Our new road bike has finally landed and we think the new Merlin Performance Road PR7 is one of the best entry level road bikes money can buy. So let’s have a look at what exactly has got us all excited down at Merlin HQ.
First of all let’s talk about those looks
This bike has been designed in the UK by our very own in house team and you can tell they spent lots of time on it.
At first glance you’d be forgiven for thinking that this is a bike costing twice the price. The forming of the top tube is a detail usually reserved for bikes at the higher end of the price bracket and the paint and graphics finish really don’t give any clues to the low price of this bike.
What about the spec?
You’ll be surprised to know that this lovely little machine comes with a carbon fork. A lot of people buy budget bikes and quickly replace the fork as this saves weight and the carbon absorbs the bumps better. Well replace no more!
This bike comes standard with the carbon fork and it blends in nicely to the rest of the bike in the matt black finish. The PR7 (which if you haven’t guessed is named after our postcode) comes with a complete Shimano Claris group which functions in the same way as many of the higher end groups.
Mavic wheels finish the bike off nicely and it even comes with toe clip pedals which means you don’t necessarily have to shell out extra on pedals.
As the winter months start to get nearer we think this is an excellent addition to your bike shed for mashing up the wet and windy roads. Equally this is a great commute bike and would also make a good first bike for your first venture into the world of road cycling.
Check out the full spec sheet below for further details, we think this is our favourite bike right now!
Full Spec
Frame – 6061 Aluminium Road Bike Frame
Fork –700c UD Carbon Road Fork With Alloy Steerer
Wheels – Mavic CXP-22 Black 700c Wheelset
Tyres – 700x25c Road Tyres
Chainset – Shimano Claris FC-2450 8 Speed Road Chainset
Chain – Shimano HG50 8 Speed Chain
Front Derailleur – Shimano Claris FD-2400 Front Derailleur
Rear Derailleur – Shimano Claris FD-2400 Rear Derailleur
Gear/Brake Levers – Shimano Claris ST-2400 Gear/Brake Levers
Cassette – Shimano HG50 8 Speed Cassette
Handlebars – Merlin Alloy Black Road Handlebars
Stem – Merlin Alloy Black Road Stem
Seatpost – Merlin Alloy Black Seatpost
Pedals – Welgo alloy flat pedals & toe clips
Sizes Available – 50cm, 53cm, 56cm, 59cm
Build Time
Please allow 7-10 days build time for this bike. For more information contact our sales team sales@merlincycles.com
Click here to visit the Merlin Performance Road PR7 page on the main Merlin Cycles website
Hi
Great looking bike, I’m interested in this as a commuter.
Does it have mudguard and rack mounts?
Thanks
Hi Csrl (Carl?),
The PR7 frame rack mounts but the fork doesn’t have mudguard eyelets.
Cheers
Hmmm, how would you suggest attaching a front guard?
Modern clip-on style guards are an option. There’s the SKS RaceBlades or the Crud Road Racer MK2 guards.
http://www.merlincycles.com/crud-road-racer-mk2-mudguards-45054.html
http://www.merlincycles.com/sks-raceblade-long-black-57505.html
Any plans to offer in other colours – or is it Henry Ford’s “any colour you like as long as it’s black?”
Colin – No immediate plans no. Sorry!
Ok so what size for 5’11 with 32″ leg please; 56cm? Road bikes are completely new to me lol
Carl – You’re right on the cusp of sizes (as you probably already know) so you’re best bet is to speak to one of customer service people – sales@merlincycles.com or call 01772 432 431.
Could you give me an idea of weight, as I would like to purchase on for my partner. Many thanks
David – 10.4kg including pedals and everything.
Is the bike cheaper if I do not require pedals with it?
No, sorry. Keep the pedals as spares or flog/give ’em to someone 🙂
Bought one of these last week for winter training .Looks fantastic and rides even better. .Best value bike out there without doubt !.
Hi Author,
I’m a professional road biker from Italy. I just read it out here about “Merlin Performance PR7 Road Bike”. I like all of its feature. I just want to know is it available to buy from Italy. I’ll pleased if you confirm me.
Thanks
Cyclist Kabir
Hi Kabir,
Unfortunately we currently don’t send bikes internationally due to courier problems. We are hoping to rectify our international postage for bikes as quick as we can. Please keep an eye on the Merlin Cycles websites and Facebook etc for an announcement.
Thanks, Benji @ Merlin Cycles.
Looking to purchase the PR7 asap.
will call to discuss frame size soon.
Hi Paul,
The PR7 has been a really successful seller so we’re now down to our final few! So don’t leave it too long. The next batch won’t be in for quite some time (2015).
Cheers!
56cm frame with a 53cm top tube even….Should it be 56cm frame with a 56-57cm top tube?
Hi Mr Chateau,
It looks like the top tube measurements are actual rather than virtual/effective. Our error. Will update description page now. Thanks for spotting it! In answer to your question, the 56cm PR7 has a 55.5cm effective top tube. We’ve just been down to the showroom to measure all the models. So they are on the shortish side (as it often the case with starter/entry level bikes). The 59cm has a 56.5cm effective top tube by the way in case you were contemplating go up a size from your usual.
Cheers!
Thanks Benji, That makes sense! Size up from usual for me then.
Cheers
i am 5′ 7″. Is the 53cm frame the correct size for me? If so when will they be available?
A 53cm would be okay. Unfortunately we’re now out of PR7s until the New Year. Sorry!
Is the PR7 going to be on sale again soon?
Hi I was reading a review and the PR7 comes out top of the bunch in the price range so was wondering if you now have any back in stock. I am quite tall at 6 ‘3 so was wondering what frame size would suit
Hi Dwayne. Thanks for your inquiry. The new PR7 should be here in March – sorry! At 6′ 3″ we would recommend the 60cm model.
Why is this £50 dearer. Than the previous release?
Also would you recommend for a first road bike for a 100 mile charity cycle?
The price change is due to a combination of manufacturing costs, exchange rate changes and componentry change (new gearing range with an ‘easier’ top end). It’s a bit of a shame but an unavoidable one. The PR7, with its new gearing ratio, makes for an even better starter bike than ever before though, which is nice.