Opinions on Merlin Malt

[bowsie]

Hey,


Has anyone ever had a go of the Merlin Malt 2.


http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=50&categoryId=39


Seems to have quality compnents for the price. Reba SL, SLX groupset for around 800 bones.


Apart from parts how does the frame compare to the standard brands like Giant or Trek.


Would Malt2 stand up to XTC??


Anyone have an opinion on them?


Thanks

Brian

[NigelS]

I bought one in 2005.


I love the bastard. It's RED. I splashed out on a full XT build with a Magura Asgard fork. It was around 850 of their sterlings at the time. Unfortunately It isn't built up at the moment, nor will it be until I'm back on the bike. I'd offer you a go of it otherwise.


I much prefer it to any of the similarly priced XTCs that I've ridden.


That SLX groupset is new to be, but it looks pretty good. BEEFY, if you will.


My only gripe is that they didn't give me any stickers for the frame. It did give the impression of a more 'custom-build' bike though :P Also, the paint chipped and rubbed off fairly easily.


Sweet ride though.

[Morgan]

It looks like a tidy frame from the picture. You won't go wrong with the parts on it either. Merlin's hand-built wheels are very reliable too. I believe it's the current LX components - not the new SLX.