motor and the frame for improved performance and reliability. It also gives the bike and motor a smooth and cleanly integrated appearance.

This is a special kind of tube shape that helps reduce aerodynamic drag while also helping to reduce weight. It’s based around a teardrop profile that was originally developed in the aeronautical industry, but the rearmost portion of the profile is cut short. This reduces the amount of material needed to make the tube, but air still flows around it just as well, giving all the aerodynamic benefits but at a lower weight.

Our latest grade of aluminium (6016) enables super thin wall thicknesses whilst delivering amazing strength, ideal for demanding off-road riding and racing.

Used on our carbon fibre road and gravel bikes, DISC COOLER is a finned piece of forged aluminium that sits between the brake calliper and frame. The aluminium piece helps to draw heat from the braking system and radiates it away quickly. It reduces the temperatures by up to 35% and helps to keep your brakes working at their best for improved control and performance on long descents and under heavy braking.

A suspension system where the lower shock mount moves as well as the upper link, giving a supple and sensitive feel over bumps. This system allows our engineers to precisely manipulate the leverage ratio, giving ultimate control of the progression of the suspension so that a FLOAT LINK rear suspension system feels like it offers more wheel travel than the numbers alone suggest.

When every second counts, the smallest of details can make the difference between winning and losing, so we look at every aspect of our frames to make them as sleek as possible. By using a seat post clamping mechanism that secures the post with a wedge inside the frame itself, we minimise the turbulence and potential drag while keeping post height adjustment simple, giving a frame that is more aerodynamic and also better looking.

This is a feature on the seat post fitted to some of our most aerodynamic road and time trial bikes. While we pay careful attention to delivering class-leading drag reduction, having a high-performance bike is only good if the rider can perform at their best too. Our FLIP FLOP HEAD allows the seat to be easily moved forwards or backwards with the clamp block to optimise the seat angle and, therefore, rider position and performance.

A special, removable piece fitted to the seat stay bridge that can be attached to the bike to allow full mudguards to be fitted easily for protection from water and dirt, but also completely removed to increase tyre clearance and give a clean, sleek look to the bike when full guards are no longer needed. This gives the bike the benefit of full mudguards when required but no unsightly mounts when they are not.

This system means you only need a single tool to tighten important bolts, making it easy to secure them while out on the trail and also making routine maintenance faster and simpler. The bolts have a specially shaped head on one end that fits into a matching recess in the frame, preventing rotation. That means there is no hardware bonded into the frame itself, so damaged threads or bolts can be easily replaced.

The INTERNAL BLOCK SYSTEM limits the amount of steering lock that can be applied in either direction, preventing the fork crown from hitting the frame downtube and causing damage in a crash. It does this by having a tab mounted in the frame that, along with a special adaptor on the fork, limits the steering lock in either direction. This is backed up by rubber bumpers on the frame itself, keeping both frame and fork safe.

MERIDA designed headsets that enable all control cables from the handlebar to enter the frame through the headset cover, creating a clean and uncluttered look, allowing for a lighter, stronger and more aerodynamic frame structure than with conventional cable ports. Depending on the model, the cables are run completely internally (including the bar and stem) or semi-integrated, where the cables enter the frame underneath the stem.