Check out what the employees at Merlin are driving!
In our first Weblog, we check out my newly constructed Kinesis GX Race gravel bike.
As one of many Buying Group at Merlin, I get to have a look at the entire new and glossy bits of equipment that get launched yearly by the manufacturers we inventory, deciding what we must always vary and possibly extra importantly what we shouldn’t! I’ve been driving for simply over 20 years now, and though I began of on mountain bikes, most of my bikes now have some form of dropped handlebar! Learn on to seek out out extra about my freshly constructed Kinesis GX Race bike – maybe see you at Soiled Reiver!
Frameset
Gravel has undoubtedly grow to be my go-to driving model. Bored of driving on the roads on a regular basis with drivers that don’t see you, I’ve loved heading off the crushed path and exploring the quieter lanes and bridleways. My first gravel bike was an attractive metal one however at all times had the burden penalty that the fabric provides. With the plan of driving some gravel occasions in 2025, and never desirous to go carbon, I selected the sunshine GX Race from UK Based mostly Kinesis. An alloy body with all of the anticipated trendy options of 45mm tyre clearance, Di2 compatability, tapered headtube and most significantly for UK driving, a threaded backside bracket! Matched up with a full carbon fork from the specialists at Columbus with mounting factors on the legs, it’s a nice base for any quick gravel bike.
Groupset
I’ve at all times used Shimano, and to permit me to change wheels with one other bike simply, I’ve stayed with 11 velocity Shimano GRX. It’s not the hottest model of the manufacturers gravel particular groupsets, however I’ve at all times been impressed with its robustness, predictable gear change and highly effective braking. I used to run a 42T chainring however dropped this to a 40T which is significantly better fitted to the hilly Lancashire Moors that make up my standard driving. I at all times use an XT stage cassette somewhat than these from the decrease groupsets as I discover the shifting is way smoother. To go together with the groupset, and since I’m a knowledge nerd, I’ve a 4iiii powermeter fitted.
Wheels and Tyres
Top-of-the-line locations to spend cash on a motorbike is unquestionably the wheels and I’ve been utilizing the Zipp 303 Firecrests for a number of years now. Light-weight, easy rolling and a large inner rim width they’re good for gravel driving with wider tyres. And respectable wheels are pointless with out good tyres, and I’ve been an enormous fan of the handmade choices from Problem for few years. Providing a smoother trip, decrease rolling resistance and wonderful grip ranges over ‘regular’ vulcanized tyres, after getting ridden on handmade tyres you gained’t return.
Ending Package
Coming from a mountain bike background, I’ve used Thomson for years. They’re identified for reliability, clear seems to be and robustness. I made a decision to not use the conventional flared gravel bar nevertheless, choosing the extra conventional street bars. That is simply incase I resolve to enter any cyclocross races, but in addition as a result of it’s not fairly often that I trip on the drops anyway. The brand new G2 Stem additionally seems to be incredible and finishes the cockpit off properly. Bar tape is from Lizard Skins and is the three.2mm thickness which affords further cushioning when off-road.
Full Construct Record
Rider Data
