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Merlin Malt 2 Frame (09) | $330.44
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Merlin Malt 2 Frame

BikeRadar verdict

4 out of 5 stars

"As much trail bike as most riders will ever need for less than £200. That sounds like a bargain to us"

By Guy Kesteven & Steve Worland

Lancashire mail-order specialists Merlin Cycles have always been one of our recommended sources of good, honest, high-value framesets.

The Malt 2 is the second sibling in a four-frame family that ranges from the superlight £399 Malt 4 to the What Mountain Bike Bike of the Year finalist Malt 1 (£140).

By spending an extra £60 on the Malt 2, though, you get a double-butted Kinesis frame, which not only gives a very reasonable, raceable weight chassis but also translates into a noticeably more cultured ride on the trail.

While it’s officially set up for a 100mm fork you can run a 120mm for a taller, slacker trail feel. Whether you’re climbing, descending or charging round the woods it’s obedient, enthusiastic and never feels like it’s overwhelmed, wherever you take it.

Neat machined dropouts include a replaceable hanger for easy crash repair, too. Incidentally, Malts 3 and 4 offer similarly balanced handling but in progressively lighter and stiffer race-style rigs.

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Specification

Name:
Malt 2 Frame (09)
Built by:
Merlin
Price:
$330.44

Weight (kg):
1.82 kg
Available Sizes:
15 Inches, 17 Inches, 19 Inches cm
Available Colours:
Titanium
Year:
2009

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