Weight 9.06kg Frame CF3 Carbon Fork CF3 Carbon Gears SRAM Force AXS (10-36t, 46/33t) Brakes SRAM Force AXS Wheels Merida Team GR30 Finishing kit FSA SMR ACR stem, Merida expert GRII bar, Merida Team SL seatpost, Prologo Scratch M5 AGX saddle, Continental Terra Speed Protection 35c tyres
MERIDA’S SCULTURA ENDURANCE was one of the stars of 2023’s Bike of the Year test, and a finalist for the overall title, a close rival to the winning Vitus Venon Evo. Merida has now taken their Endurance design and given it a gravel makeover, similar to the Venon, which means a change in contact points, wheels and tyres. The frameset is beautifully finished, with aero-shaped seat- and down-tubes plus slender seatstays that give a little vibration-damping flex. Brake hoses are routed through the bar, stem and head-tube for a clean look.
With a claimed weight of 1,124g (medium frame), it’s not the lightest endurance platform around but it is light for a gravel-ready bike. The only issue with the GR 8000 is the tyre clearance – 35mm is generous for an endurance bike, but not for a gravel bike. In comparison, Giant’s Defy has 38mm and Specialized’s all-road biased Roubaix has 40mm.
Adding it up
The Endurance GR geometry is all about all-day comfort, compared to the Scultura’s long and low racing set-up. My XL test bike has a tall 629mm stack, 36mm taller than the Scultura, and the 397mm reach is 11mm shorter. The long wheelbase (1,026mm) should add stability too. Merida has kept the head angle at a fairly racy 73.5° and a parallel seat angle brings an efficient pedalling position.
The GR 8000 tops the GR line-up and its equipment offers huge value compared to rivals. Force AXS is the latest version of SRAM’s impressive second-tier wireless groupset. It offers exemplary shifting and a new front derailleur that shifts smoother and faster than the previous model – even the premium Red AXS group (on the far pricier Defy) doesn’t have it yet. The tuneable Force brakes
The Good
Exceptional value for money; great handling; smooth ride
The Bad
Limited tyre clearance
offer power and control. SRAM’s AXS ecosystem, with its app-based tuning, checking and ride recording, really does showcase everything good about electronic wireless drivetrains, and thanks to the fluid-damper built into the rear derailleur, it’s as smooth running on gravel as it is on tarmac.
Up front, Merida’s well-shaped aluminium bar has a compact drop with a sub
