Merida has selected Classified Cycling's Powershift hub as the centrepiece of its new Reacto ONE, the most aerodynamically optimised version of the Taiwanese manufacturer's latest aero road platform.
The bike, unveiled today, eliminates the front derailleur entirely in favour of a 1x drivetrain architecture built around Classified's electronically shifted two-speed rear hub.
The Reacto ONE sits at the top of a 10-bike Reacto lineup and is priced at £10,000 / €11,500.
Classified has been gently building its OEM portfolio over the last few years, having partnered with Ridley, 3T and Rose Bikes for off-the-shelf Classified hub setups. Merida's use with the Reacto marks another step into the world of high-end aero bikes, having initially been a closer fit with all-road options.
The Classified Powershift hub is a wireless, electronically actuated two-speed system housed inside the rear hub shell. It offers two internal ratios, a direct 1:1 and a 0.7 reduction, effectively replicating the role of a front derailleur without the external mechanical hardware. The system shifts in approximately 150 milliseconds and can operate under rider loads of up to 1,500 watts, according to Classified's data. Paired with a single rear derailleur and wide-range cassette, the hub delivers a total gear range of up to 530%.
For Merida, the appeal is the aerodynamic advantage of removing the front derailleur and its associated cabling clears airflow around the seat tube and bottom bracket area, two zones where turbulence typically costs watts on aero frames.
Jens Steinsberger, Merida's product manager, said the decision to specify Classified followed the company's expanded integration with Shimano Di2. "When Classified expanded its integration options, specifying the system was an immediate decision for us," Steinsberger said. "Classified's approach to drivetrain engineering opened up system-level possibilities that have led to our most aero set-up ever."
That integration, announced in mid-2025, allows the Powershift hub to be controlled directly from Shimano Di2 shift levers under the Japanese company's "Connected Partners" programme, removing the need for separate satellite buttons. Shifting commands pass wirelessly through Classified's Smart Thru Axle, which houses the system's battery and electronics.
Build and specification
The Reacto ONE uses Merida's top-tier CF5 carbon layup, with a claimed frame weight of approximately 950g in size M. The complete build, which includes a Rotor power meter and 160mm disc rotors, weighs around 7.4kg according to Merida's product page. Wheels are DT Swiss ARC 1100s, paired with a Continental Aero 111 front tyre and Grand Prix 5000S TR rear tyre in 29–30mm widths. Tyre clearance has been increased to accommodate up to 32mm rubber.
The cockpit is Merida's Team CW 1P carbon bar, a gull-wing design that Merida claims contributes around five watts of the total aero saving. The 380mm-wide version included on the Reacto ONE falls outside UCI handlebar regulations introduced in January 2026 for sanctioned racing, though it remains legal for consumer use. Wider options are also available for UCI-compliant racing.
The Reacto ONE is the latest OEM integration for Classified, a Belgian company founded in 2019 by former automotive powertrain engineers. The brand partnered with TRP in mid-2024 to launch the Vistar Powershift, a dedicated 1x groupset designed around the hub, and has attracted investment from former professionals including Tom Boonen and Philippe Gilbert.
Cover image credit: MERIDA Europe GmbH
