At the top of the endurance range sits the 9000, and the clearest difference is up front: a fully integrated carbon cockpit, with a one-piece carbon stem and a Team SL 1P carbon handlebar, and the shift and brake lines disappearing through the headset for a genuinely clean front end.

The frame and fork are CF3 carbon with Nano Matrix resin in the layup for impact resistance, a 142 x 12mm rear axle, BB86 pressfit bottom bracket and a fully integrated seat clamp. Geometry is unchanged from the rest of the platform, which is the point: a longer head tube for an upright, sustainable position, a slacker head angle and a slightly longer wheelbase for calm handling, and room for 35c tyres or 32c with mudguards.

Reynolds AR 46 DB carbon wheels are 46mm deep with a 21mm internal rim width on Centerlock hubs, and they arrive tubeless ready with the tape and valves included. Continental GP5000 AllSeason TR tyres in 32c are the right call for riding through a British winter as well as a summer.

Shifting is Shimano Ultegra Di2, 2 x 12, with an 11-34 cassette and 50-34 chainset, and braking is Ultegra hydraulic disc with the rear caliper flat mounted onto CNC machined aluminium Disc Cooler fins. The seatpost is carbon, and the Prologo Scratch M5 saddle includes a minitool.

Features

• CF3 carbon frame and fork with Nano Matrix resin for improved impact resistance
• Fully integrated carbon cockpit: one-piece carbon stem and Team SL 1P carbon bar
• Shimano Ultegra Di2 2 x 12 electronic shifting, 11-34 cassette and 50-34 chainset
• Shimano Ultegra hydraulic disc brakes, rear caliper flat mounted onto Disc Cooler fins
• Reynolds AR 46 DB carbon wheels, 46mm deep, tubeless ready with tape and valves included
• Continental GP5000 AllSeason TR 32c folding tyres
• Carbon Team SL II seatpost, Prologo Scratch M5 saddle with a Merida minitool
• Clearance for 35c tyres, or 32c with mudguards fitted