Gravel riding has split into two camps over the last few years, and the Silex sits firmly on the adventure side of it - long days, mixed surfaces and the road less travelled. The 200 is the way in. Its Lite II aluminium frame carries the same MTB-inspired shape as the rest of the range, with a long top tube and head tube paired to a short stem, so the steering stays calm when the surface turns loose. Internal cable routing, five sets of bottle bosses and rack mounting points mean you can load it up for a weekend away.

The build keeps things simple and hard-wearing. Shimano's ESSA 1x8 drivetrain runs a 40 tooth chainring against an 11-45 cassette, which is a genuinely wide spread at this level, and braking comes from ESSA mechanical discs. The Maxxis Rambler 45mm tyres are wire bead rather than tubeless, but the Comp SL II rims are tubeless ready for when you want to make the switch. A full carbon fork takes some of the buzz out of longer stints, and frame clearance runs to 700 x 45c, or 42c with mudguards fitted.

Features

• Lite II 6066 triple butted aluminium frame with internal cable routing
• Silex II CF2 full carbon fork with tapered steerer
• MTB-derived gravel geometry: long front end, short stem
• Shimano ESSA 1x8 drivetrain, 40 tooth chainring with 11-45 cassette
• Shimano ESSA mechanical disc brakes
• Maxxis Rambler 45mm EXO tanwall tyres, 700x45C
• Merida Comp SL II tubeless ready rims, 23mm internal width, on Shimano TC500 hubs
• Five sets of bottle bosses plus rack mounting points
• Threaded bottom bracket and 142 x 12mm rear axle
• Clearance for 700 x 45c tyres, 42c with mudguards