500 Euro face-off: Merlin Malt vs. Specialized Hardrock Pro

DirkVoodoo

Guys, I need your help.

Ok, after one brief afternoon of mountain biking I have decided I was wrong about it being the ugly stepbrother to roadbiking, suitable only for knuckle-draggers who wouldn't know euro if it came up and smacked them across the face with a white, fingerless glove.

So, I decided on a budget of about 500 euro and did a bit of reading, asked my two mates who are mountain bikers and finally just went and xopied Kenmc.

Ok, so I haven't ordered the Malt yet, but it seems like the only winner in this category. I mean, its perfect. I've been told those wheels are as good as the ones on my friend's full sus Lapierre so that's good enough for me.

However, I've been looking around and for some reason when I saw the specialized Hardrock Pro I thought "nice". So, I see cycleways have them for 500 euro, but would I be absolutely mad to choose the spesh over the merlin? I know nothing about MTB componentry, but I can see that the merlin beats it hands down. However, I much prefer the frame on the specialized. Is this madness?

Just thought I would get the opinions of people who know far more about mountain bikes than me before pulling the trigger.

TinyExplosions

As a mountain biking expert (*ahem*) I'd go for the Merlin. That way, if it's unsuitable, you can blame Ken and have an excuse to upgrade

kenmc

TinyExplosions wrote: »

As a mountain biking expert (*ahem*) I'd go for the Merlin. That way, if it's unsuitable, you can blame Ken and have an excuse to upgrade

Do you really think it'll be the *bike* that's unsuitable?

TinyExplosions

kenmc wrote: »

Do you really think it'll be the *bike* that's unsuitable?

You got yours yet mate?

Itsfixed

Is this the model you are thinking about? If so, I would go for it too.

kenmc

Itsfixed wrote: »

Is this the model you are thinking about? If so, I would go for it too.

It's last years version i think, it's on clearance - doesn't have the air fork, as Rox Tora 318 instead, same deore set, same mavic wheels

TinyExplosions wrote: »

You got yours yet mate?

Parcelforce have tracked it to dublin at 6pm last night, so I'm expecting it today. Hence working from home so I can let it in when it comes scratching at the door.

TinyExplosions

kenmc wrote: »

Parcelforce have tracked it to dublin at 6pm last night, so I'm expecting it today. Hence working from home so I can let it in when it comes scratching at the door.

Then stick a reply in the Sunday spin thread

CheGuedara

I might be looking at the wrong website but the 09 Malt 1 comes in at 602GBP, so it's a bit more pricey than the 09 Hardrock pro but is significantly better on all componentry.

The entire grouppo, fork, wheels, brakes, and even the finishing kit is better (RACEFACE - nice!) I'd put the Specialized out of my mind and buy quality over bling

kenmc

in the clearance section there's a deore disc special, 449

CheGuedara

kenmc wrote: »

in the clearance section there's a deore disc special, 449

Right so! Better again! Def go for it so Dirk, at that price the Specialized is not worth considering as an option

DirkVoodoo

Cool, thanks for the replies, Merlin it is so. I know its wrong of me to prefer the specialized just because I think it looks better, I just wanted to make sure I hadn't missed something that might make it a competitor besides looks.

concussion

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Ok, after one brief afternoon of mountain biking I have decided I was wrong about it being the ugly stepbrother to roadbiking, suitable only for knuckle-draggers who wouldn't know euro if it came up and smacked them across the face with a white, fingerless glove.

One of us......

Buy the Merlin - don't worry about what it looks like, if your doing it right they all end up looking like this

at1withmyself

Is this the specialized bike:

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=09Hardrock&eid=107

If that's it then I'd definitely go for the specialized. I know the components aren't as good but the frame is a lot nicer which is the basis of a good bike. Over time you'll be replacing components and its easier to upgrade parts then the frame. Also you can go into cycleways and take it for a spin before buying plus local support if anything goes wrong (do bike shops still give a free first service?).

I bought one of them Merlin malt frames before and they do represent good value for money but they are only 7005 aluminium which is one of the cheapest types for bike frames and it shows when you see one up close. I never liked the look of it and ended up selling the frame after a few weeks.

kenmc

It came

DirkVoodoo

Yeah thats the one. Much prefer the frame but the wheels and groupset on the Merlin seem too good to pass up at that price.

DirkVoodoo

Should probably keep my queries here rather than clutter IOB:

Hows the size? Mind if I pop over and check it out, take it down some trails, empty your fridge, etc.?

kenmc

Hard to tell in the living room
Seems OK initially. Sure, come on over, I'll stick the kettle on! I beat you to the fridge though, sorry

DirkVoodoo

Cool, let me know when is a good time that suits ya. And directions, I might need directions

Gavin

at1withmyself wrote: »

Is this the specialized bike:

I bought one of them Merlin malt frames before and they do represent good value for money but they are only 7005 aluminium which is one of the cheapest types for bike frames and it shows when you see one up close. I never liked the look of it and ended up selling the frame after a few weeks.

Got any more info about the aluminium grades ? Everything I've searched for seems to say that 7000 grade aluminium is quite good.

Greyspoke

euro for euro, you will not beat the merlin. The hardrock is specialized's base range of mtbs and while they're pretty tough they're also a bit heavy. Almost every bit of kit on the merlin frame is higher spec than the spesh and the merlin frame is also better designed to deal with the kind of slop we have to ride through here (good mud clearance). I would say that the malt 2 that I have at the moment is an excellent general trail bike.
I say this despite being a big fan of specialized bikes - I've had a few stumpjumpers in the past and if cost rather than value wasn't an issue I'd go for specialized but the good ones are expensive.

DirkVoodoo

Coolo, well so far 99% of people I have surveyed say Merlin and after seeing Ken's earlier on (yesterday?) I can say it looks pretty fantastic in real life.

Seeing as I know nothing about mountain bikes, I shall place my order on monday.

kenmc

Gavin wrote: »

Got any more info about the aluminium grades ? Everything I've searched for seems to say that 7000 grade aluminium is quite good.

Found this
http://www.matukas.pri.ee/KB/alumiinium/AL6061vs7005frames.pdf

My reading is that the 7005 is slightly stronger than 6061, but in a bike you're never going to get close to reaching the elastic threshold of either. 6061 is lighter and easier to manipulate than 7005, albeit more expensive because it needs to be liquid cooled and an expensive heat treatment applied to regain it's strength after welding.

sound_wave

Just had a look on the merlin site. Seems that its sold out now. I was going to pick one of these up on payday and all. Nuts...

DirkVoodoo

Wow, looks like I got the last one!

sound_wave

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Wow, looks like I got the last one!

Lucky bugger. Time to keep the eyes peeled for as good a deal as that.

kenmc

Sell you mine for €10000

novarapid

the merlin loots alot better in kenmc photo's than it does on the web.
Enjoy it kenmc!!

what the rest of ye decide to go for? looking for a bike for €500 aswell?