merlin malt r
pe1ter
Posts: 169
can anyone tell me if these bikes are ok it was the tiagra version i was after buying it will be my first proper road bike thought for 599.99 it was a good buy
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Comments
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Good bike for the money. The only weakness in my opinion is the wheels. I have the Malt RS and it came with Shimano RS 20, but was advertised as coming with Shimano R 500 or 501. Only 16 and 20 spokes front and rear. Light wheels and very strong but after a year or so the spokes will start braking, alloy nipples start to give out.
The spokes and nipples for these wheels are quite expensive compared to a set of cheap custom built wheels. I have just replaced my RS 20 wheels with some hand builts. Only about 150 grams heavier but bomb proof.
As for the bike, arrived ok and just had to set up the headset and bars, everything was working and gears etc had all been set up. Just double check everything before your first ride.
Good start bike for the money and very comfortable with the carbon ford if you have it, remember to change the brade pads from the stock ones, performance is shocking and will eat your rims. Just order a set of Clarks dual compound cartridge and pad set.0 -
I bought one last summer and think it's a great bike.0
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I have the Merlin Malt R as my first road bike and its a great starter bike. The tiagra groupset is fine. Mine came with carbotech wheels which seem fine for now. All I changed was the saddle to a fizik and put some specialized phat bar tape on. The Matt black paint work looks bad ass too! Oh and I'd order some decent rim tape too as I got 4 consecutive punctures but Merlin did send me some decent rim tape and 4 new inner tubes. Just be prepared to wait 3 weeks if you're getting it delivered!0
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Its either the malt or a 2012 cannondale synapse with sora groupset for same money0
