Merlin malt 4 or Felt Q920

Hello All, hope you are all well:)
I think i have narrowed it down to two bikes for œ750
The Merlin looks tidy and i hear nothing but good reviews about merlin, for the price though it only has deore i think, but maybe the rest of the bike is a great foundation.
The Felt also looks tidy slightly better spec with lx and xt gubbins but is it as good a bike as the merlin...
doubt i will get to try these before i get one, so any advice would be appreciated, also have i over looked any other decent bikes?
Thanks for any advice:)
I think i have narrowed it down to two bikes for œ750
The Merlin looks tidy and i hear nothing but good reviews about merlin, for the price though it only has deore i think, but maybe the rest of the bike is a great foundation.
The Felt also looks tidy slightly better spec with lx and xt gubbins but is it as good a bike as the merlin...
doubt i will get to try these before i get one, so any advice would be appreciated, also have i over looked any other decent bikes?
Thanks for any advice:)
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Most important thing though is to test and make sure you get a bike thats the right size and you feel most comfortable with. I realise its hard with Merlin and that must form part of your decision making.
Other bikes to look at in the œ750 range are the Specialized Rockhopper comp, Trek 6700 (œ800 but you can prob get a discount), Scott Reflex 10.
my photos NYM biking routes My full Suss My Hardtail
My full Suss
I can't comment on the Felt but I bought a Malt 4 at the beginning of this year.
I was looking at a Rockhopper Pro Disc and had a few test rides on a 17" and a 19" frame. The 17" felt more nimble for trails etc. I'm 5'11" btw.
Then I decided to have a trip upto Merlin as I read the WMB review from last year.
Totally different bike in standard form but something still didn't feel right. The guy's then made a few adjustments by changing to a 90mm stem, setting up the fork for my weight and then things felt so right.
I made my choice there and then for a 17" frame and we discussed the spec for my purchase.
Nigel told me that the Deore kit was good enough and will wear out first anyway so I should look at putting the money towards more important things.
I opted for XT hubs, Reba forks, 90mm stem, Hope mini brakes and a better saddle.
My girlfriend was also looking for a bike and decided that this was also good for her. She only changed the forks to the Rebas and also XT hubs. The standard Megura brakes are IMHO very good and maintenance free.
All in all both of us are well happy with the Malt 4 and riding the likes of Llandegla and the Marin at BYC they are well suited.
I had my concerns when riding CYB but this is a very rocky ride and I now know I just need to improve my technique.
Ask any Malt 4 owner and they will say good things.
I'm no expert but I / we both hope this helps..!
Cheers
Marco
Malt 4
Right i'm sold on the Merlin, i should of said though that my insurance (after my giant got nicked:() will only go through halfords so i am hoping i still can get one, as i have no clue how these things work halfords say they can get me almost any bike but only at rrp, but as the malt 4 is rrp anyway hopefully wont be a problem...
my photos NYM biking routes My full Suss My Hardtail
My full Suss
Do like the trek and the scott, for some strange reason i just wanted something a bit more unique sort of thing, but any decent bike is better than none
Make sure you get the rebas though - they set the bike up perfectly.
I've certainly had no regrets with mine.
Malt 4
Orange P7 - current rebuild
Deliverance
Orange P7 - current rebuild
Deliverance
If thats the case i might try moaning at the insurance peeps, you never know..
Do like the trek and the scott, for some strange reason i just wanted something a bit more unique sort of thing, but any decent bike is better than none
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I hope you can, the Merlin is well worth getting.
my photos NYM biking routes My full Suss My Hardtail
My full Suss
I think juankerr got his Malt 4 through Halfords.
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I did, though it was through Cycle 2 Work scheme rather than an insurance job.
my photos NYM biking routes My full Suss My Hardtail
My full Suss