Bike choice help
Discussion
Hi everyone!
I'm after a bit of advice from you knowedgable people. I'm going to be using cyclescheme to buy a new bike through work and have whittled a massive shortlist down to two bikes but can't chose between the them.
Bike 1 = Merlin Malt 4 with upgraded SLX 2009 Groupset and Reba Race fork.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bike...
Bike 2 = Cube LTD Race
http://www.surosa.co.uk/detail.aspx?id=5038&ut...
Both are just a smidge over a grand so price isnt really that much of an issue. I'm testing out the cube at my LBS this weekend but can't test the Merlin as it's a mail order bike - but the reviews say its pretty good. Has anyone had a chance to ride both of these bikes? I'm verging towards the cube at the moment as I think it looks the best.
I'm after a bit of advice from you knowedgable people. I'm going to be using cyclescheme to buy a new bike through work and have whittled a massive shortlist down to two bikes but can't chose between the them.
Bike 1 = Merlin Malt 4 with upgraded SLX 2009 Groupset and Reba Race fork.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bike...
Bike 2 = Cube LTD Race
http://www.surosa.co.uk/detail.aspx?id=5038&ut...
Both are just a smidge over a grand so price isnt really that much of an issue. I'm testing out the cube at my LBS this weekend but can't test the Merlin as it's a mail order bike - but the reviews say its pretty good. Has anyone had a chance to ride both of these bikes? I'm verging towards the cube at the moment as I think it looks the best.
check the sizing and the geomoetry. as i have said before, when i was looking at a new bike i found hte cubes havea very short top tube (<23 inch) which would make it quite uncomfortable for my body shape. personally i think they are style over substance but others like them.
you can not fault teh merlin, they are great bikes and regularly win best in group tests in the mags.
you can not fault teh merlin, they are great bikes and regularly win best in group tests in the mags.
Cheers Pablo,
I have done a bit of research on the geometries and it seems they are pretty evenly matched really, with the cube having a marginally longer top tube length.
My only concern over the Merlin is that it seems to have a high standover height for its size. I'm looking at the 17 inch frame and I have read that it has a standover height of 30 inches which seems quite high for the frame size. My inside leg is about 31 inches so this may mean that I end up catching my goolies which isnt ideal really!
I have done a bit of research on the geometries and it seems they are pretty evenly matched really, with the cube having a marginally longer top tube length.
My only concern over the Merlin is that it seems to have a high standover height for its size. I'm looking at the 17 inch frame and I have read that it has a standover height of 30 inches which seems quite high for the frame size. My inside leg is about 31 inches so this may mean that I end up catching my goolies which isnt ideal really!
Whilst both might be "broadly similar" is that "broadly similar" right for you?
I know the Merlins are always there or there abouts in the reviews, but unless you actually sure of what geometry suits you best I would tend not to go there.
If I were you, I would, this time, only get a bike that you'd actually tested and found to be comfortable and not risk it.
IIRC you can buy a new one in a couple of years when if you take to riding you will be in a better position to buy from afar.
I know the Merlins are always there or there abouts in the reviews, but unless you actually sure of what geometry suits you best I would tend not to go there.
If I were you, I would, this time, only get a bike that you'd actually tested and found to be comfortable and not risk it.
IIRC you can buy a new one in a couple of years when if you take to riding you will be in a better position to buy from afar.
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