Merida Speeder is reborn as a flat-bar gravel bike with 50mm clearance

Merida has redesigned the Speeder, but says it has retained the bike’s simplicity and versatility. Previously a fitness hybrid bike, the new Speeder increases the tyre clearance to 50mm from 35mm, equipping it for use as a flat-bar gravel bike, as well as for commuting duties on poor surfaces. Prices start at £800 / €900.

There are step-through and classic frames, the latter now with an increased slope to the top tube, and there are two frame grades.

The AL-A frame used in the top-spec, £1,500, Speeder 500 has a more finished look with smoothed welds and is equipped with a carbon fork that’s shared with the Silex II drop-bar gravel bike. The AL-C frame used for the Speeder 300, 200 and 100 is less finished to keep the bike prices down and these specs are fitted with an alloy fork.

The Speeder 500 frame has smooth welds and there’s cable routing into the front of the head tube.

Other changes include a narrower 27.2mm seatpost for a smoother ride and a slacker head tube angle, now 71 degrees for all but the XS frame, for off-road stability. 

With the specced 45mm tyres, the Speeder can also be fitted with mudguards for all-weather use. Although no specs come with these, Merida will sell a Speeder EQ kit, which you can purchase separately to add mudguards, a rear rack and a frame lock mounting point. 

Lower-spec frames have less weld smoothing and are fitted with an alloy fork.

In keeping with the gravel orientation, most specs are now 1x and there’s a collection of bag mounts, with bolts on the fork legs of the Merida 500, as well as the underside of the rear of the top tube for all specs. 

The top-spec bike has a mixed SRAM 12-speed groupset, while other specs are Shimano-equipped, with 11-speed or 9-speed CUES options, as well as the less frequently seen 8-speed Essa. 

All specs come with hydraulic disc brakes and 23mm internal-width wheels to support the wider tyres.

Merida Speeder specs and prices
The top-spec Speeder 500 has a mixed SRAM drivetrain and a carbon fork with bag mounts.

The new Speeder will be available in four models, in top-tube and step-through variants. There are five men’s sizes, from XS to XL, as well as XS, S and M women’s sizes.

Merida Speeder 500

Frame: Speeder AL-A IV
Fork: Silex II CF2 carbon
Groupset: SRAM Apex XPLR 12-speed mechanical / Eagle shifters / Rival crankset
Gearing: 42T, 11-44T
Wheelset: Merida Expert SL III on Joytech hubs
Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Allroad 45mm
Brakes: Tektro Orion M6020 hydraulic disc
SRP: £1,500 / €1,699

Merida Speeder 300

Frame: Speeder AL-C IV
Fork: Speeder AL
Groupset: Shimano CUES U6000 11-speed mechanical / Merida Expert TR II crankset / SunRace cassette
Gearing: 42T, 10-50T
Wheelset: Merida Comp SL III on Shimano hubs
Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Comp 45mm
Brakes: Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc
SRP: £1,000 / €1,150

Merida Speeder 200

Frame: Speeder AL-C IV
Fork: Speeder AL
Groupset: Shimano CUES U4000 9-speed mechanical / SunRace cassette
Gearing: 40/26T, 11-36T
Wheelset: Merida Comp SL II on Shimano hubs
Tyres: Kenda Piedmont 45mm
Brakes: Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc
SRP: £850 / €975

Merida Speeder 100

Frame: Speeder AL-C IV
Fork: Speeder AL
Groupset: Shimano Essa U2000 8-speed mechanical 
Gearing: 40T, 11-45T
Wheelset: Merida Comp SL II on Shimano hubs
Tyres: Kenda Piedmont 45mm
Brakes: Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc
SRP: £800 / €900