New bike / Merlin custom / Rock Lobster

thetrueherod

Hello,

I currently ride an XTC Sx which i really like, but i thnk it is time to get something else. I dont
fancy Giant/trek etc (not that there is anything wrong with them) i just fancy something alittle different. Was thinking of a Merlin Malt / or rock lobster

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=38

or

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... goryId=100

what you reckon? Any other merlin custom build owners out there?

Larok

Hi,

Lovely bikes, I would prefer the malt 4 frame though against the 2.

These are worth a look also;

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... ctID=10274

and www.boardmanbikes.com

look for the mountain bike - boardman pro

thetrueherod

ta very much

Chaka Ping

The Rock Lobster is a better package than the Malt 2, IMO. It has a top-notch frame rather than a mid-level one.

You're paying a disproportionate amount for the Fox fork on the latter, when the Reba is arguably just as good.

Merlin are very good at letting you make individual changes to the spec of the bikes too - so you could (for example) change the drivetrain to Sram if you prefer them, or get some better tyres than the standard Fire XCs.

I think the Rock Lobster looks a lot better than the Merlin-branded bikes too.

dunker

i've seen the malt 4 (obviously as i own one) and the lobster (dark metalic grey i think) in the flesh and they're both gorgeous looking frames. get the one you like the look of the most i reckon, give the steel a try too though

Splasher

What about something like a Cove Handjob or if you can stretch to the price an on-one titanium

thetrueherod

or i get something along the lines of the Giant Trance?

First full suss adventure?

Have good rapor with LBS that sell Gaint, would get good deal

Ta

100%

Hi,

I had an XTC SX too, but after a slight incident last year put the frame out of action and I wasn't happy with what happened dealing with Giant, I eventually replaced the frame with a Kinesis Maxlight XC Pro2 frame. Kinesis are the same company that make the Malt frame series for Merlin, amongst a ton of others. In my opinion, it's an extremely good frame, and I've ended up preferring it to the XTC SX frame, which I also did really like.

Merlin sell the Kinesis Racelight road frames, so I imagine they can build up a Maxlight for you.

I was going to say how great it was , but I think you need to decide if you want hardtail or full suss first! Plus, much as I love it, I'd be very tempted to look at the On-One 456 frame if I had the cash.

Let us know what you decide!

Cheers,
Steve