Cycling News & Blog Articles

Paul, our general manager enjoys riding on the roads and hitting the gravel tracks throughout the autumn and winter. He recently purchased the Castelli Doppio Winter Jacket and has been putting it to the test! Here’s what he had to say… Upon unboxing, my first impression of the Castelli Doppio Winter Jacket is the undeniable […]

The post The best winter jacket? Castelli Doppio Winter Jacket Review appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Today we’ll take a look at the best ways to carry your cycling essentials. Some riders prefer to save weight and only take vital essentials while others like to take enough kit for a full day of riding (with a packed lunch and goodies). Whatever you decide, there is plenty of choice to suit all […]

The post The best ways to carry your everyday bike essentials! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Last week we caught up with World Ranked 6th, Team GB Pro BMX rider Ross Cullen! Let’s take you behind the scenes of our recent interview video (Click Here to Watch)… Ross made his start as a young rider in Lancashire at Preston Pirates BMX Track and has gone on to compete worldwide, now hoping […]

The post On The Ride With: Pro BMX Athlete Ross Cullen appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Here’s a selection of some of our favourite Gravel Bike Trails on offer in the North West! The Guild Wheel The Guild Wheel is a Merlin Cycles local 21-mile circular route of Preston, Lancashire ridden in either direction. The route can be used as a stand-alone ride or incorporated into an all-day epic. With entrances […]

The post The Best Gravel Bike Trails in the North West! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Here’s our top picks of quality Castelli kit to see you through the Autumn and Winter. Remember, the best possible gear provides the best possible ride! Starting out we have a vital piece of kit to see you through the rainy rides which are inevitable at some point or another… Castelli Beta RoS Cycling Jacket: […]

The post The Best Castelli Autumn and Winter Cycling Clothing! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Here’s some reasons they may be the weapon missing from your autumn and winter arsenal… An alternative to Winter Boots Don’t have overshoes yet? They’re a great alternative to winter boots and can save some space in your shoe rack as well as overall riding weight. Another positive is they can be considerably cheaper than […]

The post 5 Reasons why you may need cycling overshoes! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

As cycling enthusiasts, we’re all familiar with the thrill of riding outdoors, feeling the wind in our hair, and the freedom of exploring new roads. Some swear by the turbo trainer and the allure of Zwift, whilst others will brave the elements year-round… Let’s delve into the benefits of them both! The Positives of Indoor […]

The post Which is better? Indoor Vs Outdoor Cycling appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Here’s our current top selling front bike lights to help see you through the darker mornings and gloomy nights, these affordable choices are all great options if you need a front light to keep you safe and seen this season! (We have included the current prices, which may slightly change, dependent on offers and promotions. […]

The post Merlin Cycles Top 5 Best Selling Front Bike Lights! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

When it comes to riding on a gravel bike, there is mixed opinions on the perfect attire… Casual? Comfortable? Aero? The choice is yours! Some riders swear by comfortable padded Lycra shorts and a well fitted jersey. Others opt for causal baggy fit 3/4 shorts, with a nice loose fitting jersey. There is even now […]

The post What do I wear on a gravel bike?! Some suggestions… appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

This month, we visited Ridley Bikes HQ in Belgium to take a look at some of the very best bikes money can buy… Origins of Ridley Ridley was founded in 1997 by Jochim Aerts, who began as a bicycle frame builder and painter in Belgium. Over the years, the brand has grown into a worldwide […]

The post Brand Spotlight: A Look Inside Ridley Bikes! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

The Merlin Malt G2X GRX is our top of the range aluminium gravel bike. Built to handle a wide variety of terrain including muddy trails, gravel tracks and green lanes. This flexibility allows you to combine roads with a wide variety of other more challenging forms of terrain. I decided to put the it to […]

The post First impressions of the Merlin Malt G2X Gravel Bike appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Over the past few months a few of our staff have put this do-it-all versatile hardtail, all-round adventure bike to the test… I’ll begin by sharing my own personal experience with the bike! The first outing I had was on our staff ride to Rivington Brewery along the Leeds to Liverpool Canal, Healy Nab and […]

The post Testing the Merlin Malt 725 Steel Mountain Bike! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

When it comes to quality gear to take on the trails, Endura quickly comes to mind. They are a brand well sought after for their aesthetically appealing, colour block matching styles and high performing materials. Rocking an Endura jacket or jersey makes you want to hit the trails regardless of the weather. After all, the […]

The post Brand Focus: Endura Clothing for Gravel and Mountain Biking appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Gravel bikes continue to spark the interest of existing and new cyclists worldwide, but did you know this about them?! Historical Roots in French Races? While gravel biking has gained popularity in recent years, its roots can be traced back to early 20th Century France. Back in the day, The Tour often included more ‘gravelesque’ […]

The post 5 Gravel Bike Facts you may not know… appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

As the leaves turn shades of red and gold, and the air gets crisper, the autumn and winter riding seasons begin. While the colder months might present some challenges, with the right gear and preparation, cycling can still be an enjoyable experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best gear you can […]

The post The best 2023 Autumn and Winter Gear for Road Cycling! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Orro Bikes offer an outstanding range covering a vast range of riding disciplines. Here at Merlin we stock Orro’s stunning gravel bikes built for off-road adventures and top quality road bikes for speed fanatics. A favourite brand among both Merlin Staff and customers! Let’s take a look into what each model is designed for… Orro […]

The post Orro Bikes Spotlight: A Guide to their models! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Here are some of the best new items to to land at Merlin Cycles this month… Magicshine: Keeping you safe in the darkness. Since 1999, Magicshine has been focused on outdoor lighting area for 20 years, with the mission to provide high performance lights for cycling. Nowadays, they are continually refining their products, launching a […]

The post Spectacular September Arrivals at Merlin Cycles! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

We recently met with Dave Ryding, Pro British Alpine Skier, a local legend in his own right and a force to be reckoned with on the slopes. Dave specializes in the slalom discipline, skiing at top speed through a course marked with closely spaced gates. Over the years he has gained recognition for being one […]

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Merlin Staff and friends ventured to the heart of England’s stunning Lake District. Exploring a route around Walna Scar, whilst taking in the breathtaking beauty of Coniston Old Man and it’s surrounding landscapes. This area is a must for off road riders, especially those seeking an adventure off the beaten path. The route began in […]

The post Merlin Rides: The Wondrous Walna Scar Loop of Coniston! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

This month we caught up with keen Lancaster cyclist Gillian Sheath, who is currently undertaking her fourth long distance cycle ride in aid of charity. This time she has chosen to fundraise for Air Ambulances UK, “you just never know when you might need their help”. Gillian Sheath is fundraising for Air Ambulances UK (justgiving.com) […]

The post Cycling for a Cause: Lancaster to Lincoln (and back again!) appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.