Need advice RE:Merlin Malt-R

[mrBishboshed]

I find everything tempting in the world of bikes. I would end up owing thousands if my Mrs didn't rule our accounts.

 

[Judderz]

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?

As opposed to Ribbles poor customer service, tech's that can't fit brake pads properly, or put the wheel in the dropouts (wheel skewed at an angle then tightened, no frame protectors, cheap wheels, too thin rim tape resulting in punctures..I could go on.

Pack it up and send it you...how hard can it be? Famous last words!

Merlin started doing the Sensa range late last year, so just coming up to 12 months of having the brand, so wouldn't expect massive reviews just yet, as opposed to Ribble who have been doing their bikes for literally years.

Bikeradar review of the Romagna: http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/...roduct/review-sensa--romagna-special-12-46600

 

[mrBishboshed]

Thanks for all the helpful advice.

I bit the bullet and went for the Ribble Sportive 7005 summer special. I will be keeping my fingers firmly crossed that i get some good service.
I am happy that all in it has just set me back £625. After much shopping around i think its a well appointed bike for the money.

Ribble Sportive 7005 Shimano Tiagra
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/r...ipped?part=SE13SSRIBSP7005SHIMT&sub=conf_SERA
full specification

• Ribble 7005 Sportive Frame 55cm (C-Top)
• Ribble 7005 Sportive Carbon Road Forks 1 1/8" ITS
• Ribble Headset Branded Ribble 1 1/8" Hidden (ITS) 45 x 45
• Shimano Tiagra 4600 10 Spd Double Groupset
• Shimano 4600 BB Cups (34/35/4500 double/triple) Eng
• Shimano Tiagra 4600 Brakes
• Shimano 10 Spd Tiagra 4600 Cassette 12-28
• Shimano 10 Speed 4601 Tiagra Chain
• Shimano Tiagra Double 4600 10 Chainset 172.5 39/52
• Shimano Tiagra 4600 10 Double Front Gear Braze-on
• Shimano Tiagra 4600 10 Spd Rear Gear Short
• Shimano STI Levers Tiagra 4600 10 Speed with cables Double
• ITM Pr Whls Aero 2.4 8/9/10 Shim
• ITM Alutech Wing 6061 (31.8) Bars White 44cm
• ITM Alutech 6061 (31.8) Stem White 110mm
• Selle Italia X1 Saddle (BIKE) Black
• CSN Superleggera Alloy Seatpillar Black 31.6 400mm
• Continental Ultra Sport Rigid Tyre White/Black 700x23mm
• Yaw Butyl Inner Tube 700x18/25 SV42mm
• ITM Cork Embossed Handlebar Tape Black
• Shimano Clipless Spd-SL R540 (105) Pedals Black

Will let you know what the i think of the whole experience once i have sat my bum on the saddle and taken it for a maiden run.
I wont be a happy bunny if i need to take it in to my LBS any time soon. I still think that the Merlin Malt-R looks great value for money and the Sensa is a good looking nicely speced bike. It was a close run thing and i hope i have made the right choice.
Its not often i get a chance to spend more than a tenner om myself. A bit stressful tbh.

 

[Grant Fondo]

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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Mr Bishboshed..... Ribble and Merlin may be great value, but I heard some stories from my LBS that put me off buying one. They had a couple in for servicing where the clearance was really tight between back tyre and seat tube due to bad frame alignment. No LBS is realistically going to tell you to buy from these guys, but thought I would pass this on as it changed my mind and I went for a Ghost 4900 as it was £700 at the time (an easy 10/10, if you can find one!)

 

[Grant Fondo]

Thanks for all the helpful advice.

I bit the bullet and went for the Ribble Sportive 7005 summer special. I will be keeping my fingers firmly crossed that i get some good service.
I am happy that all in it has just set me back £625. After much shopping around i think its a well appointed bike for the money.

OOPS! should have read this bit first...... hope it works out ok!

 

[mrBishboshed]

So do i.
Thanks for letting me know, i am just hoping i dont fall into the horror story camp of bad customer service.

Ribble seem to be a marmite company, i have almost gone blind reading reviews and customers either love or hate them. If they get it right i am sure i will love them.

Great review of the Ghost 4900 in Bike Radar. Good looking bike as well. I had not heard of them before.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-ghost-race-4900-road-bike-11-43396

 

[Grant Fondo]

Great review of the Ghost 4900 in Bike Radar. Good looking bike as well. I had not heard of them before.
[/quote] No me neither, made in Germany.... I had a really expensive Cannondale before, but I prefer the Ghost as not too many people have the road bikes.

 

[mrBishboshed]

As opposed to Ribbles poor customer service, tech's that can't fit brake pads properly, or put the wheel in the dropouts (wheel skewed at an angle then tightened, no frame protectors, cheap wheels, too thin rim tape resulting in punctures..I could go on.

Pack it up and send it you...how hard can it be? Famous last words!

Merlin started doing the Sensa range late last year, so just coming up to 12 months of having the brand, so wouldn't expect massive reviews just yet, as opposed to Ribble who have been doing their bikes for literally years.

Well looks like you were right. How hard can it be? Extremely difficult if today's experience with them is anything to go by.

The bikes on its way to me now with the wrong crank set. I wouldn't mind but i called and Ribble and spoke with one of the sales guys first thing this morning pointing out that the crank specified on the order confirmation was the wrong one. It may have been my mistake at the time of ordering but i called them in time and he told me the bike was not completed and he would make sure they fitted the Compact i asked for. I went away happy until i got a confirmation of shipping email just two hours later. I rang them straight away only to be told that they had shipped the bike without changing the crank.

Not sure how they will resolve this. I will of course give them every chance to do so. I am not prepared to pay for the bike to be sent back out of my pocket. They knew it was not what i wanted before they shipped it.

If they send me the crank i am after i will get it swapped at my LBS and send back the standard crank.

How much will a LBS charge to swap a crank? (rough estimate will do)

 

[vickster]

Great review of the Ghost 4900 in Bike Radar. Good looking bike as well. I had not heard of them before.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-ghost-race-4900-road-bike-11-43396

Yum, just needs white tape

 

[mrBishboshed]

Really happy with my Ribble 7005 Sportive.

Great customer service from Ribble who sorted out my little issues with the order.
Bike well packaged and set up lovely.

I can recommend them highly.

 

[Stevea]

I ordered a Sensa Trentino SL Pro on 24th Jan 2014 from Merlin it took 6 weeks to come not the 2 - 3 quoted. Took it back because the gears were noisy and could not get 11th (mainly Ultegra) they "fixed it" took it back again for the same reason. They told me they were very busy and not doing service work. I persisted and they agreed to look at it despite being "a month behind on builds!" After they "fixed it" I test rode it in the car park and still could not get 11th. They test rode it and said it was fine. NO ITS NOT! I still cannot get 11th.