The eternal "should I buy ?" question..

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May 22, 2012, 06:36:41 PM

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Total Voters: 287

[Jase]

Hi all, been lurking here for a few days and you seem a friendly bunch, so here goes.

Currently in the market for a £1500-£2000 140mm bike.

Was originally looking at an end of line 08 Meta 55, but by the time I got brave enough to part with some £ they'd all gone. 

So, resigned myself to looking elsewhere and had (almost!) settled on a Dawg Supreme, until I checked back on the custom build page at Merlin.

What should appear, but a custom build based around the '09 frame, '09 XT bits and a Revelation fork, all for just over £1700.

Just after some opinions as to whether folks think that's a good deal ?
I don't know anyone who's got the fork, and can't seem to find out much about the '09 XT stuff.
Also, read mixed reviews on Merlins custom build service - good or bad experiences anyone ?

[themossman]

Sounds like a nice bespoke bike, go for it! In my experience, all companies like to provide the best service, however things do and can go wrong with any product. I work in the car trade and they go wrong all the time, best thing to do is not be an arse about it, if you're nice to the people who can help they are more likely to go out of their way to be good to you! I've order stuff from Merlin (and had one of their Malt frame bikes before) and the build and service was faultless. Its often said that someone will tell 10 people of a bad experience but only 2 of a good experience, so ignore the stories and snap it up (before the 09s un out!!)

Oh and welcome to the club!

[cunning-stunt]

Seen nothing but good words about Revelations,and XT has been a solid performer for years.

Had my bike built by Merlin and honestly couldn't fault a single thing. All bolts torqued correctly,brakes working properly,no issues with the indexing etc etc.
Good price for a good spec bike.
Of course,we're a little biased on here but look at other bikes in the same price bracket and there'll usually be lower price componentry for that sort of money.

[Steve P]

I had the 08 build in July.  Cost me a bit more 'cos the forks they specced were 08 130mm Revs and I changed them to 140mm bolt thru Pikes.

The 09 Revs in that build are now 140mm QR and should be fine (and lighter than the Pikes).
Don't think for that money and that spec you can do much better.

On the negative side mine came with play in the headset, bars that weren't quite (by 3mm) centred and a squealing brake.  All easliy sorted.

Remember though:
1. Any change you make to the spec will cost.
2. Price does not include postage.
3. Price does not include pedals.
4. Make triply (is that a word?) sure you order the right size.
4. Any probs can take a while to sort out (unless you're local). Same with any internet supplier.

I'd get one if I didn't already have mine  .

One other thing - Get them to put Mudlovers gear cables on instead of the standard XT cables.  It will cost you an extra £16 ish but the exposed (in particular rear) mech cables on the Meta do collect loads of sh*it and shifting craps out after a while.

P.S They ride just great 

[lamby pie]

I've shopped with Merlin for years now and never had a problem. I got my MiniDH from them last year and they were great. I made the trip up there to try one out (well blast round the car park) and they were really apologetic that the display bike had spongy brakes 'cause they hadn't been bled. I phoned them after I'd bought it for some advice and they were really helpful.

As for Revelations one of my mates has some 08 ones and is planning on buying another set they're so good. I was planning on getting some even after being put off RS by their naff plastic internals (I had an 03 Boxxer), fortunately thats no longer an issue.

For the money I'd recommend it. You'll love it!

[airmana]

Hi Jase,

I had a a custom build from them see my post.  I think it may have just been the apprentice, as many people have had good builds from them.
So if they are offering a build you want you should probably go for it but check it carefully on arrival. 

Good luck

[Playford]

I've had loads of stuff over the years from Merlin, including my Meta, plus brakes, chains, sprockets, pedals, forks, tools, tyres and things I've forgotten. Their service has been faultless and delivery usually faster than Wiggle or Chain Reaction. I had a dodgy shock pump come with the fork and they changed it no problem and they have responded to emails.

Cheers Merlin  .

[robertpb]

I was looking at this build today I'd say you can't go wrong.

My Meta 55 came with a few silly faults from Merlin but were soon put right. It's no good buying an MTB if you can't fix it, there isn't an LBS in the middle of nowhere.

[Steve P]

.....  there isn't an LBS in the middle of nowhere.

How do you know you're in the middle of nowhere, rather than slightly to one side    ??

[robertpb]

Steve,

You are correct.

Out on a run one day going down a path and picked up six punctures, that's OK I said to my friends and pulled out a new tube for the back tyre and fixed the two in the front tyre.

Down the track a mile or two a rock takes the XT mech off, OK again, out comes the chain breaker, now riding a fixed gear.

Couple of miles on we come across a pub, where are we mine host we ask, in the middle of nowhere says he.

So you only have reached the middle of nowhere when you ask a local.