Merlin Bikes

[timnoyce]

Sadly my B-Twin Triban 3 was stolen last week by some scrote whilst it was parked outside a business centre whilst I was on a course, insurance has agreed a settlement fee and so my replacement bike needs to come in on budget at under £450ish.

I've been thoroughly impressed with the B-Twin and still believe it is the best value bike on the market, but they are currently out of stock nationwide and so not going to be easy to get hold of one of them in a hurry. Been looking at the second hand option but there isn't much going down on ebay or in the classifieds with a large frame so looking at some 2012 bikes with discounts.

Are there any Pistonheaders who ride Merlin bikes? In general, Merlin are my fave online bike shop as they are always really helpful and also give good prices but have yet to speak to anyone who rides one of their bikes. They seem to spec their bikes sensibly rather than using headline grabbing 'xt rear mech' kind of sales techniques!

This is what I am looking at... http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-b...

anyone got any other ideas as to what would be a better buy for this price. (I really can't be too flexible, and I know folk will say buy second hand... but I have looked and not really seen anything worth spending the money on.)

[IroningMan]

I've had one of their MTBs for four years - can't fault it or them.

[shouldbworking]

carbon fork, sora, £389.. not quite as good value as the btwin but not bad by any means.

and ive just realised its only in stock in tiny.. oh well.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolutio...

[mike13]

I had a Merlin mtb for years,regretted selling it,should have had a malt r road bike arriving today but they seem to have got their dates wrong so now arriving on Friday.Bit of a gamble really but it does get good reviews.

[timnoyce]

Excellent, all positive stuff so far. This is what I expected to be honest, just always a bit of a gamble buying something you haven't sat on!