Merida Mission 10K test: Ultralight race gravel bike with road bike feeling

With only four events under its belt, it is probably too early to speak of reliable statistics. Nevertheless, Merida has been one of the most successful brands at the world championships in the gravel discipline so far. In 2022, the Slovenian Matej Mohorič won on the Silex modellast October on a previously unknown Merida gravel bike, he won the in Maastricht Bronze. The fast World Championship course was the first official appearance of the new Mission, a gravel bike uncompromisingly designed for racing and speed, according to the manufacturer.

For connoisseurs of the brand, the name should ring a bell, as it is based on the former Mission CX cyclocross bike. According to Merida, however, this is the only thing it has in common with the former off-road athlete. Technically, the new development is now more orientated towards the All-road racer Scultura Endurance GR. In the market environment, this is one of the comparatively sporty representatives of its genre, but on the Mission you sit even more stretched out. Compared to the Adventure gravel bike Silexwhich remains in Merida's programme, the handlebars are several centimetres lower, while the seat length is somewhat more compact. On the first ride, we inevitably get the impression that we are not sitting on a gravel bike, but on a relatively wide-tyred road racer.

Almost like a road racing bike

This is not only due to the riding position, which encourages a crouched aero position on the narrow carbon cockpit. We are also surprised at how quickly the bike takes off on the first few kilometres out of town. The tyres, which are narrow and barely profiled for off-road conditions, roll excellently on asphalt. In the top version we tested, exquisitely equipped with carbon rims and lightweight 1x13 gears from SRAM, the Mission also weighs an incredible 7.6 kilograms, which is much closer to a sporty road bike than a typical gravel bike. There are only a few off-road racers on the market that reach this weight range.

As a result, the bike accelerates noticeably better and responds more directly to steering commands than other gravel bikes. On loose surfaces, the riding fun continues as long as it doesn't get too rough or muddy. Gravel motorways are a real joy with the explosively responsive Mission, but even on winding trails, the bike's low weight alone puts it ahead of most gravel bikes that are more suitable for off-road riding. With its low centre of gravity and short wheelbase, it steers nimbly through tight bends where other gravel bikes seem rather bulky - a certain kinship to the crosser is noticeable.

Tyres with limits

However, difficult terrain then increasingly becomes a problem. With a lot of weight on the front wheel, rough sections really affect the arms and the suspension volume of the 40-millimetre tyres is limited. On very steep, technical descents, the bike feels top-heavy and lacks a good overview. As soon as it gets wet and slippery, the fast tyres reach their limits. On a steep climb, we have to suffer a lot because the 44-tooth chainring doesn't allow for a gear reduction and the rear wheel smears on loose gravel. The deeper we get into the terrain, the more we leave the predestined territory of the Mission.

There is not much scope to make the Merida more suitable for off-road riding: the maximum tyre width is already exhausted with the standard tyres, only a grippier profile could be fitted - a tribute to the short wheelbase and the resulting playful handling. Merida also justifies this decision with compatibility with standard road groupsets.

Sporty, but suitable for long distances

In our opinion, the ideal habitat lies somewhere between tarmac roads and well-surfaced forest and field paths. The Merida is an almost ideal compromise for those who switch between the two. This is because the bike is much more suitable for off-road riding than typical all-road bikes, but still offers a comparable road bike feeling on the road. Despite the very sporty orientation, the concept is by no means limited, as there are additional features that are rather unusual for competition use, but with which the bike can score points with an adventurous clientele: A large storage compartment in the down tube and fastening eyelets for frame bags on and under the top tube make the bike suitable for touring.

In our opinion, the ideal habitat lies somewhere between tarmac roads and well-surfaced forest and field paths. The Merida is an almost ideal compromise for those who switch between the two.

The cheaper versions even come with a mini-tool under the saddle as standard, which is probably omitted from the top-of-the-range version for weight reasons. Drivetrains with double cranks can be fitted without any problems, and the wider range is also available ex works in other equipment variants. The fork is also one of the few bike models that allows the use of a 180 millimetre brake disc, which can easily withstand extreme loads. Another Merida speciality is the additional cooling of the brake mounts on the frame and fork.

Completely unusual for this bike category are the mounts for fixed mudguards, which however reduce the tyre clearance from 40 to 35 millimetres. With these prerequisites, the Mission is not only predestined for off-road racing, but also for long journeys with heavy luggage on bad roads - as long as you can cope with the sporty riding position.

Wide range of models

The Mission range comprises five models between 2299 and 8999 euros. There are no differences in carbon quality, which is why the Mission should always be one of the lightest bikes alongside comparably equipped competitors. The three versions equipped with SRAM drivetrains - the 10K, 9000 and 6000 - each use single drivetrains (Red XPLR, Force XPLR, Rival XPLR) with 1x13 ratios; the more affordable models come with slightly more mountain-friendly gear ratios than the top model in the test. The 7000 and 4000 models use Shimano double groupsets (GRX Di2, GRX 400) with traditional 2x12 gearing. Carbon wheels from Reynolds or Zipp are part of the package from the 7000 model upwards (4499 euros). Alternatively, the frame set is available for 2249 euros, which enables customised builds.

Merida Mission 10K: Test grade, price, geometry, equipment, measured values, advantages and disadvantages

• Price: 8999 Euro
• Weight: Complete wheel 7.6 kilos
• Info: www.merida-bikes.com
• Frame sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL
• TOUR grade: 1.9

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 505/560/137 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 584/384 millimetres/1.52
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 642/570 millimetres/1.13
• Wheelbase/caster: 1,010/64 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red AXS 1x13 (44, 10-44 t.) | Grade: 1.5
• Brakes: SRAM Red AXS(160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
• Tyres: Goodyear XPLR Slick 40 mm | Grade: 2.0
• Impellers: Zipp 303 XPLR SW
• Impeller weights: 1340/1759 grams (v./h.)

Measured values

• Weight of complete wheel: 7.6 kilos | Grade: 1.3
• Driving stability: 8.7 N/mm | Grade: 1.3
• Rear comfort: 162 N/mm | Grade: 2.7
• Comfort front: 106 N/mm | Grade: 3.0
• Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 50 N/mm | Grade: 2.7

Advantages

• Very light
• Fast tyres
• manoeuvrable driving behaviour
• Features suitable for touring

Disadvantages

• tightly translated
• Comparatively low tyre clearance