Merida Silex 200 vs Specialized Diverge 3 Alloy - Shimano CUES
Both are gravel bikes at a similar price. Here is what actually separates them.
The short answer
For a typical all-round rider the Specialized Diverge 3 Alloy - Shimano CUES comes out ahead (71% against 66%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.
What actually separates them
- Price
- The Merida Silex 200 is £99 cheaper — £1,200 against £1,299.
- Weight
- The Specialized Diverge 3 Alloy - Shimano CUES is 1.5kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
- Riding position
- The Specialized Diverge 3 Alloy - Shimano CUES sits you more upright (1.53 stack-to-reach against 1.47). The Merida Silex 200 is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
- Tyre clearance
- The Specialized Diverge 3 Alloy - Shimano CUES takes 47mm tyres against 45mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
Side by side
| Spec | Silex 200 | Diverge 3 Alloy - Shimano CUES |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,200 | £1,299 |
| Weight | 12.0 kg | 10.5 kg |
| Frame | alloy | alloy |
| Groupset | Shimano Essa 1x8 mechanical | Shimano CUES U6000 2x10 mechanical |
| Stack / reach | 1.47 | 1.53 |
| Tyre clearance | 45 mm | 47 mm |
| Lowest gear | 24 in | 22 in |
| Mudguard mounts | Yes | Yes |
| Comfort | 65 | 75 |
| Speed | 17 | 17 |
| Climbing | 41 | 51 |
| Value | 38 | 39 |
Neither might be the right answer
This page assumes an average rider. Tell us how you actually ride and we will rank these two against everything else at the price.
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