Cycling News & Blog Articles

A first look at the Silca Chain Waxing System including all of the products recommended for achieving ultimate results

The post First Look – Silca Ultimate Chain Waxing System appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Without a doubt, the Continental GP5000 has long been the best selling road bicycle tyre since it was first launched in 2018. Since then, the range has grown, and Continental now offer a number of different versions of the tyre. We take a look at these options to help you decide which is best for […]

The post Continental GP5000 Tyres – Which is The Best? appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Gravel riding has gained immense popularity in recent years, and for good reason. It offers a perfect blend of adventure and adaptability. One of the critical components that can significantly impact your gravel riding experience is the type of tyres you choose. You can adapt your gravel bike to suit your local terrain by simply […]

The post A guide to Gravel Bike Tyres: The best options! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

With the explosion of gravel cycling and events such as Dirty Reiver just a few weeks away, we look at what essentials should be taken whilst out on a big gravel ride. Frame Bags Somewhere to put spares is essential. Brands such as Restrap and Evoc have a great choice of luggage to fit to […]

The post What To Take On Your First Gravel Event appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

German company Evoc was founded by a group of outdoor sports enthusiasts who travelled the world with bikes and boards in search of the best trails and powder. They started designing and manufacturing their own gear, taking into account all their travel experience and the unique needs of transporting their kit. Here’s their latest products […]

The post Brand New Evoc 2024 Protectors, Packs and Hydration! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Here’s some exciting new products to hit the shelves at merlincycles.com in March 2024! Bike of the Week: Ridley Falcn RS Carbon Road Bike – 2024 The Falcn RS is the ultimate road bike for any rider looking to push their limits and take their performance to the next level. It’s created for those who […]

The post Marvellous March Arrivals at Merlin Cycles 2024 appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

For more than a century, Brooks England have inspired boundless journeys with hand-crafted saddles, bags and cycling accessories carefully built to last. Saddles: Excellence for every ride. Since their founding in 1866, Brooks saddles have been crafted by hand to timeless designs and become the choice of discerning riders. From the shaping and durability of […]

The post Brand Spotlight: ‘Brooks England’ – Quality Handcrafted Bicycle Goods! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

The Ultegra Groupset components share aesthetics with Dura Ace, the technology has trickled down too, albeit at a more cost effective price point. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons to consider choosing Shimano Ultegra… 1. Precision Engineering: At the heart of every Ultegra groupset lies Shimano’s commitment to precision engineering. Renowned for […]

The post Why Choose a Shimano Ultegra Groupset? 5 Reasons appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just starting out, finding new routes can refresh your cycling routine and bring new challenges. In this blog, we’ll explore some effective ways to plan new cycling routes that are both enjoyable and safe. Here are 10 top tips to consider! 1. Define Your Ride Objectives Before you start […]

The post Discovering New Cycling Routes: How to Plan Your Next Ride! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

A TPU inner tube refers to an inner tube made from Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). TPU is a type of plastic that features the characteristics of rubber and plastic, making it flexible, durable, and resistant to abrasion, oil, and chemicals. Why you should consider TPU inner Tubes: Examples of TPU Inner Tubes: Pirelli P Zero Smart […]

The post What are TPU Lightweight inner tubes? appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Here are 5 solid options of Road Cycling shoes we have on our shelves at Merlin HQ, all for under £100. But be quick, because these won’t stick around for long! In price order, here is our top picks for Spring 2024… Starting with: Merlin RC1 Road Bike Shoes Priced at: £27.50 Our Merlin RC1 […]

The post The Top 5 Road Cycling Shoes for Under £100… appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

This month we have some exciting new bikes, frames and flashy components to hit the shelves at Merlin HQ. Lets check em’ out! Colnago G3-X GRX RX820 2x Carbon Gravel Bike This stunning Colnago G3-X carbon gravel bike has been designed for fast gravel riding. A true adventure all day bike to enjoy natural landscapes […]

The post New Arrivals at Merlin Cycles… appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

This week we are highlighting a spectacular offering from Ridley bikes: The Noah Fast… The Noah Fast Disc is Ridley’s top-level aero model which has evolved from their popular and proven Noah bike, featured in the pro cycling peloton over the past few seasons. Here at Merlin you can find a variety of stunning colourways […]

The post Bike of the Week: Ridley Noah Fast Carbon Road Bike appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Veloforte’s founding belief is that everyone should have access to exceptional quality, delicious, real food to fuel their active lifestyle and endurance exercise. I have used many of their products to great effect for my rides, gym sessions and long days out hiking. They are always something to look forward to grabbing out of your […]

The post Veloforte Nutrition: Quality, Delicious, Real Food! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Whether you are a beginner purchasing your first gravel bike or a seasoned cyclist, here’s three worthy contenders (with plenty of 5* reviews)… Merlin Malt G2 Claris Gravel Bike The Merlin Malt G2 Claris is the perfect entry level gravel bike. “Love my new bike. Ridden to and from work every day since I received […]

The post A Guide To: The Merlin Cycles Malt Gravel Bike Range appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Orro are known for their focus on performance, innovation, and aesthetics. And when it comes to high-quality road bikes, the Orro Venturi and the Orro Gold stand out as top contenders for any road cyclist’s consideration. Design and Aesthetics Orro Venturi: The Venturi is designed with aerodynamics at its core, featuring a sleek and streamlined […]

The post Orro Venturi Aero Bike VS Orro Gold Endurance Bike appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

On Sunday 4 February 2024 Merlin Staff and other local cyclists took on The Annual Preston Wheelers Reliability Ride. Everyone met at 08:50 for a 09:00 start at the Withy Trees in Fulwood. Paul our general manager and Shaun from goods in gave me all the details of the day and here’s the recount of […]

The post The Preston Wheelers Reliability Ride 2024 appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Keeping your bike in tip top condition will make riding a much more pleasant experience. You’ll likely save money in the long run and get many more good years out of your bike! Here’s our top recommendation for prolonging the life and performance of your bike. Regular Servicing Keep your bike CLEAN! Frame and Chainstay […]

The post The best ways to protect your bike for longevity! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Here at Merlin Cycles we have plenty of gravel bikes available for under £1500! In this blog I will be highlighting some worthy contenders you may want to consider… First up we have two offerings from Ridley Bikes! Ridley Kanzo A GRX 600 Gravel Bike and Ridley Kanzo A GRX 800 Gravel Bike GRX 800 […]

The post 5 Gravel Bikes Under £1500! Great for a Budget! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

A decent groupset ensures a smooth and efficient ride. I (along with many other cyclists) have found the Shimano 105 groupset to provide brilliant functionality and reliability at a very fair price point. It’s never let me down on bikes such as the Orro Terra C 105 Gravel Bike (pictured above) and Orro Venturi 105 […]

The post Why choose a Shimano 105 Groupset? 5 Reasons… appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.