Cycling News & Blog Articles

Looking for a new Gravel Bike? Here’s our top affordable picks to get you started with gravel in 2023… Merlin Malt G2P Tiagra Gravel Bike The Merlin Malt G2 Tiagra is our new mid-level gravel bike. The third generation of our versatile gravel bike range features tweaked geometry, offering more comfort and stability as well […]

The post The Top 5 Affordable Gravel Bikes at Merlin Cycles 2023 appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Whether you are competitive or just a lover of riding, technology can be a great enhancement to your cycling. From ride data to advanced GPS guidance, there is a wide array of tools available for the modern cyclist. In this blog we’ll talk through the advantages of having a GPS device with you on the […]

The post Gadget Game-Changers: Navigating with Tech! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Having your favourite playlist on the bike used to be a troublesome task, but no longer! Say goodbye to the days of wired headphones getting in the way… Shokz have both headphones and sunglasses which are completely wireless and extremely lightweight. Having used two models of their headphones for a good few months now, I […]

The post Gadget Game-Changers: Music on the Ride appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

When it comes to pushing your limits in the world of sport, proper nutrition plays a pivotal role. Whether you’re embarking on an epic weekend ride or fuelling for an important race, your body demands the right fuel to perform at its best. This is where Torq’s range of energy gels, bars, flapjacks, hydration electrolyte […]

The post How to fuel effectively: Reach Peak Performance with Torq! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Some of our staff (myself included), have been reigniting our love for the 26″ Mountain Bike. With most riders now opting for a 29er or Gravel bike for off road riding or commuting, it’s a rarer sight to see a 26″ nowadays… We decided to dust the cobwebs off ours and give them a little […]

The post 26″Ain’t Dead: The Ultimate Cool Commuter and Cruiser? appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

A Grand Gathering! To commemorate the occasion, on the 11th August we hosted a grand 30th-anniversary gathering at the picturesque Rivington Brewery. We started with a ride from our Buckshaw Village HQ to the brewery on our loyal steeds, Paul chose his 26″ ‘old school’ Rock Lobster (and matching full kit), some staff were on […]

The post Celebrating 30 Years of Merlin Cycles: A Grand Gathering appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Troy Lee Designs are well known for their high performance gear for both MTB and Moto. Meaning they only produce quality products made to be durable and withstand whatever you throw at them… A brand well loved by both Merlin’s staff and customers for many years. Not a MTB rider? In our experience the kit […]

The post Ride at your best with Troy Lee Designs… appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Today, we are shining the spotlight on Ibis Bikes – a brand synonymous with cutting-edge design, exceptional race day performance, and a passion for hitting the path less pedalled. From techy full-suspension e-bikes to classic all-day trail centre shredders, Ibis offers a diverse range of models that cater to every rider’s unique needs. Let’s delve […]

The post Ibis Bikes Spotlight: A close look at the Ibis Models at Merlin Cycles! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Here at Merlin, we’re committed to providing you with top-notch gear and accessories to keep you and your bike your bike in tip top condition… Here’s some of our new items! Challenge Tyres: Unleash Your Cycling Potential When it comes to pushing your limits on the road or the trail, tyres play a crucial role […]

The post Exciting New Arrivals at Merlin: Elevate Your Riding! appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Firstly, I will put my hand up. I admit it, I am old. I rode my first bike race before ‘Back to the Future’ was out at the Cinema. That old. Over this time I have heard of lots of ‘go faster’, ‘last longer’ type claims for all sorts of stuff related to bikes. I […]

The post Chain Waxing. Is it Worth It? appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

In a world where we have bikes targeted at every conceivable type of terrain and rider, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the humble road bike can do much more than you might think. A few tweaks can open up new roads, experiences and opportunities. Road Bike TT This year the governing body of […]

The post Road Bike Revamp appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

The week before the Tour De France is always an exciting week. However, there seems to be more than the usual pre-race discussions around the biggest bike race in the world. So which race within a race are you looking forward to… Pogacar ‘V’ Vingegaard The battle for the Tour De France general classification should […]

The post TDF 2023 – Which Race are you Watching? appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

The Orro road bike range offers a wide selection of options depending on what type of rider you are and what type of bike you are looking for. The range is divided into Endurance (Gold) and Speed / Aero (Venturi) models. Orro are a UK based brand, producing bikes from their headquarters in Sussex. Endurance […]

The post Orro Road Bike Range appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

The gravel bike range produced by Orro covers a lot of bases and price points. The bikes are ideal for those wanting the flexibility to head off the beaten track, or stay on road, with a high quality, well specified UK brand bike. Firstly, Orro a rare breed, there aren’t too many high quality bike […]

The post Orro Gravel Bike Range appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

The summer season is well and truly upon us. If you love the warmer days, longer evenings and don’t even mind summer rain, don’t miss any opportunities to enjoy every ride in summer style… Caps The humble cotton cycling cap has remained largely unchanged for such a long time because the original designs just got […]

The post Summer Style appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

The world of bike bags has got much bigger in the last few years. Since the popularity of gravel biking and bikepacking, lots of manufacturers have taken the opportunity to jump into the bar, saddle and frame bag market. Bag for Life The really good thing about saddle and frame bags is that they make […]

The post Bags of Possibilities… appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

There are some compelling reasons for not driving cars as much these days. Over the last few years, as a family, we have been driving less and less. Over the last 4 years I have ridden bikes around double the distance I have driven the family car. So, I set myself the challenge of managing […]

The post Four Weeks on Two Wheels appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

If you are that way inclined, there is no greater feeling than watching your bike’s computer click over into triple digits – 100 Miles… (although 100 Kilometres is a fair bit easier).That’s one of the great things about endurance / long distance road riding, there’s always the next challenge to chase, whether that’s 50 miles, […]

The post 10 Tips – Going for Endurance appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Have you ever dreamt of loading up your bike with essentials and hitting the roads and trails? Long summer days are ideal for Bikepacking, spending time in the saddle and seeing somewhere new. What is Bikepacking? Whether it’s a simple local overnight trip or a multi-day foreign extravaganza, self-sufficient trips away by bike are covered […]

The post Summer Bikepacking 101 appeared first on Merlin Cycles Blog.

Frustrated with only getting out for a weekend ride on your pride and joy? With the longer days of summer, here’s our top 10 Ways to create more time to ride. Why Don’t You… “Why don’t you switch off the TV and go do something less boring instead”, Thats what they said in the 1980’s […]

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