Check out what the workers at Merlin are using!
In our first Weblog, we check out my newly constructed Kinesis GX Race gravel bike.
As one of many Buying Staff at Merlin, I get to have a look at the entire new and glossy bits of package 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 using 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 develop into my go-to using type. Bored of using on the roads on a regular basis with drivers that don’t see you, I’ve loved heading off the overwhelmed path and exploring the quieter lanes and bridleways. My first gravel bike was a stupendous metal one however at all times had the burden penalty that the fabric offers. With the plan of using some gravel occasions in 2025, and never eager to go carbon, I selected the sunshine GX Race from UK Based mostly Kinesis. An alloy body with all of the anticipated fashionable options of 45mm tyre clearance, Di2 compatability, tapered headtube and most significantly for UK using, a threaded backside bracket! Matched up with a full carbon fork from the consultants 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 pace Shimano GRX. It’s not the freshest 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 regular using. I at all times use an XT stage cassette relatively 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
Among the best locations to spend cash on a motorcycle is certainly the wheels and I’ve been utilizing the Zipp 303 Firecrests for a couple of years now. Light-weight, easy rolling and a large inside rim width they’re excellent for gravel using 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 journey, decrease rolling resistance and wonderful grip ranges over ‘regular’ vulcanized tyres, after getting ridden on handmade tyres you received’t return.
Ending Equipment
Coming from a mountain bike background, I’ve used Thomson for years. They’re recognized for reliability, clear seems and robustness. I made a decision to not use the conventional flared gravel bar nonetheless, 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 journey on the drops anyway. The brand new G2 Stem additionally seems unbelievable and finishes the cockpit off properly. Bar tape is from Lizard Skins and is the three.2mm thickness which provides further cushioning when off-road.
Full Construct Listing
Rider Information
