Feature: Merlin Cycles Top 7 Selling Road Bikes

One of the country’s biggest online retailers which also has its own shop in Chorley, Merlin Cycles, tells us what their super 7 selling road bikes are …

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Feature: Merlin Cycles Top 7 Selling Road Bikes

From £1,399 to £3,899.99 here are Merlin Cycle’s Super 7 road bikes which will ensure you not only look the part but also have that feel good factor when pushing on … fast!

The Shop: A4, Buckshaw Link, Ordnance Rd, Buckshaw Village, Chorley PR7 7EL
Online: www.merlincycles.com/

 

 

Merlin Cordite Ultegra R8000 Carbon Road Bike (£1,399.00)

The Merlin Cordite Ultegra R8000 is their versatile, lightweight carbon road bike which they have specifically engineered to perform in sportives, all-day epic rides and even your local weekly crit race. Their 2018 version of the Merlin Cordite mixes rider-friendly geometry with clever carbon fibre engineering to put you in a neutral position on the bike while isolating you from road buzz and rough road surfaces thanks to its cleverly engineered seatstays that give a little extra compliancy.

The Cordite can be successfully raced, being particularly light and responsive. To achieve this we combined the Cordite’s compliant features with a large downtube and bottom bracket junction as well as super-stiff square chain stays to create a frame that is not only comfortable to ride but is also very responsive to pedaling input allowing you to accelerate and hold your speed during fast-paced training rides or races.

The Merlin Cordite features Shimano’s excellent new Ultegra R8000 11 speed groupset which features a new Shadow Technology rear derailleur that gives a lower, more aero profile and increased protection from crash damage as well as a great looking chainset evolved from the Dura-Ace R9100 version which is even stiffer and provides more power transfer than its predecessor. A choice of Shimano or Fulcrum wheels and other great finishing components lets you customise the finer details of this great handling carbon road bike before Merlin custom builds your own bike specifically for you.

Cycling Weekly Review 9 / 10 – “Really comfortable ride without lacking power delivery…”
Road.CC Review 3.5 / 5 – “Competent, easy-to-live-with mile-muncher that’s great value for money…”

 

Merlin Nitro Aero Ultegra R8050 Di2 Carbon Road Bike (£1,999.99)

Merlin Nitro Aero carbon frame built with the latest Ultegra R8050 Di2 groupset

The Merlin Nitro Aero carbon fibre road bike featuring Shimano’s brilliant Ultegra R8050 Di2 electronic groupset has been developed to be aerodynamic, super-stiff and responsive making it ready to race straight out of the box. Each tube profile and frame junction has been specifically designed and constructed to cut through the air more efficiently encouraging you to attack the bunch and hold your speed in an aerodynamic tuck. Merlin’s flagship aero frameset is available in a variety of configurations to suit your riding style and your budget; now the Nitro Aero Ultegra R8050 Di2 offers you all the benefits a contemporary aerodynamic road bike combined with the efficiency of electronic gear transmission.

The wind-cheating Nitro Aero frame and fork includes all the design-features you’d expect in a modern aero road bike including an aero profiled down tube, smooth integration from the fork crown into the frame head tube and down tube, an aero profiled seat tube and big boxy chainstays blending seamlessly into the large bottom bracket area for a super-stiff cockpit that enables you to transfer all of your power through the frame. Internal cable routing contributes to clean lines and an uncluttered silhouette while an aero seatpost specific to the Nitro Aero frameset fits seamlessly into the seatpost clamp.

The Merlin Nitro Aero doesn’t just hold its straight line speed well but also handles brilliantly on the open road and has been engineered to help you descend and corner in confidence. This agile bike keeps you comfortable too, with a small amount of compliance built into the seatstays you’ll feel encouraged to stay in the saddle longer while your average speeds keep on improving.

The Nitro Aero specification features a full Ultegra R8050 Di2 groupset showcasing the latest development in the evolution of the electronic groupset from Shimano. Taking technology from the Dura-Ace Di2 groupset while at the same time refining the previous version of their Ultegra Di2 groupset Shimano have tweaked the ergonomics of their Di2 shifters and included more shifting options to enable you to fine tune your setup to suit you. With a new Shadow Technology rear derailleur that gives a lower, more aero profile and increased protection from crash damage the Shimano Ultegra R8050 Di2 groupset marks a significant development in the evolution of Shimano’s Di2 electronic drivetrain.

A choice of Shimano or Fulcrum wheels and other great finishing components lets you customise the finer details of this great handling carbon road bike before Merlin’s workshop technicians custom build your bike to your own spec. Choose your preferred tyres, stem-length, handlebar profile, cassette, chainring options and more to tailor your dream aero road bike specifically for you. Whether you want to beat the competition at your weekly crit race, are looking to improve your bike split at that upcoming triathlon or just want to enjoy the ultimate aero road bike on the open road the Merlin Nitro Aero Ultegra R8050 Di2 is the perfect bike for you.

Cycling Weekly Review 9 / 10 – “It’s aero without being uncomfortable for longer excursions and competitively lightweight…”

Ridley Noah Ultegra Carbon Aero Road Bike – 2019 (£2,499.00)

The Ridley Noah Ultegra is the perfect aero road bike for those with a need for pure speed. Every aspect of this aero road bike is designed with watt-to-km/h transfer in mind. Ridley have integrated their FAST-technology throughout the frame and fork to create a machine that expertly cuts through wind in both tunnel testing and on the road. So go out, get aero and hammer on it! Nail those Strava sections as you hit your favourite rollers. You’ll return home with that nice high average speed as the bike is made to easily get you up to speed and hold you there.

Frame: Noah 30T-24T HM UD Carbon
Fork: Noah 30T-24T HM UD Carbon

Wheels: Fulcrum FC4 Racing – 700c
Tyres: Vittoria Zaffiro Pro 700 x 25mm

Look 795 Light Ultegra Road Bike – 2017 (£2,849.00)

The Look 795 Light Ultegra aero road bike was developed using extensive wind tunnel testing as part of its design process with the aim of achieving the most aerodynamic tube profiles possible while creating an integrated package that went beyond the typical frame and forks combination – frame, fork, stem, handlebar, seatpost and cranks have all been developed as one to provide a complete aerodynamic chassis. The end result means this out-and-out racing machine cuts through the air efficiently and reduces drag allowing you to accelerate and then maintain your speed more easily when racing.

Frame: Look 795 Light 1.5K Full Carbon
Forks: Look HSC 8 Carbon
Wheels

Wheels: Mavic Aksium
Tyres: Mavic Yksion Elite 700x25c

Sensa Giulia G3 Disc Ocean Ultegra Di2 Road Bike – 2019 (£3,059.00)


Creating a successor for the beloved Giulia is a hard challenge but Sensa have achieved this with the all-rounder which is the G3 Disc. Keeping all that was already good, yet dropping weight, adding comfort and making it more aerodynamic. The Flatmount calipers with cooling-fins and 160 mm rotors, gives you the best brake power and modulation plus maximum heat dissipation. The 12mm Thru-Axles, combined with the PF86 BB and Tapered fork, provide the stiffness for sharp handling and maximum control. To give you the confidence to descent as fast as you dare.

The bike is comfortable enough to finish a Gran Fondo and the geometry is suitable for comfortable riding up to racing. It’s optimized for 25mm tyres, but it can take 28mm as well. And with Aero features such as the integrated cover cap, narrow downtube profile, slimmer seatstays tucked away behind the seattube, and a Smooth AirFlow fork, it helps you to slide through the wind.

Frame: Monocoque Gen5 carbon fiber – ZVC – SAF-design
Fork: Supra Full carbon monocoque AirFlow 1.5

Wheels: DT Swiss P1800 Spline 23 Disc
Tyres: Schwalbe One Performance – 700x25mm

 

Eddy Merckx EM525 Performance Disc Carbon Road Bike (£3,599.00)
Eddy Merckx EM525 Performance Disc Carbon Road Bike
The EM525 Performance is a Eddy Merckx top-of-the-line model, featuring the highest stiffness to weight out of all the Eddy Merckx range. With its integrated seat post and aero style seat stays makes this also one of the quickest bikes out there!

Frame: Carbon Monocoque Disc
Fork: Carbon Monocoque Disc

Wheels
Wheelset: Edco Umbrail Carbon Disc – 700c
Tyres: Continental GP4000S II – 700x25c

 

De Rosa SK Pininfarina Ultegra Carbon Road Bike – 2019 (£3,899.99)

Combining the expertise of two Italian power houses the SK Pininfarina is a true Italian thoroughbred. De Rosa and Pininfarina came together through shared values: both being born from family craftsmanship, the passion for innovation, the continuous search for high-performance. This partnership brought to life a lightweight, aerodynamic bicycle with svelte lines and technological perfection.

 

 

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