Taking its name from our first step into the road/gravel crossover world, the MISSION, and incorporating the cyclocross race-derived genes of the MISSION CX, our new gravel race bike will continue our history of making bikes that are fast on any surface.
Since we joined the gravel riding world more than eight years ago with the launch of the SILEX, gravel (and multi-surface) riding has come a long way. When our SILEX was launched, it was very much focused on adventure riding, bikepacking, and any kind of mountain-bike-inspired off-road gravel riding. And while it clearly demonstrated its race potential by winning the 2023 Gravel World Championship, it remains the ideal choice for gravel enthusiasts who prioritize off-road capability over ultimate high-speed race performance.
To cater to the more speed-oriented gravel riders out there, including the riders of Team Bahrain Victorious, we created the SCULTURA ENDURANCE GR, a gravel adaptation of our test and award-winning endurance road bike. However, we always had the long-term aim of bringing a gravel race-dedicated machine to market, which is predestined to be taken to the start line and give multi-surface enthusiasts a fast, low-drag ‘do-it-all‘ bike.
Welcome to the new MISSION.
FEATURES:
LIGHTWEIGHT CARBON FRAME. PERFORMANCE-READY.
Are you a MISSION rider or a rider on a MISSION? Either way, our MISSION is aimed at the more performance-oriented rider, most likely with a strong interest in ‘one day’ or fast-paced gravel racing rather than bikepacking and multi-day long-distance gravel events. They may also be looking for a hugely capable multi-surface bike that brings real off-road performance reserves to the table without saying goodbye to its road bike liveliness. With a clear performance orientation, our MISSION is only available with a lightweight CF4 level carbon frame, providing the perfect combination of weight, strength, and stiffness, but in five different specification levels to give the MISSION customers real options.
UDH COMPATIBLE. MAXIMUM DRIVETRAIN FLEXIBILITY
To ensure the MISSION offers maximum drivetrain compatibility, even for ‘mullet’ drivetrains (a combination of road and MTB drivetrains) or complete MTB drivetrains, our frames are UDH compatible.
TEAM SL GR1P COCKPIT. GRAVEL CONTROL, AERO SPEED.
MERIDA TEAM SL GR1P cockpit: Based on the widely used one-piece carbon cockpit that can be found on the REACTO, SCULTURA, and SCULTURA ENDURANCE, the GR ‘gravel’ version offers a wider flare and more gravel-oriented shape to improve control on rough surfaces while maintaining its aero focus and cable integration options. The MERIDA TEAM SL GR1P cockpit is available on the 7000, 9000, and 10K models.
DISC COOLER. POWERFUL, CONSISTENT BRAKING.
DISC COOLER: By now a staple in our MTB and road range, the MERIDA DISC COOLERS help the braking-generated heat to dissipate faster and more efficiently, thus keeping braking powerful and consistent, even on long and steep descents. To further increase the braking power, 180 mm front and rear discs can be fitted.
“Compared to the SILEX, the MISSION feels more playful and carries strong road bike DNA. Our goal was to make it direct, agile, and fast, and we achieved that. While very responsive, it still retains much of the off-road ability the SILEX is known for, performing impressively on rough terrain and descents. It may feel too agile at first, but the handling and road-bike-like position deliver fun and speed. For me, the MISSION combines the agility of a racing bike with versatile usability, making it ideal for gravel events or daily rides.”
– JENS STEINSBERGER, PRODUCT MANAGER
The focus of the MISSION was to create a gravel race-ready bike purpose-made for the rising popularity of gravel races and events such as the UCI Gravel World Championship and UCI Gravel World Series, providing both gravel enthusiasts and Team Bahrain Victorious with a fast, responsive, and off-road capable machine. But the MISSION can do more. It is also a highly capable mixed-surface bike, which can hold its own on tarmac as well as off it, thanks to its balanced yet sporty geometry and lightweight, as well as its sprint-ready carbon frame.
Our new MISSION truly embodies its ‘fast on any surface’ intentions. It is a gravel race bike that takes key geometry and frame elements from the SCULTURA ENDURANCE and the SILEX, sprinkles them with a heavy dose of road racing DNA to deliver a fast and responsive ride on pretty much any surface. From fast-paced gravel races to tarmac-based chaingang outings, the MISSION delivers. Up to 40 mm tire clearance offers scope for wider gravel racing tires or large volume road tires, and its low weight of around 7.6 kg of the 10K model makes it fly up the hills, keeps it super responsive, and catapults it out of corners.
The MISSION’s built-in storage compartment (G.U.T.) improves the accessibility and organization of crucial mid-race nutrition and spares, further enhancing the efficiency when every second counts. A storage compartment in the down tube, accessible via a Fidlock hatch, that provides space for spare tubes, tools, or any other riding or racing essentials, all neatly stored in a custom-made bag to prevent rattling on rough surfaces. G.U.T. stands for ‘Gear, Useful Things‘.
Being strongly influenced by the SCULTURA ENDURANCE, and our work with the SCULTURA, key elements of the MISSION tube profiles provide small aerodynamic advantages, particularly when combined with our TEAM SL GR1P one-piece carbon cockpit. This focus on aerodynamics sets the MISSION apart from its gravel cousin, the SILEX.
As sub-categories such as aero, endurance, gravel, etc. develop and form their own category, bikes become more specific to give riders exactly what they are looking for. Our new MISSION bridges the gap between our SCULTURA ENDURANCE on the one hand and the SILEX on the other. There are key factors where this is evident, such as tire clearance and geometry.
“Even with today’s modern manufacturing processes, designing a new frame is never arbitrary. The MISSION’s form reflects its purpose: sleek, aerodynamic tubes and sharp edges emphasize its racing DNA. A notable feature is the integrated G.U.T. storage in the down tube, which keeps essentials neatly packed away yet easily accessible. The frame combines precision with a clear identity, balancing efficiency with off-road ability. To me, the MISSION embodies progressive engineering and fun: it’s a bike that looks fast, feels fast, and inspires confidence wherever you ride.”
– TOBIAS SAALFRANK, FRAME DESIGNER
In terms of tire clearance, the new MISSION can accommodate gravel-specific tires up to 40 mm, compared to the 35 mm of the SCULTURA ENDURANCE and the 45 mm of the SILEX. We see this as the ideal sweet spot between ample tire clearance for high-speed off-road use and the sleek silhouette we all know from the world of road racing.
While the ability to run larger-volume tires that offer comfort, grip, and increased off-road capability is important, it is also the geometry that has a significant effect on how the bike performs in certain situations. To stay true to its road DNA and retain a measure of the sharp handling and snappy acceleration handed down by the SCULTURA ENDURANCE, but also to make it more off-road capable, the MISSION’s geometry once again sits between the SCULTURA ENDURANCE and the SILEX.
Its 72˚ head angle gives more control on rough surfaces without becoming sluggish. Similarly, the 391 mm reach keeps the bike sporty and agile on any surface. In addition, the stack height of just 569 mm compared to 584 mm on the SCULTURA ENDURANCE and 607 mm on the SILEX shows the more race-oriented position, ideal for gravel racing and fast multi-surface sessions. Finally, the low bottom bracket gives the MISSION enhanced stability and control, in particular away from tarmac roads. It gives the rider the feeling that they are sitting ‘in the bike’ rather than on top of it, which massively improves the handling, stability, and therefore confidence on technical sections and descents, due to the low center of gravity.
Finally, the ability to seamlessly fit 1x or 2x drivetrains gives the rider more flexibility to find their preferred set-up for whatever riding or racing style they want to focus on. Our MISSION is very much designed with the new 13-speed XPLR group sets from SRAM in mind, which are featured on the 6000, 9000, and 10K models and offer off-road proven shifting performance, low weight, extensive gear range, and simplicity. These models are ideal for more off-road-oriented riders, while the Shimano 2x-equipped 4000 and 7000 offer an even wider gear range, making them slightly more user-friendly for extended all-road sessions. Our MISSION frame can also accommodate 2x road group sets, which was an important consideration when developing the concept. This is particularly important for multi-surface riders or dedicated UCI-style gravel racers seeking the all-important close gear spacing only a dedicated 2x road groupset can offer.
“I have been riding and racing the Mission for almost a year. While it makes rather an unassuming impression at first, I have fallen in love with it over time. On tight and twisty courses, it feels agile and responsive, accelerating instantly out of corners. Its geometry makes you feel ‘in the bike’, providing stability and confidence on rough terrain and descents. As well as being impressive on gravel, it also shines on tarmac, riding like a road bike with extra comfort. The new cockpit adds control and comfort, making it easy to change hand positions during long rides or intense efforts.”
– LUKAS EISELE, RACER
Local Availability
The Merida Mission 4000, 6000, 7000, 9000, and Mission 10K will be available locally, with the 4000 and 7000 expected in-store by mid-February. Follow Merida Africa on Facebook and Instagram for stock and pricing updates.
The MISSION 10K has won the 2026 Design & Innovation Award!
“For anyone looking for a single bike to ride both on the road and gravel, MERIDA presents the brand-new MISSION 10K. This bike is aimed at ambitious riders who want to combine road speed with the versatility of gravel. At its heart is a lightweight carbon frame with a distinctly road-inspired geometry and clearance for tyres up to 40 mm wide, blending gravel race DNA with genuine all-road capability. The matching MERIDA cockpit impresses with excellent ergonomics, low weight, and aerodynamic performance, while the integrated mudguard mounts broaden its range of applications – from fast commutes to rainy gravel rides. The design is deliberately understated. A high-quality dark blue paint job and clean lines highlight the bike’s sporty character without looking over the top. That’s exactly why the jury has named the MERIDA MISSION 10K a versatile all-rounder that delivers top-level performance in both gravel racing and all-road riding, bridging two dropbar worlds with one bike.”
To find out more about the coveted Design & Innovation Award, please visit the Design & Innovation Award website.
