Anything 'wrong' with this bike?

[Chatta25]

Looking for my first road bike (still).
Came across this Merlin.

https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-pr7-rs-road-bike-2017-93470.html

Seems awfully well specced for the price. Am i missing something?

Feel free to suggest anything for me. Like i said im struggling to pick something. Scared i ll get ripped off haha.

My LBS is a specialized store would it better getting from a shop n not online?

 

[Spiderweb]

For £599 it's a great buy. Also worth looking at the Planet X website.

 

[Doobiesis]

The £599 price tag is an entry level road bike price, you would never get that groupset on a bigger make, so if it's your first bike I would go for it. It looks awesome.

The only reason a bike manufacturer would put top spec on a bike that cheap is normally due to a cheaper frame.

Most manufacturers do it the other way round and you get a decent frame with low spec on everything else.

My theory is it's pretty much the only thing you can't change on a bike. Get the frame wrong, it changes everything.

And I cannot emphasise enough how important it is NOT to buy online. Just don't do it! You have to be fitted to a road bike and that's so important - and free when you buy from shop. I had a Specialized as my first road bike and I hated it, sold it (at a loss) and bought a Giant Liv road bike and it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned. Specialized have a tendency to make their frames super small, for tiny people! Didn't fit me and I'll never buy another one.

 

[Spiderweb]

Also worth looking at for £599.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXRT58ALRIV22/planet-x-rt-58-alloy-sram-rival-11-road-bike

 

[lpretro1]

The £599 price tag is an entry level road bike price, you would never get that groupset on a bigger make, so if it's your first bike I would go for it. It looks awesome.

The only reason a bike manufacturer would put top spec on a bike that cheap is normally due to a cheaper frame.

Most manufacturers do it the other way round and you get a decent frame with low spec on everything else.

My theory is it's pretty much the only thing you can't change on a bike. Get the frame wrong, it changes everything.

And I cannot emphasise enough how important it is NOT to buy online. Just don't do it! You have to be fitted to a road bike and that's so important - and free when you buy from shop. I had a Specialized as my first road bike and I hated it, sold it (at a loss) and bought a Giant Liv road bike and it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned. Specialized have a tendency to make their frames super small, for tiny people! Didn't fit me and I'll never buy another one.

It's not the full 105 11spd groupset - the chainset is an inferior one - though ok and the brakes are Tektro which are not brill. Prob a b it on the heavy side weight wise. But at that price...

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I bought a bike online but that was only because I was able to compare the frame geometry of the model on offer with my measurements from a bike fitting. Until you have got those measurements, I'd recommend a ride before you buy approach.

 

[Chatta25]

Only problem is im no where near the merlin store, i am hours away. In this instance would it better taking the risk or moving onto something local.

The allez sport & elite are both on sale i could look at them locally. Just not as good groupset.

 

[cyberknight]

Merlin frames are made by Ridley , cracking bikes i have heard.

 

[biggs682]

Merlin frames are made by Ridley , cracking bikes i have heard.

if that is true the frame will be nice

@Chatta25 have you ridden a road bike ?

if not why spend so much go and look 2nd hand locally and try a few to get an idea re sizes etc etc any honest seller should allow you to take it for a ride so you get the feel of it before making any decisions , i always try and encourage buyers to take one for a ride before handing over cash loads go on looks only ....

In fact if you are local to Wellingborough feel free to come and try a few even if only for size etc etc

 

[wheresthetorch]

cracking bikes

Are they carbon, then?

 

[MarquisMatsugae]

For a first time bike,it looks the business .
I say go for it,and Merlin have a good rep for quality bikes.

 

[Big Dave laaa]

As already said give Merlin a try. They are a good firm to deal with and know what makes a good bike.

 

[Dirk]

Merlin frames are made by Ridley...........

Not all of them - only some of the carbon ones, as far as I know.

 

[Rooster1]

Looks sweet to me

 

[montroseloon]

Planet X is based in Sheffield if that is any help and closer