The 4.63 kg Merida Scultura Superlite LTD
The skunkworks at 99Bikes Mile End have put together an insanely light Merida Scultura Superlite LTD. It's an uncompromising mix of parts from some of the world's most gravity resistant component makers. Bask in its weeniness, be humbled by its silly numbers, and immediately start listing your children on eBay.
Words & Images - James Raison
We aren't worthy.
The heart of this bike is the Merida Scultura 9000 frame. Merida claim it's the world's lightest production frame at 680 grams, just edging out the 690 gram Trek Emonda. Buyers be advised, no sitting nonchalantly on the top tube!
Sometimes there just aren't enough eggplant emojis...
Crankset is an outrageously good-looking THM Clavicula SE with Praxis Works chainrings. The cranks come in at 297 grams for the compact version. That's just silly... Chain is a KMC X11SL.
So much carbon.
Tyre/rim combo is Tune's Skyliner Tubular with a set of Tufo Elite Jet tyres. Tune claim their Skyliner weighs... wait for it... 870 grams for the set. I've eaten pizzas heavier than that.... and I'm a bonebag cyclist.
That's not many teeth on the SRAM Red cassette, but how many do you need on a 4.63kg bike?
The rear hub is a Tune Mag150 - 164g, and front Mig45 hub comes in at 46g. Skewers are Tune, spokes are Sapim CX-Super.
Oooooh, padding! How luxurious.
Tune's Re4mer saddle sits atop an AX Lightness DAEDALUS post. Combined weight for saddle and post? 167 grams. COMBINED WEIGHT.
No, those aren't cable ties, it's the seatpost clamp.
Possibly my favourite part of this parade of carbon ridiculousness is the Tune Wurger Skyline. It weighs 4.5 grams. Ermagherd...
The rest:
- Groupset: Sram Red 11, except for the direct mount Shimano Dura Ace brake mounted under the bottom bracket.
- Handlebars: AX Lightness 4200 Ergo
- Stem: AX Lightness RIGID 6 - worth mentioning this costs around $800 AUD.
What are your thoughts on this? Carbon masterpiece? Ridiculous indulgence? Let us know in the comment below.
