Second generation of the Merida Silex.

The original Silex bike was designed from the ground up with mountain bike-inspired geometry, featuring a long top tube, long head tube, and short stem for responsive and stable off-road handling. At launch, it was praised as Merida's most comfortable and versatile bike, well-received by both consumers and press.

As gravel riding evolved into both racing and adventure styles, the Silex stayed true to its adventurous spirit. The new model builds on the original's strengths with a slacker head angle and larger tires for better off-road capability. All frames come with five bottle mounts, and the aluminum version includes rack mounts for versatile carrying options, internal routing for a dropper post, and compatibility with dynamo systems.

Before its official release, Matej Mohoric won the 2023 Gravel World Championships on the Silex, showcasing its off-road performance.

The second-generation design addresses earlier aesthetic concerns by featuring a new fork and shorter head tube, allowing a suspension fork upgrade without altering geometry, and giving it a sleeker look.

Most models (except the 200) now come with powerful hydraulic disc brakes and 180mm rotors, with calipers mounted on the chainstay for better braking force distribution. Carbon models include cooling fins, reducing brake temperatures by up to 35% - especially useful when carrying heavy loads.