De Rosa unveils the new Merak: where lightness meets stability

Some names endure through the decades without ever losing their identity. Merak is undoubtedly one of them. One of the most iconic models in De Rosa’s history returns today in a completely redesigned form, ready to write a new chapter in its long racing legacy.

Presented on 31 August 2026, the new Merak marks a significant step forward in the evolution of the Cusano Milanino-based company. Completely re-engineered, this road bike has been developed to achieve the perfect balance between lightness, aerodynamics, responsiveness, control and speed, while maintaining the racing DNA that has defined it for more than twenty-five years.

A story that runs through the Giro d’Italia

Merak’s history is closely linked to some of cycling’s biggest races. Its winning debut dates back to 2000, when Romāns Vainšteins claimed the UCI Road World Championship title in Plouay aboard a Merak. That same year, Francesco Casagrande was one of the standout riders at the Giro d’Italia, winning the Abetone stage, wearing the Maglia Rosa for several days and finishing second overall.

Since then, Merak has evolved alongside modern cycling technology, progressing from aluminium frames to hybrid aluminium-carbon solutions before becoming a full-carbon platform with disc brakes and complete integration.

Its connection to the Corsa Rosa has continued in more recent years. In 2021, Victor Lafay rode a Merak to stage victory at the Giro d’Italia, adding another memorable chapter to the bike’s history.

Two years of development for a new riding experience

The new Merak project was developed over a two-year period with a clear goal: not only to reduce overall weight, but also to improve performance and confidence at high speed.

The result is a frame featuring clean, modern lines, a compact front end and larger fork and rear triangle sections, all designed to enhance stability and control. From the side, the bike presents a refined and essential profile, while from the rear its increased frame volumes clearly reveal the engineering work dedicated to improving handling and composure.

With a complete bike weight ranging between 6.9 and 7.1 kilograms, depending on the build, the new Merak is engineered to deliver a fast, reactive and confidence-inspiring ride, particularly in situations where precision and speed make all the difference.

“The faster you go, the more you understand the work we’ve done on stability. That’s probably what impresses me most about the new Merak,” said Cristiano De Rosa.

Between tradition and the future

Alongside its technical evolution, De Rosa has also redefined Merak’s visual identity. The company describes the new design language as retrofuturistic, blending references to its heritage with a contemporary vision of performance and style.

For the first time in many years, the iconic De Rosa heart no longer appears on the head tube, allowing the frame’s proportions, shapes and presence to define the bike’s identity.

The new Merak will be available in three distinct design interpretations:

Classic, clean and minimalist;
Dynamic, featuring graphics that emphasise speed and movement;
Race, the most competition-focused expression of the platform. A new chapter for a historic name

Materials, shapes and technologies evolve, but the philosophy remains unchanged. The new Merak carries forward more than twenty-five years of racing heritage while projecting it into the future, confirming its place as a bike designed for riders seeking top-level performance, responsiveness and control.

Discover more about the new Merak on the official De Rosa website, click here.