Silex 700Over time gravel has evolved, splitting in to racing and adventure. Silex remains all about the road less travelled, the spirit of adventure and camaraderie. The new Mission platform takes on the role of racing. That's not to say the Silex was a slouch off road, a week before its launch, Matej Mohoric won the 2023 Gravel World Championships! The Silex concept was a ground up design that rather than taking a road or cyclocross bike and re jigging the

More of everything except unnecessary weight

smoother and more adaptable to variable conditions and terrain

Suspension: Hardtail

or 32c if you fit mudguards)

The Scultura is the go to all-rounder

If only the best is good enough and you value aerodynamic efficiency

The classic race hardtail remains one of the purest tools for the job

a wide-range 11-speed Shimano drivetrain and no-nonsense suspension from Marzocchi get the job done without fuss

Taking the tested and award-winning full carbon frame that won Bikeradar's Enduro Bike of the Year 2023 and pairing it with Fox's benchmark 38 fork and X2 shock brings top level performance to any enduro track

Merida have used plenty of neat touches such as routing shifting and brake cables through the headset to declutter the cockpit

rip and rally any enduro trail you fancy

even if you're not flush with cash