Which bike is better?

[AresTo]

Hi, I see this bike on eBay does it seem good?If yes, maybe I would gonna buy it on my own if it suits me.If compare to a new merlin malt g2 gravel bike
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155586106468?hash=item2439a79464:g:RXoAAOSwdWNkeQVu&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAAwPAFBgmXtot8eyfDAxPR5pHsPSmxbBty9qNtaT6hc7wFlaebD0Ztek8uoOdd51e5uUY+Qy79o+8ERVh8XJ0mthkA3lVzyidXcKTzadpb7+zHsQwGc4+QXr0u+ZjVTVsp8Qh/Mhy1S6lvmqi0n/Wx2ccYgHr2NfuSxt5kIJoGzYwEWIGnwbWrRJ/HuqQskLEDM48ANyRzIG4WCnkquLO5LdjtYN0UT0oQdwlSrMcI86fqjrv+dM9lhWtnbjEIL07kgw==|tkp:Bk9SR8aK88GVYg

Merlin:https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2-claris-gravel-bike-2023-197226.html

 

[Spiderweb]

Hi, I see this bike on eBay does it seem good?If yes, maybe I would gonna buy it on my own if it suits me.If compare to a new merlin malt g2 gravel bike
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155586106468?hash=item2439a79464:g:RXoAAOSwdWNkeQVu&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAAwPAFBgmXtot8eyfDAxPR5pHsPSmxbBty9qNtaT6hc7wFlaebD0Ztek8uoOdd51e5uUY+Qy79o+8ERVh8XJ0mthkA3lVzyidXcKTzadpb7+zHsQwGc4+QXr0u+ZjVTVsp8Qh/Mhy1S6lvmqi0n/Wx2ccYgHr2NfuSxt5kIJoGzYwEWIGnwbWrRJ/HuqQskLEDM48ANyRzIG4WCnkquLO5LdjtYN0UT0oQdwlSrMcI86fqjrv+dM9lhWtnbjEIL07kgw==|tkp:Bk9SR8aK88GVYg

Merlin:https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2-claris-gravel-bike-2023-197226.html

How tall are you?

 

[vickster]

How tall are you?

He’s 160-165cm according to his previous thread. So not terribly
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bike.291959/

 

[biggs682]

Ones new and ones used go and look at the used one and take it for a spin .
Check with Merlin to see if they have one your size available for test ride , then decide.

 

[vickster]

Ones new and ones used go and look at the used one and take it for a spin .
Check with Merlin to see if they have one your size available for test ride , then decide.

Problem is the OP is in Winchester and Merlin are up in Preston or similar making test riding tough.
The used one is in Southampton so much closer

 

[biggs682]

Problem is the OP is in Winchester and Merlin are up in Preston or similar making test riding tough.
The used one is in Southampton so much closer

I would still suggest that the OP tried one before buying as the amount of post's we see about people buying the wrong size is crazy.

 

[vickster]

I would still suggest that the OP tried one before buying as the amount of post's we see about people buying the wrong size is crazy.

Well of course, hence my comment that Southampton is much closer to try out, about 20 mins by train only

 

[Alex321]

The Specialised has lower gearing, so if you have much in the way of hills, is likely to be better for you.

It has 46/34 chainset and 11-34 cassette, while the Merlin has 50/34 and 11-28

 

[biggs682]

Well of course, hence my comment that Southampton is much closer to try out

Not picking an argument but is that a reason to buy just because it's nearer ?
It still could be the wrong size definitely worth trying any bike before committing hard cash surely ?

 

[vickster]

The Specialised has lower gearing, so if you have much in the way of hills, is likely to be better for you.

It has 46/34 chainset and 11-34 cassette, while the Merlin has 50/34 and 11-28

Presumably the Merlin cassette could be changed to a 11-32 easily enough. He’s young, small and probably lightweight (the Merlin bike will probably be heavyish though)

 

[vickster]

Not picking an argument but is that a reason to buy just because it's nearer ?
It still could be the wrong size definitely worth trying any bike before committing hard cash surely ?

Whatever, it’s much easier to try a bike that’s 20 mins away than 4 hours away! He’s already said in other post that he’s reliant on his parents to drive him around. A 20 min train journey would negate that need.
He’s not even sure exactly how tall he is so that would be a start and checking the size guide to get the right ballpark for the bike. He’s also 17 so could still grow so might want to consider that

 

[biggs682]

Whatever, it’s much easier to try a bike that’s 20 mins away that 4 hours away! He’s also 17 so could still grow so might want to consider that

Totally agree with those.
But imho that's a lot of Dosh for a first road bike only to find after 20 or so miles that it's not for him

 

[vickster]

Totally agree with those.
But imho that's a lot of Dosh for a first road bike only to find after 20 or so miles that it's not for him

We have to learn from our mistakes in life. You're assuming the Diverge isn’t the right size. According to Specialized, the 49 should be fine for 160-165 height
49cm 5' 3" - 5' 6" 160 - 168

His budget was around £300 for a roadbike last week, not £550 for a gravel bike so who knows

 

[AresTo]

We have to learn from our mistakes in life. You're assuming the Diverge isn’t the right size. According to Specialized, the 49 should be fine for 160-165 height
49cm 5' 3" - 5' 6" 160 - 168

His budget was around £300 for a roadbike last week, not £550 for a gravel bike so who knows

So are both bike similar?

 

[vickster]

So are both bike similar?

Ish… you need to compare the specs and geometries for yourself