THE WORLD'S LIGHTEST BIKE, MERIDA NOVELTIES AND TESTS AT KIELCE BIKE-EXPO

Kielce also hosts the Mobile Test Centre one of the world's leading bicycle brands.

The world's lightest mass-produced bike will be exhibited from 29 September to 1 October at the Kielce Bike Expo. 4.56-kg Scultura Superlite LTD model and Merida's latest developments presented at the booth C-47. Attractions galore include the possibility of giving a train run to one of 30 high-end bicycles. They will be available at the Kielce Bike-Expo's Merida Mobile Test Centre. The models showcased in Kielce the visitors can try and test - Big.Nine Team or Scultura Team which have gained fame at the world's most important races.

The Merida Scultura Superlite LTD - the world's lightest mass-produced bike promises to be this year's trade-show real hit.  This low weight of 4,56-kg is owed to production methods of the 680-gram special-forms based frame. It takes up to 14 hours to create the frame; the process requires manual application of 400 carbon layers. The new technology allows you to manufacture a robust frame made of very thin pipes. Walls in Superlite LTD version are only 0.4 mm thick. Despite this, the frame is rigid and safe, which has been confirmed with appropriate tests and certificates. - The bike is fully operational and ready to ride - Patrick Laprell, the product manager responsible for the Merida road bikes describes Sculturze Superlite LTD. The record-breaking model is equipped with Tune Skyline wheels which has been three times used by the Tour de France winner - Chris Froome ​​when in the mountains.

The new Big.Nin presented at the KIELCE BIKE EXPO

One of the world's leading bike brands  will present in Kielce an overview the whole 2017's collection. Merida Big.Nine - a new version of the legendary wheels 29" hardtail will have its Polish première in Kielce. Team Model showcased in Kielce weighs only 8.5 kg. Supreme comfort, high rigidity, and even aerodynamics are the bike's main features. - All the changes introduced to the new model correspond with cross country trend - a cyclist and their bike are a whole. Rigid enough, with a slightly larger wheel base gives more stability on descents in jumps. Instantly you feel very comfortable, I'm very pleased with the bike  - the new version of Merida Big.Nine is described by  Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa  most acclaimed  MTB  professional. The modern frame geometry provides for a . perfect fusion with the bike.  Compared to its predecessor, the new Big.Nine has a noticeably longer reach, sharper S/T angle, a gentler frame head-tube angle and shorter stem. Changes in the geometry are accompanied with numerous innovative solutions utilisation. These include  30.9 mm seat post for supreme comfort. All combined with special top tube and chain-stay shape and the use flax-fibre interwoven in the carbon structure. Rigidity and acceleration of the première model have been enhanced with a new BB92 bottom-bracket standard which provides for significant benefits also in the new 148-mm hubs (Boost). It adds extra 6 mm width compared to traditional rear hubs for a flatter spokes angle and lateral rigidity. The use of Boost standard's shorter chainstay pipe improves the bike's agility. The lower pipe and the seat-post of the new Merida Big.Nine are like aerodynamically- optimized roadsters' tubes of Reacto and Scultura models. Lower air resistance is e competitive advantage in  MTB marathons.

"With or without discs?" everything about racing bikes 

Merida uses the  Kielce bike exhibition  to present its  Carbon Cyclo Cross 5000 bike  ready for the upcoming cross-country season and road racing Reacto 7000-E model with electric equipment. Expo stand C-47 abounds with accessories and tyres of all Merida Poland brands. Disc brakes on road bikes - one of the most controversial topics in the bicycle industry will also be discussed on the course of the expo. Merida organizes the  conference held under the banner of "With or without discs?"  which covers many aspects of disc brakes in Kielce in road bikes. This conference is held on August 29 at 12.00 in the exhibition hall's G1 Conference Room. The conference will be chaired by Patrick Laprell - Merida product manager responsible for road bikes.  - When I first heard that disc brakes had to be used in a professional pelethon I was a little apprehensive. When I had a trial ride with Scultura Disc  [Merida disc brake equipped modl - ed.], I changed my mind. I think discs give a great advantage. Reaction times are much shorter; this is important not only during races but also when you ride in traffic.  When you control your brakes you control your bike  - says Marko Kump one of Lampre-Merida team. The evolution of the opinion comes as no surprise to Patrick Laprell.  - As soon as people have the opportunity to take a ride on a road bike with disc brakes, they will find it difficult to fall back on classic race-bikes with caliper brakes.  He deeply believes in disc-brakes success in road bikes. - I think that year after year we will see increased sale of road bikes with disc brakes. Bicycle producers have already started new projects. I am sure that no one would invest in older technologies - explains Laprell. The conference held at the Kielce Bike Expo has been designed for its participants to make up their minds and decide whether "discs" are the right choice for road bikes.