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Felt F75 or Merlin FF1 105

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  • October 15, 2016 at 11:06 am #26389
    Jimjiber

    Thanks to all the helpful comments in my other first bike thread, I have narrowed it down to these two bikes:

    https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-ff1-105-mix-road-bike-84204.html

    https://www.merlincycles.com/felt-f75-road-bike-2016-93834.html

    Similar price and similar spec. I slightly prefer the look of the Merlin.

    Is one more suitable for a novice, due to geometry, stiffness etc?

    Also, can get shoes and Shimano clippy pedal thingies bundled with the Merlin for an extra £29. Is that worthwhile? I was just going to put some flat pedals with toe clip (cage) things on for starters.

    Not sure if starting a new thread for this was the right thing to do. Other thread was getting cumbersome, that’s all!

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Viewing 6 replies - 16 through 21 (of 21 total)
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  • October 16, 2016 at 12:10 pm #880157
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    hennahairgel

    I’d go for the Felt, but then

    I’d go for the Felt, but then I’m on my 4th Felt so I would say that! It’s half a kilo lighter and looks pretty in white.

     

    I’ve never had a problem with the Felt wheels, and anyway they are a good part to upgrade in the future and make a large difference to the ride.

     

    Also the Felt is originally £170 more  which must represent better quality somewhere.

    October 15, 2016 at 7:59 pm #880155
    0
    BobbyG

    I should also say that whilst

    I should also say that whilst the shoes ain’t the best in the world, they’d be more than adequate to get you started, and if you got that £29 deal then they’ve effectively cost you about a fiver!

    October 15, 2016 at 7:56 pm #880153
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    BobbyG

    Difficult to say about the

    Difficult to say about the wheels. Mine came with Mavic CXP22s which I fairly quickly changed to a set of Mavic Kyserium Elites. I guess all I can do is point to the overall weight again (the F75 being lower)

    Additionally it’s worth noting that the same shoes/pedals are available in a package for £45 anyway….to be fair maybe you could use them as a bargaining tool, and ask for the £29 bundle on the F75, but that’s because I’m pro the F75!

    October 15, 2016 at 3:29 pm #880151
    0
    Jimjiber

    The shoes are these btw
    The shoes are these btw

    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/clothing/shoes/product/review-flr-f-35-14-48070/

    October 15, 2016 at 3:17 pm #880149
    0
    Jimjiber

    BobbyG wrote:

    BobbyG wrote:

    I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you that my recommendation is the Felt 🙂

    it really is a very nice “first” bike. It’s well specced, and well finished. Mine has seen me right for the past 2 years and the upgrades I’ve made to it mean I’m not looking to change it anytime soon. 

    Adding clipless pedals & shoes for £30 is pretty incredible frankly, which would lead me to worry that the shoes could be pretty horrific (the pedals are worth nearly £30 alone)

    I can’t really provide an opinion on the Merlin, but I can see that it is heavier and has an inferior chainset (lower grade Shimano as opposed to Shimano 105). Also the Merlin appears to have a slightly less aggressive geometry, whereas the Felt is definitely quick, and with a track at your disposal (I think you mentioned in your original post) you would definitely feel the difference.

    N.B. I was a novice when I bought mine!

    Good luck!

    Thanks Bobby. The Merlin seems to have better wheels but I think that’s the only because I know nothing about the Felt wheels!

    October 15, 2016 at 2:46 pm #880147
    0
    BobbyG

    I’m sure it will come as no

    I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you that my recommendation is the Felt 🙂

    it really is a very nice “first” bike. It’s well specced, and well finished. Mine has seen me right for the past 2 years and the upgrades I’ve made to it mean I’m not looking to change it anytime soon. 

    Adding clipless pedals & shoes for £30 is pretty incredible frankly, which would lead me to worry that the shoes could be pretty horrific (the pedals are worth nearly £30 alone)

    I can’t really provide an opinion on the Merlin, but I can see that it is heavier and has an inferior chainset (lower grade Shimano as opposed to Shimano 105). Also the Merlin appears to have a slightly less aggressive geometry, whereas the Felt is definitely quick, and with a track at your disposal (I think you mentioned in your original post) you would definitely feel the difference.

    N.B. I was a novice when I bought mine!

    Good luck!

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