JooDude

Hello all, I am wondering if anyone can give some insight about Merlin Bikes. I see the prices are very reasonable and i'm considering this frameset for only 330.00 https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/m...18-114826.html

They have this frame built with both ultegra and 105 groupsets. I do plan to do my own build but i am curious to what others can chime in about this company. This frame in particular is Triple-butted 6061 Series aluminum as their site says, seems good.

Thank you for all the help guys.

mstateglfr 

Looks like a pretty good aluminum frame carbon fork mixed terrain road bike frame. 73deg HTA and STA, room for 32mm tires w/ fenders, and QR dropouts = more of a road frame than gravel to me, based on current trends, but it could be a fun frame for sure. QR disc is hated by some, but quality internal cam skewers should be more than good enough for paved and unpaved road riding.

One thing I cant stand with Merlin, Planet X, etc- the lack of detailed geometry. They actaully even include stack and reach in the frame sizing image, but dont include those measurements. Why not?!?! Why not include effective top tube length? Why not include chainstay length?...really- that should be a minimum! Why not include bottom bracket drop?
I bet these sites lose out on a lot of potential biz just because they dont include some basic and simple numbers. The type of people that would build up a frame or order something online are typically the type of people that understand frame geometry and want something that will fit them well.

Marcus_Ti

It is a generic house-branded frameset from Merlin. Before you celebrate how cheap it is, check applicable taxes and or tariffs and S/H. That $330 list could easily double.

That being said the biggest bugger to me about it is: "Max tyre clearance - 35/38mm Gravel Tyre (without mudguards fitted)"...which means it is a road frameset with no room for big tires. None--especially since they admit 35mm is without fenders. Calling it a "versatile all arounder" is pushing it...that is a road bike frame, with all the limitations thereof. Which may or may not be a show stopper to you. Around here, a 35mm tire would barely get you out of pea gravel parking lots.