New Merlin road PR7 bike under £300

roubaixtom

Any views on this as a winter/commuter bike. Budget is £300 and this seems very good value. Shall I go for it ? Or look for something second hand. Even for £300 I can't find anything massively better second hand.


http://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-perf ... 73113.html

HebdenBiker

There's a thread about this bike on Singletrack. The general gist is that it's excellent value for money and you won't go far wrong with this bike.

gabriel959

Yes, the spec looks fantastic for the money. A bargain.

THe only sticking point are the tyres which are non-branded, but you can get some decent ones for not too much money.

holiver

It would be nice if they could supply geometry information...

Jules Winnfield

I was looking at this bike for a winter/turbo hack and for the price I really don't think there is anything as good a value on the market ATM. I stand to be corrected though.

My only downer (and I'm being really, really picky here) is the horrible Pro Seven/PR7 decal on the top tube. It just looks a mess.

holiver

Also from Merlin, this is comparable value for money.

http://www.merlincycles.com/felt-f95-ro ... 72331.html

Jules Winnfield

It's a great bike holiver, just as long as you need the bike in a large size.

roubaixtom

I think the PR7 is a great but, hope the frame is of decent quality.

roubaixtom

Saying that the Merlin has a delivery charge of £30 which brings it to £330. The Felt is £365 + £6 delivery.

Out of the two which one?

gabriel959

Felt. Better groupset, possibly better frame and finishing kit. And better resale value.

roubaixtom

54cm for 5ft 8.5 ?

I'm using it as a wintet bike so it should be a good but. £365 seems like a steal. Everywhere else they are £599

DKay

Roubaixtom wrote:

54cm for 5ft 8.5 ?

I'm using it as a wintet bike so it should be a good but. £365 seems like a steal. Everywhere else they are £599

You should just about be ok to fit on a 54cm.

roubaixtom

Ordered the Felt F95 in matt black today, should be here early next week.

rokt

I called into Merlin Cycles this morning and had a quick look at the PR7, to be honest you couldn't miss them. They must have had six of them lined up in the doorway to the bike room. They looked O.K. for the money but you're right the Felt is a lot better bike and only £65 more. I think you ordered the right bike !

gabriel959

davidmt83 wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

Felt. Better groupset, possibly better frame and finishing kit. And better resale value.

Tough on the climbs though... 11-25T on the Felt vs 11-30T on the PR7...

true, but a 9 speed cassette is a tenner if you want to swap it.

roubaixtom

Is the 54cm the right size for me? I'm 5ft8.5 and ride a 54cm roubaix as summer bike

Jules Winnfield

That would depend on your inseam measurement. I'm the exact same height has you with an inseam of 78.5cm. There is no way I would have a 54cm frame cos it would be too cumbersome to handle. I prefer a smaller frame and stick a longer head stem on it.