Merlin Malt +
edifice666
Posts: 6
Hello Guys and Gals,
I have recently through a friend been bitten by the bug and, have just ordered the Merlin Malt + which I believe has just about the best spec for a bike of that price anywhere, at least as far as I can see? Now I realise that this is like closing the door after the horse has bolted but, does anyone have any thoughts on this please? As the last decent bike I rode was quite some time ago, so long ago in fact, it was arounf 98' to 2001 and it was the shiny Marin Nail Trail which was a fantastic steed and from there I stopped riding and the last bike I owned was if memory serves a 2012 Carrera Kraken which although OK, not by any means a bike to shout about owning!!
Therefore, after knowing about Merlin and the models Malt 1 through to 4 etc. I know that they are known for excellent spec own brand bikes, with great frames, after reading up on the majority of the components and what they would cost anyway, decided to pull the trigger as it is just under half of the RRP at £749.00 as oppossed to £1599.00. And, despite it being a 2018 model I thought it was too good to miss.
Here is the link https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-mountain-bike-114994.html and, if anyone with more expertise than I could please take the time to look this over and give me their thoughts/opinions, I would be very grateful.
Again, I realise that this may be a silly question given that it is already on order but, I really like the look of the thing and, in spite of the frame geometery and the HA apparently according to someone else being too angled, I feel that this is a real bargain, especially for someone like me who probably for a long while at least, have the guts to properly bomb it down some steep runs and really put it through it's paces!!??
Many thanks!!
I have recently through a friend been bitten by the bug and, have just ordered the Merlin Malt + which I believe has just about the best spec for a bike of that price anywhere, at least as far as I can see? Now I realise that this is like closing the door after the horse has bolted but, does anyone have any thoughts on this please? As the last decent bike I rode was quite some time ago, so long ago in fact, it was arounf 98' to 2001 and it was the shiny Marin Nail Trail which was a fantastic steed and from there I stopped riding and the last bike I owned was if memory serves a 2012 Carrera Kraken which although OK, not by any means a bike to shout about owning!!
Therefore, after knowing about Merlin and the models Malt 1 through to 4 etc. I know that they are known for excellent spec own brand bikes, with great frames, after reading up on the majority of the components and what they would cost anyway, decided to pull the trigger as it is just under half of the RRP at £749.00 as oppossed to £1599.00. And, despite it being a 2018 model I thought it was too good to miss.
Here is the link https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-mountain-bike-114994.html and, if anyone with more expertise than I could please take the time to look this over and give me their thoughts/opinions, I would be very grateful.
Again, I realise that this may be a silly question given that it is already on order but, I really like the look of the thing and, in spite of the frame geometery and the HA apparently according to someone else being too angled, I feel that this is a real bargain, especially for someone like me who probably for a long while at least, have the guts to properly bomb it down some steep runs and really put it through it's paces!!??
Many thanks!!
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Comments
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The head tube angle is really weird, if the geometry chart is correct. The TT length is very short as well, and doesn't change for larger sizes. It's enough that I would actually assume the chart was wrong if it didn't seem to be backed up by the very steep looking head tube angle in the picture.
With the head tube angle, it's fairly steep even with a 140mm fork, which will make the bike twitchy. The bigger problem is that as the fork compresses, the angle will steepen even more. I think it would be pretty weird to ride, and not particularly pleasant, especially on the steep stuff.
Most modern XC bikes, which generally have the steepest angles of all mountain bikes, tend to have a head tube angle around 68-69 degrees with a 100mm fork. For a hardtail with a 140mm fork, I'd expect a head tube angle of at most 66 degrees.
The top tube length could be a problem as well. If you're quite short it could work, if not then you'll have problems. I'm around 180cm (6 foot) tall, and I would ride a bike with a TT length of at least 620mm for an XC bike, longer for a trail bike.
Both of these issues will have the result of putting you too far over the front of the bike, especially when the fork compresses. You may find yourself really struggling on steep stuff, and having a tendency to go over the bars. Long story short, if the geo chart is correct, I'd be sending it straight back.0 -
Deffo something wrong with that geometry chart.0
