Hey redditors,
My typical use-case:
- 50% – city cycling
- 30% – city park cycling (asphalted roads + moderately difficult terrain, e.g. forest trails and gravel roads)
- 20% – off-city bikepacking for 100-120km [60-75 miles] (mix of asphalted roads + forest trails and gravel roads + occasionally light mud on forest trails after the rain)
- Never – rough terrain, rocky trails, heavy mud, deep sand (unless short segments of such are met along forest trails)
Here are the side-by-side comparisons of these bikes:
Honestly, initially I wanted to go for 1x chainring (less troubles with it being clogged-up and simpler maintenance), but all models except Merlin Malt have a 2x chainring – and Merlin is sadly the most expensive model. Shall the 2x chainring be a significantly worse choice for my use-case? Or is Merlin so much better in other parameters that it's worth to pay more, while the 1x chainring will be a pleasant coincidence with my initial plan?
Which bike do you recommend and why? Any better models for my use-case within the €/$ 1000-1800 range?
Thank you!
by LSDwarf