Electronic shifting arrives on the Scultura Endurance 5000. A full Shimano 105 Di2 groupset runs 2 x 12 with an 11-34 cassette and 50-34 chainset, so shifts stay consistent whatever the weather and there are no gear cables left to gum up over a winter.

The frame is the comfort-biased end of the road range rather than a racer. A taller head tube puts you in a more upright position, the head angle is slacker and the wheelbase slightly longer, and clearance stretches to 35c tyres (32c with mudguards) so you can take the edge off rough lanes with tyre volume instead of suspension.

CF3 carbon is used for both frame and fork, with Nano Matrix resin in the layup for impact resistance. The remaining lines route internally through the headset, the seat clamp is built into the frame, the rear axle is 142 x 12mm and the flat mount rear brake sits on CNC machined aluminium Disc Cooler fins to keep temperatures down on long descents.

Wheels are Merida Expert SL III alloy rims, 23mm internal and 26mm deep, on Shimano TC500 Centerlock hubs and tubeless ready, wrapped in Maxxis RE-FUSE 32c tyres. Braking is 105 hydraulic disc, the seatpost is carbon, and the Expert SL II saddle comes with a minitool tucked into it.

Features

• CF3 carbon frame and fork with Nano Matrix resin for improved impact resistance
• Shimano 105 Di2 2 x 12 electronic shifting, 11-34 cassette and 50-34 chainset
• Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes, rear caliper flat mounted onto Disc Cooler fins
• Endurance geometry with a taller head tube for a more upright position
• Tubeless-ready Merida Expert SL III alloy wheels, 26mm deep, on Shimano TC500 Centerlock hubs
• Maxxis RE-FUSE 32c tyres and a carbon Expert SL seatpost
• Expert SL II saddle with an integrated Merida minitool
• Clearance for 35c tyres, or 32c with mudguards fitted