FIND THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
The best adventures normally start when the tarmac finishes.
The 2027 Merida SILEX 500 has been designed for riders who want the freedom to keep going.
Gravel tracks, bridleways, forest roads, towpaths, broken lanes, commuting, touring, bikepacking or simply disappearing for an entire day with no particular destination in mind – this is where the SILEX comes alive.
And the SILEX 500 has the specification to properly exploit what this brilliant chassis can do.
A quality aluminium frame is paired with a full carbon fork, SRAM Apex 1x12 gravel drivetrain, SRAM hydraulic disc brakes and big Maxxis tyres to create a hugely capable adventure bike without making the jump to an expensive carbon frameset.
For many riders, this could be all the gravel bike they'll ever need.
AWARD-WINNING SILEX DNA
The SILEX isn't a road bike that's simply been given bigger tyres.
Merida approached its design from the opposite direction.
The geometry takes inspiration from modern mountain bikes, combining a longer front end with a short stem and relaxed head angle.
The result?
Stability. Control. Confidence.
Exactly what you want when the smooth road disappears underneath you.
The latest generation took that philosophy even further – and independent testing has repeatedly praised the SILEX for its handling and versatility.
And there's some serious pedigree behind the platform.
Just before the second-generation SILEX was officially launched, Matej Mohorič rode the new SILEX to victory at the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships.
World Championship DNA in a bike you can ride to work on Monday.
We like that.
SRAM APEX 1x12 – SIMPLE, TOUGH & READY FOR GRAVEL
This is one of the big reasons we'd consider the SILEX 500 a real sweet spot in the range.
You get a SRAM Apex 1x12-speed gravel drivetrain.
No front derailleur.
No unnecessary complication.
Just 12 wide-ranging gears designed to deal with everything from fast sections to steep gravel climbs.
For adventure and off-road riding, there's a lot to like about 1x.
One shifter controls your gears, there's less clutter and fewer drivetrain components to worry about – leaving you to concentrate on where you're riding rather than what the bike is doing.
SRAM APEX HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES
Going off-road isn't just about having the gearing to get up the climbs.
You also need confidence coming back down.
The SILEX 500 features SRAM Apex hydraulic disc brakes, providing powerful, progressive braking and dependable control in changing conditions.
Whether it's a wet commute in December or a fast loose gravel descent in July, proper hydraulic braking is something you'll appreciate every time you pull the lever.
BIG TYRES. BIG CONFIDENCE.
The SILEX chassis provides clearance for tyres up to 700x45 mm.
And big gravel tyres can completely transform where you're prepared to take a drop-bar bike.
More volume can provide additional grip, comfort and control over broken and loose surfaces while allowing you to experiment with pressures and tyre choices to suit your riding.
Combined with the SILEX's MTB-inspired geometry, it gives the bike an almost mountain-bike-like confidence when the terrain gets rough.
FULL CARBON FORK
Up front you'll find a carbon SILEX fork.
It helps keep weight down while providing vibration absorption over rough surfaces and includes additional mounting points for carrying equipment.
Merida has also incorporated routing for a dynamo hub, opening up further possibilities for riders considering serious touring, bikepacking or year-round commuting.
The latest SILEX design is even compatible with an appropriate gravel suspension fork without compromising the bike's intended geometry.
LOAD IT UP & DISAPPEAR
The SILEX 500 doesn't just look adventurous.
It's designed to actually go adventuring.
Multiple mounting points allow you to configure the bike around the way you ride.
Bottles.
Bags.
Mudguards.
Luggage.
Rack.
Fork-mounted cargo.
Bikepacking equipment.
The aluminium SILEX frame gives you huge scope to turn the same bike from a fast weekend gravel machine into a practical commuter or loaded adventure bike.
Friday commute. Saturday gravel ride. Sunday bikepacking trip.
Same bike.
A BIKE THAT CAN EVOLVE WITH YOU
One of the things we particularly like about the SILEX platform is that you aren't locked into one type of riding.
Buy it as your first gravel bike and your riding might start with towpaths and easy tracks.
Six months later you might be tackling technical trails.
Then somebody suggests a bikepacking weekend.
Then a gravel event.
Then touring.
That's the beauty of a SILEX.
As your adventures get bigger, the bike is ready to go with you.
WHAT CAN YOU USE THE SILEX 500 FOR?
GRAVEL ADVENTURES
Exactly what it was made for.
BIKEPACKING
Load it up and disappear for a night, a weekend or considerably longer.
COMMUTING
Add mudguards and luggage and you've got a hugely capable year-round commuter.
TOURING
Stable geometry, luggage options and big tyres make an excellent combination for longer adventures.
WINTER RIDING
Hydraulic brakes, large tyre clearance and mudguard compatibility make the SILEX a brilliant winter option.
LEISURE & FITNESS
You don't need to be planning an expedition. It's equally happy simply heading out for a few hours and seeing where the ride takes you.
ALL-ROAD RIDING
Tarmac, broken lanes, towpaths, gravel and trails – stop worrying about what category the surface belongs to and just ride it.
WHY BUY YOUR MERIDA FROM THE ENDURANCE HUB?
WE DON'T JUST WANT TO SELL YOU A BIKE
We're passionate about Merida and we're working hard to make The Endurance Hub one of the premier destinations for Merida bikes in the North West.
But being a great Merida dealer isn't about having a logo above the door.
It's about what happens before, during and after you buy your bike.
When you collect your new Merida from The Endurance Hub, you'll benefit from:
FREE BIKE FIT & SETUP ON COLLECTION
Getting the right size is only the beginning.
We'll help set your new bike up around you, so you leave the shop ready to enjoy it rather than simply accepting whatever position it happened to arrive in.
FREE 6-WEEK SERVICE
Once you've put some miles into your new SILEX, bring it back to us.
We'll carry out your first service and make sure everything has bedded in and is working as it should.
PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SUPPORT
Our experienced workshop is here to keep your bike running properly long after you've bought it.
CONTINUED SUPPORT
Not sure what tyre pressures to run?
Thinking about going tubeless?
Want to start bikepacking?
Need mudguards, bags or accessories?
Thinking about upgrades?
Just ask us.
The support doesn't stop when you leave the shop.
WE'RE MORE THAN A BIKE SHOP
The clue is in the name.
The Endurance Hub.
We're building something much bigger than somewhere that simply sells bikes.
We're a cycling community where people can meet, ride, learn and enjoy being around others who share the same passion.
We organise road, gravel and MTB rides, workshops, demo opportunities and community events – and there's always the option of coffee and cake afterwards.
Experienced cyclist or completely new to riding – it doesn't matter.
Everyone is welcome.
Buying your bike from us doesn't just make you a customer.
It gives you a local team and cycling community that's there to help you get more from it.
SILEX 500 HIGHLIGHTS
• Award-winning aluminium SILEX frame
• Silk Moss Grey (River Clay) colourway
• Full carbon fork
• SRAM Apex 1x12-speed gravel drivetrain
• Wide-range gearing
• SRAM Apex hydraulic disc brakes
• Maxxis gravel tyres
• Reynolds components
• Up to 700x45 mm tyre clearance
• MTB-inspired geometry
• Relaxed head angle
• Multiple bottle and cargo mounts
• Rack mounting points
• Mudguard compatibility
• Internal dropper-post capability
• Dynamo system compatibility
• Gravel suspension fork compatible
• World Championship-proven SILEX platform
THE ENDURANCE HUB VERDICT
This could be one of the smartest buys in the 2027 SILEX range.
Why?
Because you're spending your money on the things that really matter.
You get Merida's excellent aluminium SILEX chassis and carbon fork, but the SILEX 500 then steps things up with SRAM Apex 1x12 gearing and SRAM hydraulic disc brakes.
That combination unlocks the potential of the frame.
Big 45 mm tyres, wide-range 1x gearing, hydraulic stopping power and the SILEX's incredibly stable geometry mean this is a bike you can buy for weekend gravel rides and end up taking considerably further.
You don't need carbon.
You don't need electronic gears.
You don't need a race bike.
Sometimes you just need a really good bike that's ready for almost anything.
That's exactly what we think the 2027 SILEX 500 is.