Team Bahrain Victorious put the fifth generation Scultura thoroughly through its paces, winning mountain top stages of the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana before the bike was even launched.
Gen 5 keeps the Scultura's fabled lightweight, agility and rider comfort focus and even manages to improve on both measures.
The Scultura now incorporates learnings from the Reacto in terms of aerodynamics; they now share the same race proven geometry.
Improving weight, comfort and aerodynamics requires plenty of engineering ingenuity. Round tubes are lighter than aero profiled tubes, fatter tyres are more comfortable but less aerodynamic. There are always compromises to be made.
The new Scultura is the most aerodynamic ever and shows outstanding compliance, providing class-leading rider comfort. The marketing blurb suggests this helps keep the body fresh for the final sprint or ascent. A couple of mountain top, grand tour stage victories underline that point quite well!
SPECIFICATION -
FRAME - SCULTURA CF3 V, 700x30C max wheelsize
FORK - SCULTURA CF3 Disc
BRAKES - Shimano Ultegra, Hydraulic Disc
ROTORS - Shimano MT800, 160mm
BRAKE LEVER - Shimano Ultegra
HEADSET - FSA ACR
HANDLEBAR - MERIDA EXPERT SL
HANDLEBAR STEM - FSA SMR ACR
GRIP - One-Touch
DERAILLEUR (F) - Shimano Ultegra
DERAILLEUR (R) - Shimano Ultegra
SHIFTERS - Shimano Ultegra Disc
SEAT POST - MERIDA EXPERT CC
SEAT CLAMP - MERIDA EXPERT
SADDLE - MERIDA EXPERT SL
CHAIN - KMC X11
CRANK - Shimano Ultegra
FREEWHEEL - Shimano CS-R7000
BOTTOM BRACKET - SM-BB71-41B, Pressfit 86.5
WHEELSET - Fulcrum Racing 800 DB
TYRES - Continental Grand Sport Race, 700x28C
AXLES - MERIDA EXPERT SL
MAX. WEIGHT - 120 kg