{"id":20511,"date":"2017-09-07T13:58:12","date_gmt":"2017-09-07T12:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/?p=20511"},"modified":"2017-09-07T13:58:12","modified_gmt":"2017-09-07T12:58:12","slug":"tips-tough-bike-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/tips-tough-bike-test\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for a Tough Bike Test…"},"content":{"rendered":"

So where’s the best place to test a bike? Not just a pootle around the lanes by a flabby cycling journo, spouting on about the bikes ‘epic levels of stiffness’ but properly<\/em> TEST a bike?<\/p>\n

Here’s how we tested two Merlin bikes, which we our very proud to sell…<\/p>\n

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Race Test<\/h2>\n

We know Belgium is pretty good place for bike riding.\u00a0\"\" It’s an even better place for racing…<\/p>\n

Three months ago we were approached by former Team Wiggins rider, Dan Patten to see if he could borrow a Nitro SL. Dan had ridden the Nitro in Belgium for us back in February for some photos and video promo’s – he loved the bike in those chilly February rides and we were his first contact when he found himself requiring a bike.<\/p>\n

Great all-rounder<\/h2>\n

Since taking delivery of the Nitro SL, Dan has had a string of top 10 rides in Kermesses (Between a Criterium and Road Race) around Flanders and loves the ride of the Nitro SL.<\/p>\n

“Yes the Nitro is great, it rides really smoothly and is strong, enough to take the cobbled climbs and sprints in its stride”<\/p>\n

Dan continued, “It’s combination of neutral handling, stiffness and forgiving ride are very rare indeed – I love it!”<\/p>\n

Not just at home clattering across the Belgian pave, the Nitro’s comfort lends itself to long days in the saddle too, perfect for sportives and general riding.<\/p>\n

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Dan takes a break Training in Italy<\/p>\n

Race Pedigree<\/h2>\n

So with thousands of k’s of training and hundreds\"\" of kilometres racing over all sorts of terrain, the Nitro is going well. The Nitro SL is made in Belgium for Merlin, by our big name Belgian bike manufacturer. With their branding, this same frame has proved itself as the ‘go to’ bike for comfort and performance at World Tour Team level in 2016.<\/p>\n