Need advice RE:Merlin Malt-R

[mrBishboshed]

Hi all,​

I have found a bike i like the look of. Can anyone give me some more info on the bike?

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http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-sh...-road-bikes/merlin-malt-r-road-bike-2013.html​

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Reviews are few and far between online. I don't understand why though seeing as there are reviews for just about every other bike in the sub £1000 price range.​

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Its well appointed with Tiagra 2 x10 speed and lots more. I understand that the component package is good for the money but i would like to know what the ride characteristics are like and if any of you know how good the frames are? I am not a brand name snob and i will be using the bike for personal training and the odd sportive at weekends. I average about 80-100 miles a week in the good weather and 30-50 miles in the colder months.​

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Its my first road bike and anything is a step up from my hybrid clunker. I have got a few miles under my belt on the Specialized Allez Sport Compact 2013 Road Bike but that's the only racer i will be able to make a comparison with. ​

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http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-sport-compact-2013-road-bike-ec040965#features​

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The cash is burning a hole in my pocket and i need to spend it before my wife tells me we need a new boiler or something!​

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Here are the geometry specs in case you want them. I dont understand them myself!​

http://www.merlincycles.com/resources/files/Merlin Geometry.pdf​

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[Ben M]

My money would go here:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/r...ipped?part=SE13SSRIBSP7005SHIMT&sub=conf_SERA

 

[mrBishboshed]

My money would go here:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/r...ipped?part=SE13SSRIBSP7005SHIMT&sub=conf_SERA

Many thanks Ben, I had not seen this Ribble, its gonna make choosing a lot harder now. The explanation for sizing is the best advice i have seen online and will help with whatever i go for. Cheers

Not sure about the alloy forks though. Do they look a bit old fashioned now?

 

[bigup]

How about this: http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-defy-1-2013-white

Great for the price

 

[mrBishboshed]

How about this: http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-defy-1-2013-white

Great for the price

Very nice bike and great reviews but unfortunately just out of reach financially. The wife wont let me stretch the budget past £750 and i will have to consider pedals, delivery and if i don't want to upset my fellow riders on wet Sunday afternoons some SKS race blades.
(I've been told they fit any road bike with 18-23 mm tyres. Not sure if thats true.)

Its too easy to get caught up and spend spend spend.

I had a grand in January for a bike and would have gone for with a Boardman Road Team or Boardman CX if that large chain selling them had not messed up. Need to spend whats left before its frittered away but i am finding it difficult with so much choice.

That's why i am relying on you lot to find me the right steed. I was hoping for some positive feedback on the Merlin Malt-R. It seems to offer great value for money on paper.

 

[goody]

There's probably not much to choose between the two. I've had a merlin MTB and a ribble roadbike pleased with both. Find a bike that fits you (try a friends) and see which has the closest measurements to that or get the one you think looks best. Both seem good value.

 

[mrBishboshed]

I have just spoke to Ribble who were very helpful in answering my questions. The Ribble 7005 Sportive Frame does not come with alloy forks so i think i am now leaning towards this machine now.

Merlin Cycles really need to get some more reviews in the media for their own brand bikes, the lack of readily available information has put me off buying one.

 

[Judderz]

My money would go here:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/r...ipped?part=SE13SSRIBSP7005SHIMT&sub=conf_SERA

Where as my money wouldn't, and never will again.

@ The OP, some people get good service from Ribble, others don't...I was one of the ones that didn't.

Merlin I find are good at what they do, the guy I regularly cycle with bought a Sensa carbon bike from Merlin, and has nothing but praise for the bike and for Merlin themselves (specially when he had an off on some ice a week after he bought the bike and bent his rear hanger, they replaced free of charge).

 

[Broadside]

No experience of Merlin bikes but at a guess I would say it would be a downgrade to the Allez Sport that you have been riding to date. The component spec might be slightly better but expect the frame will be the real weak point.

 

[martint235]

Merlin Cycles really need to get some more reviews in the media for their own brand bikes, the lack of readily available information has put me off buying one.

They need to do more than that. I asked them for a spec and geometry sheet for one of their own bikes and was told they didn't have one!

 

[mrBishboshed]

Looks like Merlins sharp customer service is being let down by the techs and marketing. I will keep my fingers crossed that the service i get from Ribble will be good. I order a bike and some accessories, they get it from the warehouse, pack it up and send it to me. How hard can it be?

Is Ribble a UK brand?

 

[mrBishboshed]

Where as my money wouldn't, and never will again.

@ The OP, some people get good service from Ribble, others don't...I was one of the ones that didn't.

Merlin I find are good at what they do, the guy I regularly cycle with bought a Sensa carbon bike from Merlin, and has nothing but praise for the bike and for Merlin themselves (specially when he had an off on some ice a week after he bought the bike and bent his rear hanger, they replaced free of charge).

Was temted by this Sensa Romagna Special 2013

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/sensa-bikes/sensa-romagna-special-2013.html

But the versatility of the Ribble 7005 Sportive has swung it for me. And the £100 odd pound price difference.

 

[bigup]

I have just spoke to Ribble who were very helpful in answering my questions. The Ribble 7005 Sportive Frame does not come with alloy forks so i think i am now leaning towards this machine now. I like the fact it will take panniers and mud guards for the winter and maybe some touring. (If i am allowed)

Merlin Cycles really need to get some more reviews in the media for their own brand bikes, the lack of readily available information has put me off buying one.

Personally if i was spending £600 id want at least a carbon fork,

how about this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moser-bikes-speed-sora-2013/

or within your budget (£750), this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z85-105-2013/

 

[mrBishboshed]

Personally if i was spending £600 id want at least a carbon fork,

how about this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moser-bikes-speed-sora-2013/

or within your budget (£750), this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z85-105-2013/

The Felt looks good. I had briefly considered this one: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/f95-2013-road-bike-ec046307#features
I agree that for £600 carbon forks are essential and i have since found out the the Ribble does indeed come with carbon forks.
It was just some poorly worded description that threw me in the first place.

I will be getting my order in with them tonight.

No experience of Merlin bikes but at a guess I would say it would be a downgrade to the Allez Sport that you have been riding to date. The component spec might be slightly better but expect the frame will be the real weak point.

I know it hurts every time i have to return his bike to him, although i am looking forward to having a slightly more stretched out riding position on the Ribble. I have average length legs but arms like an orangutan.

 

[Broadside]

Well I would say that the Ribble would be a better bet than the Merlin. You can get an Allez Sport for £725 and it is not difficult to get 10% off that price if you go to the right shops so you could get a bike that you know you like for £650. Starts to sound tempting huh!

Providing you get the right size frame sorting out minor reach adjustments are easily sorted by swapping out the stem if you want longer reach.