Weaknesses: A bit pricey. Erm, top cap design's a bit dull? Otherwise can't really fault it.
Overall: This came fitted to my Merlin Malt 1. It's now just a few months shy of its 3rd birthday and can't have been cleaned/regreased more than 3 times since I got it, yet upon inspection tonight the bearings still feel (almost) as smooth as they were when it was new. I've been really impressed by its durabiliy, and have never had any problems with performance since it was fitted.
Excellent headset, if I could find it a bit cheaper then I'd probably buy it again when mine finally conks out. If it does...
'A FANTASTIC VALUE BIKE, WITH VERSATILE SPEC OPTIONS.'
Strengths: Merlin is a small mail order company which offers a small range of great value bikes at some of the most competitive prices around.
Take the Malt 1- a full groupset of ever reliable deore kit, a hand built wheelset, hydraulic disc brakes, the excellent MX Comp forks and a full FSA finishing kit all for £550. This spec is far better than anything you’ll find on the competition at this price point, and also ensures that the overall weight of the bike is low, around 28lbs- a fact which comes as a real bonus on those tough climbs
The ride of the Merlin is great too- this isn’t a bike that only looks good on paper. The front end feels quick and responsive, with all the correct angles and tube lengths to allow it both to be worked through technical singletrack with ease, and remain comfy on those plain fireroad sections. The power transfer on the cranks feels excellent, and the MX Comp fork eats up the bumps reassuringly well. This bike really disguises its price well, and when riding it you will have no problems keeping up with riders on far more expensive machines.
The other thing which makes the Merlin such a good choice is the ability to alter the spec however you want to before handing over your money. Merlin will accommodate almost any spec changes you can throw at them, and this means that you can really make the most of your budget.
Weaknesses: There are only two little problems which I can find with this bike: Firstly the back end can feel pretty hard at times, especially with the relatively thin tyres supplied. However this is a problem experienced with most aluminium frames, and can be eased by putting a fatter tyre on the rear. Second is the rear mech hanger, I have managed to break or bend two of these in just over a year of owning the bike. Although it is not a problem that I am aware other riders have experienced, it is worth bearing in mind.
Also worth remembering is that you have to add the cost of pedals and £15 postage to any price Merlin quotes you for a bike. Otherwise, no complaints.
Overall: Overall I would say the Malt 1 is an excellent bike offering a refreshing alternative to the big companies at a popular price point for hardtails. It has a fantastic spec for the money, which can be easily altered prior to buying to meet buyers’ specific needs. It is light, rides well, and feels like a much more expensive machine than it is.
Building times and postage costs should be considered before buying, but overall I would say that, for the money, this is the best XC bike available.
