Pleasure has been mounting right here at Merlin as we eagerly awaited a supply of recent Reynolds Metal framesets. We dwell in a time the place now we have some good decisions relating to bike body supplies; starting from the super-light, stiff and slippery-aero to the virtually unbreakable. That is the place metal is available in.
So what’s it about metal?
Energy
For general, long-term, all-round power, metal frames are a winner. Metal is considerably stronger and extra sturdy than aluminium, making it a superb alternative for an especially lengthy lasting street frameset or ‘bomb-proof’ off-road gravel and MTB frameset purposes. The sturdiness of metal frames implies that they will final a lifetime, if they’re taken care of.
Weight
The draw back to all that power is weight. Nonetheless, let’s be sensible, how many people really want a sub 800 gram street body to journey these completely easy surfaced roads?
Compliance
The journey really feel of metal frames is totally totally different. Metal can really feel extra ‘alive’ than some aluminium and carbon fibre frames, and it tends to absorb roughness in street surfaces. Metal usually has extra flex and ‘give’ than aluminium, which may really feel harsh in comparision.
Nostalgia
I do know, I do know – nostalgia ain’t what it was once… Nonetheless, these of a sure age, who bear in mind using metal body bikes, will in all probability bear in mind fondly how instances have been less complicated, telephones have been saved in pink cellphone bins, different street customers have been well mannered, solely farmers drove 4×4’s, however bikes simply saved working, until you probably did one thing actually daft. My previous plain gauge metal winter bike acquired a good bit of off-road motion within the 80’s earlier than MTB’s grew to become extra extensively accessible. The body by no means broke. One other glowing testomony to previous metal body bikes is the quantity of them nonetheless being ridden in cities by commuters and the quantity of metal classic bikes nonetheless in each day or weekend use. Metal frames have been, and nonetheless are, engineered to final.
Reynolds Tubing
Metal tubing producer, Reynolds are intrinsictly linked to bikes. Their 531 tubing was the final phrase in dependable stable body tubes for many years. 753 was the a lot coveted body materials of alternative via to the 1980’s. Reynolds 520 options comparable properties to 531 and Reynolds 725 options properties just like 753.
Merlin Traditional Metal
Our Reynolds 520 metal street frames hark again to a golden age. The elegant bygone-era styling combines with all the trendy practicalities which make life simpler: English threaded backside bracket, 28mm tyre match, 27.2 seatpost, threadless steerer, quick drop brake calipers. Lugged body building provides to the model quota, whereas comfy race bike geometry ensures that hours within the saddle might be a pleasure.
All-Highway Metal Gravel
A fusion of previous and new, the All-Highway options Reynolds 725 tubing with geometry which delivers a extremely succesful journey, each on and off street. No matter whether or not it’s journey to work throughout the week or heading off bikepacking on the weekend, the All-Highway ticks all of the bins. With additional bottle cage becoming choices, along with guard and rack mounts, the All-Highway has the pliability to adapt to no matter journey adventures you may dream up.
Merlin Malt 725 MTB
The Merlin Malt 725 MTB body is again higher than ever! Our new Malt has utterly been redesigned to go well with at present’s using kinds, with 29er wheel fitment this do-it-all versatile hardtail is a path centre destroyer, single monitor ripper and all-round journey bike. The geometry is greatest suited to a 120mm journey fork however will fortunately take as much as a 140mm when you want to deal with tougher trails. The Malt has stealth dropper put up routing and a lift 148mm axle, it may be constructed with both 29″ or 27.5 wheels (27.5″ permits as much as 3″ tyre clearance).
