Sonny Colbrelli's Tour de France Merida Reacto - Gallery
Aero everything for punchy Italian in Tour de France debut
This article originally appeared on BikeRadar
Sonny Colbrelli has achieved three top 10s so far, with one stage remaining, in his debut Tour de France, equalling his best showing among his six Grand Tour appearances.
The 27-year-old Italian joined Bahrain-Merida for the 2017 season, which is his first at WorldTour level.
In a distinctive vinyl wrap, Colbrelli debuted the 2018 Merida Reacto at the Critérium du Dauphiné in June. Released officially a few days before the Grand Depart in Düsseldorf, the 2018 Merida Reacto sees a raft of changes from its predecessor.
Riding on Reacto CF4 geometry, Colbrelli unsurprisingly opts for the more aggressive geometry option of the model. The two geometry options are available in both disc and caliper versions, with all four models of the frame approved by the UCI.
Updated seatstays to the rear of the frame are reduced in size and feature a sharper angle to the rear dropouts, resulting in greater comfort and claimed aero improvements.
The front end of the bike sees more aero optimisation. The head cluster of the bike is designed to be paired with Vision's Metron 5D integrated handlebar and stem cockpit, although Colbrelli runs an updated version of the Metron 5D, the 6D.
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While the Metron 5D system runs a 10-degree forward curve on the bars for a more ergonomic fit, the Metron 6D runs at zero degrees, a straight system that reduces frontal surface area.
Merida has the Metron 6D exclusively until April 2018, when the handlebar system will become available to buy as a standalone product.
Bahrain-Merida's bikes are paired with Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 groupsets, and power meter equipped cranksets provided by SRM.
Complete bike specifications
Frameset: Merida Reacto 3 CF4 Rim
Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100
Brake/shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150
Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace
Crankset: SRM Origin, 53/39t chainrings, 172.5mm crank length
Wheels: Fulcrum Speed 55t
Tyres: Continental Competition ALX 25mm tubular
Handlebars: Vision Metro 6D integrated cockpit
Stem: Vision Metro 6D integrated cockpit
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000
Saddle: Prologo Scratch 2 CPC Airing NACK in custom Bahrain-Merida colours
Seatpost: Merida Reacto S-Flex
Bottle cages: Elite Vico Carbon
Computer: SRM PC-8 in custom Bahrain Merida colours (not photographed)
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