Cant decide, pleasssssse help????

[shrimpercj]

Hi Everyone

Please solve a dilemma, I have narrowed it down to 2 bikes, after looking at many many many, I don't think I can take anymore!
Im fairly new to road cycling, I currently have a Viking Milano which has been good but doesn't really cut it with climbs & stuff around Essex...

I have a budget around £500

1st bike is Evans selling for £430 is Specialized Allez 2015, Claris gearing etc etc

2nd bike is the Merlin Malt R £499 on Merlins website, tiagra gearing with carbon fork etc etc

In peoples humble & honest opinion which would you buy & why??

Please help any advice is most welcome!

 

[vickster]

Merlin as long as I was sure I knew what size. Better groupset components and it doesn't say Specialized on it...personal preference on the latter

Go to Evans, get a test ride of the specialized. If it makes you smile, go for it. You can always upgrade the groupset later. All assuming it has a carbon fork, I wouldn't buy a bike without one, comfort and weight

 

[Kbrook]

Merlin, not paying for the name. Better components.

 

[outlash]

Out of those two, the specialized as it'd have a better frame.

Tony.

 

[vickster]

Better how? Aluminium frame and fork (spesh premium whatever that is). Merlin 7005 aluminium with carbon fork

On Evans site, the 2015 Claris allez is £480 not £430

 

[shrimpercj]

Thanks guys, the specialized has an ali fork the merlin has carbon, merlin just seems really good for £530 inc delivery

 

[outlash]

It'll be a nicer ride, quite probably lighter too. I'll wager the guarantee will be better too. Spend money on the frame, not the components.

 

[shrimpercj]

the ali on the specialised is E5 with A1 fork, it suppose to be the best ali specialised can offer, where as the merlin is 7005 which still gets great reviews

 

[vickster]

Have you ridden both? Quantify nicer. I'd wager a carbon fork will be more comfortable to ride than an alu one. Claris and Alex wheels lighter than tiagra? Unconvinced. how often do people claim on frame warranties due to a manufacturing fault? Rarely if this site provides a decent indication

The malt has been very well reviewed in terms of ride and vfm.

 

[vickster]

Merlin only have the 56cm frame size, so it's academic if not the size for the OP

 

[shrimpercj]

56cm is my size, I'm 5'11, pretty sure Merlin may be the one, is the standard warranty a year?

 

[vickster]

56cm is my size, I'm 5'11, pretty sure Merlin may be the one, is the standard warranty a year?

Best ask them, it varies

 

[ayceejay]

I'd go for the Merkin just because I like the name.

 

[outlash]

Have you ridden both? Quantify nicer. I'd wager a carbon fork will be more comfortable to ride than an alu one. Claris and Alex wheels lighter than tiagra? Unconvinced. how often do people claim on frame warranties due to a manufacturing fault? Rarely if this site provides a decent indication

The malt has been very well reviewed in terms of ride and vfm.

I've ridden an Allez and it's a nice ride as I'd expect it to be, never ridden a merlin but then you've never ridden on an alu fork either so neither of us can say what's better . You've got a thing about specialized because they're common as muck, be honest now.... The OP asked for opinions and I gave one, your reasoning (because it doesn't say specialized) is pretty bleedin' poor IMO. FWIW, I'd rather buy a CAAD8 for £500 from Paul's Cycles as I've put a fair few miles in on mine and i'm still smitten.

56cm is my size, I'm 5'11, pretty sure Merlin may be the one, is the standard warranty a year?

You may need a 58cm frame depending on what bike it is. Use this to give you a better idea: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp


Tony.

 

[vickster]

Nope, I've had three specialized bikes and didn't like riding any of them

And my first point was actually that the Merlin has higher level components