So (still) thinking of building a gravel bike.
I had thought of getting the Merlin Malt G2 Claris and just changing/swapping/selling the bits I didn’t want (wheels & drive train…).
Was going to go 1×9 Microshift with dropper post, only the Merlin frames don’t have dropper routing and the G2 is all external routing and the G2X is internal.
So thinking now that frame only & build up will be the better way of doing it – already have a spare set of 650b wheels and a couple of other bits.
How do the 2 frames Camino and Malt G2X compare?
Prices are pretty similar and the G2X comes with a head set.
I’ve got a G2P (which I think is the same frame) – I think you could probably get wider tyres on than quoted.
I’ve just fitted 700c x 38 Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres (which are supposed to come up wider than quoted) and there’s still a fair bit of clearance around the stays, however mudguard clearance on the back is getting very tight between the tyre and the mudguard/seatstay bridge.
It’s worth bearing in mind that some of the Merlins don’t come with drillings for front mudguards in the fork crown, but some others do. Mine did, someone else on here has one that didn’t.
If I wanted to build a ‘full on’ gravel (or bikepacking) bike, I’d probably go for the Sonder. I’d say that the Merlin is it the ‘road’ end of the gravel spectrum, the Sonder more at the ‘Gnarrvel’ end 😉
It’s worth bearing in mind that some of the Merlins don’t come with drillings for front mudguards in the fork crown
That is me. The lower mounts were inserted back to front, the top mounts / bolts missing altogether.
I have used zip ties and velcro, but it is not as secure as I would hope for.
As above, it is designed around skinnier tyres and a slightly steeper/CX/lower at front geometry that the Sonder. I like the bike, it does my 80% road riding, commuting, forest tracks and general ‘do it all’ riding well.
I would though like a higher front, wider tyre clearance and more mounts. Just like the Sonder…
(and I would probably go more a touring bike, complete with flat bars if I did it again…)
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kT7vUW]Strathyre, Balqhidder and Inverlochlarig[/url] by Matt, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2knyXke]Merlin G2P Gravel Bike[/url] by Matt, on Flickr