Merlin Malt 725 Steel SLX Hardtail Review

Merlin Malt 725 Steel SLX hardtail is billed as a ‘“trail centre destroyer, single track ripper and all-round adventure bike” but we think it should just focus on the latter, as it does a great job of that.

• Brand: Merlin
• Product: Malt 725 Steel SLX Hardtail
• Price: £2,299 £1,599*
• From: Merlin Cycles
• Review by: Amanda Wishart

*we review bikes at their stated SRP (Suggested Retail Price), which is £2,299 in this instance. In the Real World, this bike will always be on sale for £1,599. Which is worth factoring in.

Pros:

• The frame and branding look nice
• Fork lockout is useful for touring
• Attention to detail on finishing jobs, like cable tidies

Cons:

• Geometry doesn’t lend itself to trail riding
• Build spec is a bit mediocre for the (Suggested Retail Price) money
• Seatpost lever is not very nice

The Merlin Malt has been around since the early nineties, in some sort of form. The 2023 iteration is a steel 29er with 120mm fork travel. The 29in wheels bring it into the current century, but the geometry seems to have missed the boat. That said, not everyone wants or needs a long, low, slack bike, so I have tried to test this bike for what I believe it lends itself to best: pootling around bridleways at a leisurely pace.

The frame is built from Reynolds 725, which tends to be chosen for having a bit more flex than the slightly lighter steel alloys, though in both weight and flexibility the differences aren’t likely to be enough for the average rider to notice without a direct comparison using the exact same components. You could buy a really expensive frame using the most forgiving of steel tubing, build it up with a stiff wheelset, firm forks and stiff bars, and it’d feel like a harsh ride. The components need a lot of consideration to make a comfortable hardtail, so don’t be fooled into thinking the ‘best’ steel is the answer to having a supple ride.

The spec on this Merlin Malt 725 SLX model is the most budget build in the range. 12-speed Shimano SLX groupset with a Sunrace cassette puts it close to the bottom spec of Shimano groupsets. The WTB STi30 rims are an XC/trail aluminium rim that I find to be strong yet quite heavy and characterless, so no complaints but also no great ride quality increase from them.

The brakes are Magura MT Trail Sport that have quite a big deadzone in the lever action before you actually feel them kick in, but they’re plenty powerful enough for this bike. I really like the lever shape, they’re quite ergonomic and have a reach adjustment screw.

Being able to lock-out the 120mm fork is a great addition to a short travel hardtail, especially one that lends itself more to touring than trail bashing. I say it lends itself more toward touring because the 71.5° seat angle paired with the 67° headangle put you more upright than most modern mountain bikes. It’s not a playful, forgiving bike. It’s a bike that will get you from A to B.

The RSP Plummet Stealth dropper has 125mm of travel, cable actuation and a very small and rather un-ergonomic lever. The button is quite small and takes quite an intentional press down, however the post itself is really smooth and reliable. There’s no rotational play in it, and it really seems like a perfectly good component just with a lever that doesn’t suit me (which could be changed easily enough).

So where does the Merlin Malt 725 Steel SLX sit in the market? The old skool geometry takes it out of the running for mountain bikers looking for a fun, playful hardtail. The cost also bumps it off any cheap winter bike lists. Bikepackers and tourers would appreciate the short travel and especially the fork lockout, and the steep geometry also suits that sort of riding. Newer riders looking to just get about by bike, maybe give some bridleways a go, or travel off-road with more comfort than a gravel bike, again would find this bike a great fit.

Overall

If you’re looking for a solid, durable bike to put some mileage on with the added comfort of a bit of suspension, convenience of a seatpost and plenty of frame space for baggage, I see no reason not to go for the Merlin Malt. The build quality and finishing touches are excellent, and it is a smart looking bike.

Although I don’t sound overly positive about the Malt, that’s because it doesn’t suit my riding style. I like to play, I want to go fast and I want to hop around and jump off anything I can. The Merlin Malt has been great for riding to and from work on the Pennine Bridleway, so it’s perfectly capable, it just lacks the fun and playful aspects most modern hardtails might bring.

Merlin Malt 725 Steel SLX Hardtail specification

• Frame // Reynolds 725
• Fork // RockShox Judy Silver TK 120mm
• Wheels // WTB STi30
• Front Tyre // Schwalbe Nobby Nic 29×2.25in
• Rear Tyre // Schwalbe Nobby NIc 29×2.25in
• Chainset // Shimano SLX M7100 32T
• Brakes // Magura MT Trail Sport
• Drivetrain // Shimano SLX/SunRace 11-51T
• Stem // Control Tech Lynx
• Handlebars // Control Tech Lynx Riser
• Grips // DMR Brendog
• Seat Post // RSP PLummet Stealth Dropper
• Saddle // Charge Spoon

Geometry of our size 17in

• Head angle // 67°
• Actual seat angle // TBC
• Seat tube length // 431mm
• Head tube length // 100mm
• Chainstay // 435mm
• Wheelbase // 1,000 mm
• Effective top tube // 600mm
• BB height // TBC
• Reach // 446mm

Review Info

Brand:	Merlin
Product:	Malt 725 Steel SLX Hardtail
From:	www.merlincycles.com
Price:	£2,299 (£1,599 on perma-sale)
Tested:	by Amanda for

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