Check out what the employees at Merlin are using!
In our first Weblog, we check out my newly constructed Kinesis GX Race gravel bike.
As one of many Buying Workforce at Merlin, I get to take a look at the entire new and glossy bits of equipment that get launched yearly by the manufacturers we inventory, deciding what we should always vary and perhaps extra importantly what we shouldn’t! I’ve been using for simply over 20 years now, and though I began of on mountain bikes, most of my bikes now have some kind of dropped handlebar! Learn on to search out out extra about my freshly constructed Kinesis GX Race bike – maybe see you at Soiled Reiver!
Frameset
Gravel has undoubtedly turn into my go-to using type. Bored of using on the roads on a regular basis with drivers that don’t see you, I’ve loved heading off the overwhelmed path and exploring the quieter lanes and bridleways. My first gravel bike was a good looking metal one however at all times had the burden penalty that the fabric offers. With the plan of using some gravel occasions in 2025, and never eager to go carbon, I selected the sunshine GX Race from UK Primarily based Kinesis. An alloy body with all of the anticipated trendy options of 45mm tyre clearance, Di2 compatability, tapered headtube and most significantly for UK using, a threaded backside bracket! Matched up with a full carbon fork from the consultants at Columbus with mounting factors on the legs, it’s a nice base for any quick gravel bike.
Groupset
I’ve at all times used Shimano, and to permit me to modify wheels with one other bike simply, I’ve stayed with 11 velocity Shimano GRX. It’s not the hottest model of the manufacturers gravel particular groupsets, however I’ve at all times been impressed with its robustness, predictable gear change and highly effective braking. I used to run a 42T chainring however dropped this to a 40T which is a lot better suited to the hilly Lancashire Moors that make up my traditional using. I at all times use an XT degree cassette somewhat than these from the decrease groupsets as I discover the shifting is far smoother. To go along with the groupset, and since I’m an information nerd, I’ve a 4iiii powermeter fitted.
Wheels and Tyres
Top-of-the-line locations to spend cash on a motorcycle is unquestionably the wheels and I’ve been utilizing the Zipp 303 Firecrests for just a few years now. Light-weight, easy rolling and a large inside rim width they’re excellent for gravel using with wider tyres. And respectable wheels are pointless with out good tyres, and I’ve been an enormous fan of the handmade choices from Problem for a superb few years. Providing a smoother trip, decrease rolling resistance and glorious grip ranges over ‘regular’ vulcanized tyres, after you have ridden on handmade tyres you gained’t return.
Ending Equipment
Coming from a mountain bike background, I’ve used Thomson for years. They’re identified for reliability, clear seems and robustness. I made a decision to not use the traditional flared gravel bar nonetheless, choosing the extra conventional highway bars. That is simply incase I determine to enter any cyclocross races, but additionally as a result of it’s not fairly often that I trip on the drops anyway. The brand new G2 Stem additionally seems implausible and finishes the cockpit off properly.
Full Construct Record
