MeridaREACTO CF3
The CF3 version of Merida's fifth-generation REACTO aero bike. Merida says the CF3 frame has the same shapes, geometry, aero performance and stiffness as the top CF5 frame, with a cheaper carbon lay-up that weighs about 1,185 g instead of 950 g (size M). It carries the cheaper builds, from the Ultegra Di2 8000 down to a mechanical 105 4000, with 32 mm tyre clearance, the zero-offset S-FLEX seatpost and a standard press-fit bottom bracket.
- From
- —
- Builds
- 5
- Sizes
- 7
- Frame weight
- 1,185 g2.61 lb
Our verdict
No overall score: there's no complete-bike price to rate
The fifth-generation REACTO's aero frame and geometry at lower prices, with one-piece cockpits and 60 mm carbon wheels on the 6000 and up, and even a mechanical 105 build. The CF3 lay-up adds about 235 g over the CF5, stock bar widths are fixed by size, and only the Rival 7000 has a power meter.
Scored Nov 2026
- + Aero-first design
AI-drafted from the specs on this page and reviewed before publishing. Scores are relative to every bike in the catalog when they were given, so they drop as newer bikes and parts raise the bar.
- Aero
- 88/100
- Frame
- 78/100
- Components
- 74/100
- Fit
- 76/100
- Practicality
- 76/100
Aero claims and front-end integration
Carbon grade, weight and warranty
Groupset, wheels and power meter
Sizes and adjustment range
Travel, standard parts, servicing
Bike duel
Frame & platform
Frame & fork
- Frame material
- Carbon (CF3)
- Fork material
- Carbon (MERIDA REACTO CF3 V DISC)
- Frame weight
- 1,185 g2.61 lb
- Weight measured on
- Approx., size M (Merida)
- Max system weight
- 120 kg264.6 lb
- Frame sizes
- 3XS, XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL
- Colours
- Rainbow Purple/Black, Slate Grey/Black, Halo Green/Pearl White, Passion Red (Slate Grey), Silk Black (Gunmetal Grey), Starfield Purple (Slate Grey), Pearl/Blue (Teal), Purple (White), Halo Green (Slate Grey), Mineral Gold (Black) (depending on build)
- Also available as
- REACTO CF5 V: same geometry, aero performance and stiffness with a lighter carbon lay-up (approx. 950 g frame in size M)
Compatibility & standards
- Brake type
- Disc
- Wheel size
- 700c
- Max tire width
- 32 mm
- Bottom bracket standard
- PF86.5 (BB86.5 press-fit)
- Front axle
- 12x100 thru-axle
- Rear axle
- 12x142 thru-axle
- Mechanical shifting possible
- Yes
- 1x compatible
- Yes
- Front derailleur mount
- Removable front derailleur mount
- Cable routing
- Internal
- Electronic battery location
- Bottom bracket area
Bottles & storage
- Bottle mounts
- 2
Fit & adjustability
- Cockpit
- One-piece bar and stem on the 8000 (Vision Metron 5D ACR EVO), 7000 and 6000 (MERIDA TEAM SL 1P); separate alloy bar and stem on the 5000 and 4000
- Seatpost type
- MERIDA REACTO V S-FLEX carbon aero post, 0 mm setback, with a flex cut-out; clamp at the back of the seat tube
- Fit notes
- Stock bar width is 380 mm (3XS-S), 400 mm (M-L) or 420 mm (XL), with stems from 90 to 120 mm by size. The frame also takes other MERIDA and FSA ACR cockpits.
Aerodynamics
- Manufacturer aero claims
- Merida says the CF3 frame matches the CF5 frame's aero performance and stiffness
- Tube profile
- Large sail-like surfaces on the head tube and down tube joined by slim sections; deeper, thinner fork legs; the down tube sits further from the front wheel
Travel, maintenance & warranty
- Headset bearings
- 1.5 in upper and lower bearings (FSA ACR on the 8000, MERIDA TEAM SL on the other builds)
- Derailleur hanger
- Proprietary (Merida DH-067 for Shimano direct mount, DH-068 for other road derailleurs)
- Maintenance
- Standard PF86.5 bottom bracket, FSA ACR headset and 12 mm thru-axles. The Di2 battery sits in the bottom bracket area, reachable without removing major parts. The seatpost clamp is at the back of the seat tube, and the power meter cadence magnet sits under the chain-suck protector.
- Proprietary parts
- S-FLEX seatpost and clamp, one-piece cockpit (on the 8000, 7000 and 6000), derailleur hanger, disc coolers
- Sold via
- Through Merida dealers
Builds & components
Highlighted rows differ between builds. Green marks the best value.
REACTO 8000 | REACTO 7000 | REACTO 6000 | REACTO 5000 | REACTO 4000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | |||||
| Type | Complete bike | Complete bike | Complete bike | Complete bike | Complete bike |
| Notes | Ultegra Di2 on the CF3 frame, no power meter. Colours: Rainbow Purple/Black and Slate Grey/Black. | SRAM Rival AXS with a power meter crankset on the CF3 frame. Colours: Halo Green/Pearl White and Slate Grey/Black. | 105 Di2 with Vision SC 60 carbon wheels. Colours: Passion Red (Slate Grey), Silk Black (Gunmetal Grey) and Starfield Purple (Slate Grey). | 105 Di2 with alloy Vision Team 35 wheels and an alloy bar and stem. Colours: Pearl/Blue (Teal), Silk Black (Gunmetal Grey), Purple (White) and Halo Green (Slate Grey). | The only mechanical build: 105 with alloy wheels on Shimano hubs and an alloy bar and stem. Colours: Mineral Gold (Black) and Silk Black (Gunmetal Grey). |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Groupset | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano 105 Di2 R7100 | Shimano 105 Di2 R7100 | Shimano 105 R7100 |
| Launched | 2021 · current generation | 2025 · current generation | 2022 · current generation | 2022 · current generation | 2023 · current generation |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Electronic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Drivetrain | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x |
| Shifters | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano 105 Di2 | Shimano 105 Di2 | Shimano 105 |
| Crankset | Shimano Ultegra | SRAM Rival AXS Power Meter | Shimano 105 R7100 | Shimano 105 R7100 | Shimano 105 R7100 |
| Chainrings | 52/36 | 48/35 | 52/36 | 52/36 | 52/36 |
| Crank lengths available | 160 mm (3XS), 165 mm (XXS-XS), 170 mm (S-M), 172.5 mm (L-XL) | 160 mm (3XS), 165 mm (XXS-XS), 170 mm (S-M), 172.5 mm (L-XL) | 160 mm (3XS), 165 mm (XXS-XS), 170 mm (S-M), 172.5 mm (L-XL) | 160 mm (3XS), 165 mm (XXS-XS), 170 mm (S-M), 172.5 mm (L-XL) | 160 mm (3XS), 165 mm (XXS-XS), 170 mm (S-M), 172.5 mm (L-XL) |
| Power meter | — | SRAM Rival AXS Power Meter | — | — | — |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano SM-BB71-41B | SRAM DUB Pressfit | Shimano SM-BB71-41B | Shimano SM-BB71-41B | Shimano SM-BB71-41B |
| Standard | Pressfit 86.5 | Pressfit 86.5 | Pressfit 86.5 | Pressfit 86.5 | Pressfit 86.5 |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano 105 Di2 | Shimano 105 Di2 | Shimano 105 |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano 105 Di2 | Shimano 105 Di2 | Shimano 105 |
| Cassette | Shimano Ultegra R8101 | SRAM Rival XG-1250 D1 | Shimano 105 R7101 | Shimano 105 R7101 | Shimano 105 R7101 |
| Range | 11-30 | 10-36 | 11-34 | 11-34 | 11-34 |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Chain | Shimano CN-M6100 | SRAM Rival E1 | Shimano CN-M6100 | Shimano CN-M6100 | Shimano CN-M6100 |
| Brakes | |||||
| Brake levers | Shimano Ultegra | — | Shimano 105 | Shimano 105 | Shimano 105 |
| Brake calipers | Shimano Ultegra | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano 105 | Shimano 105 | Shimano 105 |
| Type | Hydraulic, 2-piston | Hydraulic, 2-piston | Hydraulic, 2-piston | Hydraulic, 2-piston | Hydraulic, 2-piston |
| Rotors | Shimano RT-CL800 | SRAM Paceline | Shimano RT-CL700 | Shimano RT64 | Shimano RT54 |
| Front rotor | 160 mm | 160 mm | 160 mm | 160 mm | 160 mm |
| Rear rotor | 160 mm | 160 mm | 160 mm | 160 mm | 160 mm |
| Mount | Center Lock | — | — | — | — |
| Wheels & tires | |||||
| Wheelset | Reynolds AR 60 DB | Vision SC 60 i23 | Vision SC 60 i23 | Vision Team 35 Disc | Merida Expert CW |
| Front rim depth | 60 mm | 60 mm | 60 mm | 35 mm | 30 mm |
| Rear rim depth | 60 mm | 60 mm | 60 mm | 35 mm | 30 mm |
| Internal rim width | 21 mm | 23 mm | 23 mm | 19 mm | 19 mm |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Tubeless ready | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| Hubs | — | — | — | — | Shimano HB-TC500 |
| Notes | Center Lock | Center Lock | Center Lock | Center Lock; tubeless tape and valves not included | Center Lock; tubeless tape and valves not included |
| Tires | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR | Continental Grand Prix TR | Continental Grand Prix TR | Continental Grand Prix |
| Tire width | 28 mm | 28 mm | 28 mm | 28 mm | 28 mm |
| Type | Tubeless ready, folding | Tubeless ready, folding | Tubeless ready, folding | Tubeless ready, folding | Folding |
| Cockpit | |||||
| Handlebar | Vision Metron 5D ACR EVO | Merida TEAM SL 1P | Merida TEAM SL 1P | Merida Expert CW | Merida Expert CW |
| Type | One-piece bar and stem | One-piece bar and stem | One-piece bar and stem | — | — |
| Integrated stem | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — |
| Widths available | 380 mm (3XS-S), 400 mm (M-L), 420 mm (XL) | 380 mm (3XS-S), 400 mm (M-L), 420 mm (XL) | 380 mm (3XS-S), 400 mm (M-L), 420 mm (XL) | 380 mm (3XS-S), 400 mm (M-L), 420 mm (XL) | 380 mm (3XS-S), 400 mm (M-L), 420 mm (XL) |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Notes | Stem length by size: 90 mm (3XS-XS), 100 mm (S), 110 mm (M-L), 120 mm (XL) | Stem length by size: 90 mm (3XS-XS), 100 mm (S), 110 mm (M-L), 120 mm (XL); includes the MERIDA Smart Mount | Stem length by size: 90 mm (3XS-XS), 100 mm (S), 110 mm (M-L), 120 mm (XL); includes the MERIDA Smart Mount | — | — |
| Stem | — | — | — | Merida Expert SL 2PII | Merida Expert SL 2PII |
| Stem length | — | — | — | 90 mm (3XS-XS), 100 mm (S), 110 mm (M-L), 120 mm (XL) | 90 mm (3XS-XS), 100 mm (S), 110 mm (M-L), 120 mm (XL) |
| Notes | — | — | — | Aluminium, -9° angle | Aluminium, -9° angle |
| Headset | FSA No.55R ACR | Merida TEAM SL | Merida TEAM SL | Merida TEAM SL | Merida TEAM SL |
| Saddle & seatpost | |||||
| Saddle | Prologo Scratch M5 | Prologo Akero RS PAS T2.0 | Prologo Akero RS PAS T2.0 | Prologo Akero RS PAS T2.0 | Prologo Akero RS PAS T2.0 |
| Seatpost | Merida REACTO V S-FLEX | Merida REACTO V S-FLEX | Merida REACTO V S-FLEX | Merida REACTO V S-FLEX | Merida REACTO V S-FLEX |
| Offset / setback | 0 mm setback | 0 mm setback | 0 mm setback | 0 mm setback | 0 mm setback |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon |
| Bar tape | Merida Road Expert | Merida Road Expert | Merida Road Expert | Merida Road Expert | Merida Road Expert |
Ownership checklist
2 of 4 known checks pass. Why these checks
- ✕
Threaded bottom bracket
PF86.5 (BB86.5 press-fit)
- ✕
UDH derailleur hanger
Proprietary (Merida DH-067 for Shimano direct mount, DH-068 for other road derailleurs)
- ✓
Standard 12×142 mm rear axle
12x142 thru-axle
- ✓
Works with mechanical shifting
REACTO CF3 geometry
The manufacturer uses the same geometry as the CF5 (Gen V).
| 3XS | XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 512 mm20.2″ | 517 mm20.4″ | 529 mm20.8″ | 542 mm21.3″ | 557 mm21.9″ | 571 mm22.5″ | 593 mm23.3″ |
| Reach | 373 mm14.7″ | 377 mm14.8″ | 384 mm15.1″ | 390 mm15.4″ | 395 mm15.6″ | 400 mm15.7″ | 409 mm16.1″ |
| Seat tube angle | 75.5° | 74.5° | 74° | 74° | 73.5° | 73° | 73° |
| Head tube angle | 70.5° | 70.5° | 72° | 72.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° | 74° |
| Head tube length | 100 mm3.9″ | 105 mm4.1″ | 112 mm4.4″ | 128 mm5″ | 140 mm5.5″ | 155 mm6.1″ | 175 mm6.9″ |
| Effective top tube | 506 mm19.9″ | 521 mm20.5″ | 535 mm21.1″ | 545 mm21.5″ | 560 mm22″ | 575 mm22.6″ | 590 mm23.2″ |
| Seat tube length | 440 mm17.3″ | 470 mm18.5″ | 500 mm19.7″ | 520 mm20.5″ | 540 mm21.3″ | 560 mm22″ | 590 mm23.2″ |
| Chainstay | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ |
| Wheelbase | 981 mm38.6″ | 987 mm38.9″ | 984 mm38.7″ | 992 mm39.1″ | 992 mm39.1″ | 1,002 mm39.4″ | 1,011 mm39.8″ |
| BB drop | 70 mm2.8″ | 70 mm2.8″ | 70 mm2.8″ | 66 mm2.6″ | 66 mm2.6″ | 66 mm2.6″ | 66 mm2.6″ |
| Fork length | 385 mm15.2″ | 385 mm15.2″ | 385 mm15.2″ | 385 mm15.2″ | 385 mm15.2″ | 385 mm15.2″ | 385 mm15.2″ |
| Fork offset | 45 mm1.8″ | 45 mm1.8″ | 45 mm1.8″ | 45 mm1.8″ | 45 mm1.8″ | 45 mm1.8″ | 45 mm1.8″ |
| Standover | 727 mm28.6″ | 746 mm29.4″ | 771 mm30.4″ | 792 mm31.2″ | 810 mm31.9″ | 826 mm32.5″ | 853 mm33.6″ |
| Stem length | 90 mm3.5″ | 90 mm3.5″ | 90 mm3.5″ | 100 mm3.9″ | 110 mm4.3″ | 110 mm4.3″ | 120 mm4.7″ |
| Handlebar width | 380 mm15″ | 380 mm15″ | 380 mm15″ | 380 mm15″ | 400 mm15.7″ | 400 mm15.7″ | 420 mm16.5″ |
Side view
Drawn to scale (how to read it).
How the geometry rides
The REACTO CF3 in size S against the middle size of 66 other bikes: tendencies from geometry, not a ride review (how to read this).
- Wheelbase992 mm39.1″
shortestlonger than 83% of 66 bikeslongest
Long wheelbase: tends to track straight and feel calm at speed.
- Chainstay410 mm16.1″
shortestlonger than 63% of 74 bikeslongest
Good to know
Versions
Merida builds the REACTO 8000, 7000, 6000, 5000 and 4000 on the CF3 V frame and the TEAM, ONE, 10K, PRO and 9000 on the CF5 V frame. It says the CF3 frame matches the CF5's aero performance and frame stiffness and only gives up a little weight.
SourceVersions
Merida's global and country sites don't publish prices for these builds, so no MSRP is recorded.
Source
REACTO CF3 FAQ
How much does the Merida REACTO CF3 weigh?+
The frame weighs 1,185 g (2.61 lb) (Approx., size M (Merida)).
What sizes does the Merida REACTO CF3 come in?+
7 sizes: 3XS, XXS, XS, S, M, L and XL.
What is the tire clearance of the Merida REACTO CF3?+
Up to 32 mm tires on 700c wheels.
Which groupsets are compatible with the Merida REACTO CF3?+
Mechanical shifting can be fitted. 1x drivetrains are supported. Bottom bracket: PF86.5 (BB86.5 press-fit).
What builds of the Merida REACTO CF3 are available?+
REACTO 8000: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100; REACTO 7000: SRAM Rival AXS E1; REACTO 6000: Shimano 105 Di2 R7100; REACTO 5000: Shimano 105 Di2 R7100; REACTO 4000: Shimano 105 R7100.
Is the Merida REACTO CF3 aerodynamic?+
Merida says the CF3 frame matches the CF5 frame's aero performance and stiffness
Sources
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/tag/reacto-44
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5930-8157/reacto-8000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5930-8142/reacto-8000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5931-8158/reacto-7000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5931-8143/reacto-7000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5933-8160/reacto-6000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5933-8145/reacto-6000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5933-8159/reacto-6000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5934-8165/reacto-5000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5934-8162/reacto-5000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5934-8163/reacto-5000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5934-8164/reacto-5000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5935-8166/reacto-4000
- https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/5935-8147/reacto-4000
Merida REACTO CF3 data last updated · How the data is checked ·