£1000 all in

[illmonkey]

Its been approved! I can get a bike through the C2W. So I've got £1000 to play with, so around £900 for the bike, £100 for a few accessories.

Something hard tail, I cant warrant full sus. Mostly its for exercise, which at the minute is a basic fairly flat route with a few different terrains. But once i've got it, I will be playing a bit more, slinging it in the car and finding places to cycle.

I've been recommended by the bike shop (in Wycombe) a Scott Scale (best I can afford). What do you think?

[tricky69]

would try and get a 2008 bike in the sale... the 2009 are more expensive and they all have cheaper parts - thanks to the £ taking a dive !

Specialized or trek both are pretty similar but spech gets the nod for me... maybe a low stumpjumper, great bikes

[PooPoo]

Hardtail? Orange P7.

[ratbane]

PooPoo said:

Hardtail? Orange P7.

Look no further.

[illmonkey]

ratbane said:

PooPoo said:

Hardtail? Orange P7.

Look no further.

Will be phoning the local shop and seeing if they carry it. They suggested Scott scales too, but I'm more impressed by the Orange.

[gbbird]

ratbane said:

PooPoo said:

Hardtail? Orange P7.

Look no further.

A merlin Malt 4 with full spec

[nervous]

gbbird said:

ratbane said:

PooPoo said:

Hardtail? Orange P7.

Look no further.

A merlin Malt 4 with full spec

what he said. I even know where there's a lightly used one for sale.

[illmonkey]

nervous said:

gbbird said:

ratbane said:

PooPoo said:

Hardtail? Orange P7.

Look no further.

A merlin Malt 4 with full spec

what he said. I even know where there's a lightly used one for sale.

Needs to be from a shop, bike scheme and all that.

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I'll see if the shop can get them in and I'll take a look at them.

[plfrench]

Merlin are a shop in their own right (they've got a unit up manchester way-ish, and can accomodate cycle to work scheme. I reckon a Malt 1, full SLX kit, RS Reba race, handbuilt mavic 317's and race face finishing kit is an absolute steal for under a grand.

[Chris71]

A word of warning - I specced over £250 worth of kit on the first quote!

Admittedly that's because I've never used SPDs for mountain biking and decided to switch to them for road use and it included a few MTB spares, but it wasn't unrealistic I don't think.

[Frik]

Cough cough

[plfrench]

Well at least I'm being consistent

[jonesey]

Just got confirmation that my Malt 4 has been built. I have bought through the cycle to work scheme. Merlin only sell bikes directly through Cyclescheme. There are up to 7 or 8 schemes out there so need to check which one your employer is linked to. Other than that, I had exactly the same questions asyou. All the forums and reviews pointed towards either the Merlin Malt 4 or one of the rock lobsters.

[Frik]

Just waiting for my order form to come though.

Merlin Malt 4 with a Reba Race.

Can't wait.

[jonesey]

I didn't need the form, just put it all through online. My finance people then sent the cheque and I had the voucher within the week. There is a 10-14 day build time on these at the moment. I'm psyched!!

[illmonkey]

Are you guys just choosing upgrades from the site (http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=42&categoryId=39) OR getting a frame and getting them built up from that?

What upgrades are you doing to stay under £1000?

I'm really tempted by the Malt 4, but no way to ride ones before I get it!

My company is using "cyclescheme"

Edited by illmonkey on Wednesday 20th May 08:26

[jonesey]

I haven't ridden mine either. But they have a glowing report everywhere they are mentioned. You also get the personalized service from Merlin which I have found top rate. Went for the Malt 4 plus fork upgrade. The standard of kit is great anyway and I doubtbin all honesty I will really benefit from the upgrade but it's easy to get carried away. Don't forget to factor in the price of pedals as they don't come with the bike! I grabbed some Wellgo MG-1 magnesium pedals for £40.

Get it done!!!

[illmonkey]

jonesey said:

I haven't ridden mine either. But they have a glowing report everywhere they are mentioned. You also get the personalized service from Merlin which I have found top rate. Went for the Malt 4 plus fork upgrade. The standard of kit is great anyway and I doubtbin all honesty I will really benefit from the upgrade but it's easy to get carried away. Don't forget to factor in the price of pedals as they don't come with the bike! I grabbed some Wellgo MG-1 magnesium pedals for £40.

Get it done!!!

I'm coming around to the thought...

I want some SPD's but might hold out for a bit and just get used to the bike. I'll get a helmet from a local place, needs to be comfy. New trainers too!

[Frik]

illmonkey - just give them a call or an email and see what they can do.

[jonesey]

Mine is being delivered Friday, let me know if you want any specific pictures of any bits and bobs to help you decide either way.