New bike

noob · 17 May 2006 at 21:54

I'm thinking about getting a new bike I've heard a few people rave about Rock Lobsters. I think they are excellent value, considering the kit you get. Any opinions?

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/Rock_Lobster_bikes.html - Rock Lobster TEAM TITANIUM 06

I won't bother with any upgrades because the kit is top notch.

benjo plz. · 17 May 2006 at 21:54

They're good bikes. What price range you at?

noob · 17 May 2006 at 21:57

Don't really want to spend more than 1.5k

benjo plz. · 17 May 2006 at 22:01

For 1.5K the Whyte 19 gets my vote (but unless your a medium, the price has gone up). Never seen a direct comparison between it and the Merlins though.

noob · 17 May 2006 at 22:04

Phnom_Penh said:
For 1.5K the Whyte 19 gets my vote. Never seen a direct comparison between it and the Merlins though.

I've already got a Whyte.

A Whyte 46. The thing that draws me to the Merlin is the Titanium frame they are lovely to ride. I think Aluminium can be a bit stiff.

benjo plz. · 17 May 2006 at 22:19

noob said:
I've already got a Whyte. A Whyte 46. The thing that draws me to the Merlin is the Titanium frame they are lovely to ride. I think Aluminium can be a bit stiff.

Damn

. Is it a MKII?.

The Ti Lobster's meant to feel too much like a aluminium frame, due to stiffness from having square butted tubes (or something). Probably worth checking out a 2006 review. If you did decide to get one, I'd get the frame only, and build it up, as the groupset looks pretty poor.

SpeedFreak · 17 May 2006 at 22:26

I would probably go for the Tig team SL and get a fork upgrade to be honest. The mx comps are OK, but by no means great. 400 quid will get a nice set of Fox's and as hard as aluminium frames are, going from Alu to Ti, makes little percievable difference, especially when your ass is used to the lovliness of a 46

chris_r · 17 May 2006 at 23:13

I think Cannondales are awesome, i am sure some of those are within your price range?

noob · 17 May 2006 at 23:31

Phnom_Penh said:
Damn . Is it a MKII?.

The Ti Lobster's meant to feel too much like a aluminium frame, due to stiffness from having square butted tubes (or something). Probably worth checking out a 2006 review. If you did decide to get one, I'd get the frame only, and build it up, as the groupset looks pretty poor.

naa it's the first, although I've spent over 3.5k (including cost of bike lol) on it though.

I might see if I can get a testride with the Ti. A lot of bikes I feel you are paying for the name. I was thinking of getting an Orange but the kit you get is poor.

Cheers guys.

benjo plz. · 18 May 2006 at 16:37

chris_r said:
I think Cannondales are awesome, i am sure some of those are within your price range?

Cannondales are pretty sweet, but they're very expenisve, at a push you could get a F1000 slightly over 1.5K, but tbh, its better value to get a different bike.