Merida Reacto 9000 vs Trek Madone SLR 9 Gen 8: £5,249 Apart, What Differs
The Merida Reacto 9000 and the Trek Madone SLR 9 Gen 8 are both carbon aero road bikes with Shimano electronic shifting and deep carbon wheels. They sit £5,249 apart on Tredz prices. We have not ridden either, so this compares what Tredz lists.
Side by side
| Merida Reacto 9000 (2026) | Trek Madone SLR 9 Gen 8 (2027) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price at Tredz, 24 October 2026 | £4,250 (RRP £6,250) | From £9,499 (RRP £12,000) |
| Frame | CF5 IV carbon | 900 Series OCLV carbon, IsoFlow |
| Groupset | Shimano Ultegra Di2, 12-speed | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200, 2×12 |
| Brakes | Ultegra hydraulic discs, CL800 rotors | Dura-Ace hydraulic discs |
| Wheels | Reynolds BL60 Expert DB, 60 mm | Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 |
| Tyres | Continental GP5000S TR | Bontrager RSL RD 700x28mm |
| Cockpit | Vision Metron 5D integrated | Trek Aero RSL integrated |
| Maximum tyre size listed | 30 mm | Not stated by Tredz |
What the extra money buys
On the listed specs, the Madone adds a Dura-Ace groupset in place of Ultegra, and Bontrager Aeolus RSL wheels in place of Reynolds BL60 wheels. Both groupsets are 12-speed electronic Shimano; Tredz lists the Madone’s as wireless. The Madone also lists IsoFlow and integrated RSL bottles. We cannot tell you how much of that shows up as speed or comfort without testing.
What Merida claims
Merida says the Reacto needs 209 W to hold 45 km/h. That is the manufacturer’s figure, and Tredz does not list a comparable one for the Madone, so it does not settle the comparison.
Which suits a triathlete
- Budget: the Reacto 9000 costs £5,249 less at the listed prices, with Ultegra Di2 that most age-groupers will not outgrow.
- Racing rules: neither lists aerobar mounts, so both suit training and draft-legal racing. Check your race rules before fitting clip-ons.
Where to buy
Merida Reacto 9000 — £4,250 at Tredz, correct at time of writing, 24 October 2026.
Check Merida Reacto 9000 price on Tredz
Trek Madone SLR 9 Gen 8 — from £9,499 at Tredz, correct at time of writing, 24 October 2026.
Check Trek Madone SLR 9 Gen 8 price on Tredz
Related guides
See also our best aero road bikes for triathlon training guide, the Merida Reacto 9000 page and the Trek Madone SLR 9 Gen 8 page.
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