Shimano Mechanical VS Shimano Di2 Groupset
Shimano, a powerhouse in the cycling world, offers two primary types of groupsets that have garnered attention and stirred debate among cycling enthusiasts: the... Read more.
Marvellous March Arrivals at Merlin Cycles 2024
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 Th... Read more.
Brand New Evoc 2024 Protectors, Packs and Hydration!
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. ... Read more.
Brand Spotlight: ‘Brooks England’ – Quality Handcrafted Bicycle Goods!
For more than a century, Brooks England have inspired boundless journeys with hand-crafted saddles, bags and cycling accessories carefully built to last. Saddle... Read more.
Why Choose a Shimano Ultegra Groupset? 5 Reasons
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 t... Read more.
Discovering New Cycling Routes: How to Plan Your Next Ride!
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 expl... Read more.
What are TPU Lightweight inner tubes?
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 pl... Read more.
The Top 5 Road Cycling Shoes for Under £100…
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 fo... Read more.
New Arrivals at Merlin Cycles…
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 Ca... Read more.
A guide to Gravel Bike Tyres: The best options!
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 c... Read more.
Bike of the Week: Ridley Noah Fast Carbon Road Bike
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 evo... Read more.
Veloforte Nutrition: Quality, Delicious, Real Food!
Veloforte’s founding belief is that everyone should have access to exceptional quality, delicious, real food to fuel their active lifestyle and endurance ... Read more.
A Guide To: The Merlin Cycles Malt Gravel Bike Range 2024
Whether you are a beginner purchasing your first gravel bike or a seasoned cyclist, here’s three worthy contenders (with plenty of 5* reviews)… Merl... Read more.
Orro Venturi Aero Bike VS Orro Gold Endurance Bike
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 stan... Read more.
The Preston Wheelers Reliability Ride 2024
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... Read more.
The best ways to protect your bike for longevity!
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 y... Read more.
5 Gravel Bikes Under £1500! Great for a Budget!
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 cons... Read more.
Why choose a Shimano 105 Groupset? 5 Reasons…
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... Read more.
The Best New Road Bikes at Merlin Cycles January 2024
This month at Merlin Cycles we’ve had some stunning, shiny new road bikes land on our website and shop floor! Here’s our top 5 new bike arrivalsR... Read more.
Elevate Your Ride: The Best Gravel Bike Upgrades for Better Performance!
Many of our customers and staff have opted to upgrade their gravel bikes, including this recent modification to Mike’s Merlin Malt G2X making it a flat ba... Read more.
Bike of the Week! The Stunning Colnago C68-R…
Our bike of the week at Merlin Cycles is this beautiful Colnago C68-R. The bike stands as the pinnacle of the evolution of Colnago history, it’s where 68 ... Read more.
Conquering Cold: The Ultimate Choice in Cold Weather Cycling Apparel
Paul, our general manager has been braving the cold weather on his winter bike. He’s put together this week’s blog, covering the very best cold weat... Read more.
Kask Protone Icon WG11 Road Cycling Helmet Review
I’ve been testing the Kask Protone Icon WG11 Helmet for over a year now so thought it was time to put in a review. From road rides to gravel trails, early... Read more.
Local Merlin Rider Spotlight: Triathlete Katie
We recently caught up with one of our ‘up and coming’ supported riders Katie Mathison. She is a local Triathlete who has been competing since an ear... Read more.
The Best Castelli Women’s Cycling Clothing Winter 2024
Castelli has been making cycling clothing since 1910 and remain at the forefront of cycling clothing tech. Here’s some of our top Womens Castelli Clothing... Read more.
What’s in the Merlin Cycles Bike Shop? January 2024
This week on the blog I thought I’d share some of the goodies currently on display in our shop! Experience Innovative Design with Ridley Bikes! On our sho... Read more.
New Year New Me? Cycling Challenges for 2024
The start of a new year offers a perfect opportunity to set fresh goals and embrace healthy habits. Whether you’re a long time cycling enthusiast or just ... Read more.
My Top 10 Cycling Things of 2023…
Here’s a round up of my top bikes, cycling kit, projects, rides and coffee stops of this year! First up we have… Century Gravel Ride The most ‘... Read more.
Festive Pedalling: 5 Reasons to Cycle this Christmas…
As Christmas draws closer, the festive drinks, hearty meals, and cosy gatherings can make it tempting to stay indoors. However, heading out on the bike can be w... Read more.
The Ultimate Bike Christmas Wish List! Our Top Picks…
This week at Merlin Cycles, I decided to ask some our staff which bikes they have on their Christmas wish list! Quite a few of our staff members would love to u... Read more.
The Best Christmas Stocking Fillers at Merlin Cycles 2023!
December is here and Christmas is fast approaching! In need of a cycling themed gift for a friend or relative? Look no further, here are some goodies sure to pl... Read more.
Trying out a tubeless bike set up!
Rob in our marketing department recently took a weekend trip to Scotland on his new full suspension bike. Recently returning to the world of mountain biking, he... Read more.
A Review of the Castelli Unlimited Puffy Cycling Jacket
“For when the challenge is distance rather than speed. The Castelli Unlimited Puffy Jacket brings warmth and comfort with looks that are at home on the bi... Read more.
Crono CW1 Winter Cycling Boots Review: Great Warmth and Protection!
The Crono Winter CW1 Boot is designed with poor conditions in mind, making it a great option for winter riding.... Read more.
Riding your gravel bike in the wet and rain?
This month I planned a gravel ride on some of my favourite trails. However, on the day, the weather was less than ideal with the forecast showing 90% chance of ... Read more.
What’s new November? The latest products at Merlin Cycles!
From brilliantly crafted bikes to swanky winter boots, here’s the latest products to hit the shelves this month! If you’re quick you may still take ... Read more.
Black Friday 2023! The Best Deals at Merlin Cycles!
Black Friday Deals have arrived at Merlin Cycles! Here’s some of our top items to consider, you’ll also find our very best Black Friday Bike Deals a... Read more.
The best winter jacket? Castelli Doppio Winter Jacket Review
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 W... Read more.
The best ways to carry your everyday bike essentials!
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 l... Read more.
On The Ride With: Pro BMX Athlete Ross Cullen
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 Her... Read more.
The Best Gravel Bike Trails in the North West!
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-mil... Read more.
The Best Castelli Autumn and Winter Cycling Clothing!
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! S... Read more.
5 Reasons why you may need cycling overshoes!
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 ye... Read more.
Merlin Cycles Top 5 Best Selling Front Bike Lights!
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 opt... Read more.
Which is better? Indoor Vs Outdoor Cycling
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 ... Read more.
What do I wear on a gravel bike?! Some suggestions…
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... Read more.
Brand Spotlight: A Look Inside Ridley Bikes!
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 199... Read more.
First impressions of the Merlin Malt G2X Gravel Bike
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... Read more.
Testing the Merlin Malt 725 Steel Mountain Bike!
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 ... Read more.
Brand Focus: Endura Clothing for Gravel and Mountain Biking
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 ... Read more.
5 Gravel Bike Facts you may not know…
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 g... Read more.
The best 2023 Autumn and Winter Gear for Road Cycling!
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 chal... Read more.
Orro Bikes Spotlight: A Guide to their 2023 models!
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... Read more.
Spectacular September Arrivals at Merlin Cycles!
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 ... Read more.
On the ride with: Alpine Ski Champion Dave Ryding
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 t... Read more.
Merlin Rides: The Wondrous Walna Scar Loop of Coniston!
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... Read more.
Cycling for a Cause: Lancaster to Lincoln (and back again!)
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 tim... Read more.
What type of bike is best for commuting?
As the world embraces alternative modes of transportation and sustainable living, commuting by bike has surged in popularity. Whether you’re navigating ci... Read more.
The Top 5 Affordable Gravel Bikes at Merlin Cycles 2023
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... Read more.
Gadget Game-Changers: Navigating with Tech!
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 ... Read more.
Gadget Game-Changers: Music on the Ride
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… S... Read more.
How to fuel effectively: Reach Peak Performance with Torq!
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 fue... Read more.
26″Ain’t Dead: The Ultimate Cool Commuter and Cruiser?
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 of... Read more.
Celebrating 30 Years of Merlin Cycles: A Grand Gathering
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... Read more.
Ride at your best with Troy Lee Designs…
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 withsta... Read more.
Ibis Bikes Spotlight: A close look at the Ibis Models at Merlin Cycles!
Today, we are shining the spotlight on Ibis Bikes – a brand synonymous with cutting-edge design, exceptional race day performance, and a passion for hitti... Read more.
Exciting New Arrivals at Merlin: Elevate Your Riding!
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�... Read more.