Finally Gravel Bike ... Here We Come
11-22-18, 09:29 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Finally Gravel Bike ... Here We Come
Hah .... just ordered a Merida Silex 400 ..... can't wait!!!! 
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/...-400-9361.html
Been into the shop and been measured today, they're supplying it with Panaracer Gravel Kings and happy to change the saddle if I don't like it.
Anybody UK based I bought it from Owens Cycles in Petersfield ... great place, really helpful, measure you properly before ordering and happy to change some bits like tyres if you want to.
Due in Tues / Wed next week .... gosh that's going to seem like ages and feeling like a cat on a hot tin roof already!!!
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/...-400-9361.html
Been into the shop and been measured today, they're supplying it with Panaracer Gravel Kings and happy to change the saddle if I don't like it.
Anybody UK based I bought it from Owens Cycles in Petersfield ... great place, really helpful, measure you properly before ordering and happy to change some bits like tyres if you want to.
Due in Tues / Wed next week .... gosh that's going to seem like ages and feeling like a cat on a hot tin roof already!!!
Last edited by Witterings; 11-22-18 at 09:56 AM.
11-22-18, 09:48 AM
#2
Senior Member
Seems like a nice design. Is there anywhere in the UK to actually take proper advantage of a gravel bike?
11-22-18, 09:54 AM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Where I am on a peninsula we have a choice of taking mainly gravel / farm tracks to get on and off the peninsula which is approx 8 miles each way and a lovely ride ... the alternative is main roads so it's kind of a no brainer and not far away is The New Forest which has 100 miles of gravel tracks but will be looking to find some other places as well so I guess certainly for me it is.
11-22-18, 02:57 PM
#4
Sunshine
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Neat looking frame and nice build.
- no idea if the wheels are quality or cheap, I would hope they are serviceable. I'm guessing they are on the heavy side of things based on the overall weight, but that's pretty common.
- the XL size is huge! Giant stack and reach. Really neat that they have a legitimate large frame.
- how much tire clearance is there? Odd that it isnt mentioned.
- cost?
- no idea if the wheels are quality or cheap, I would hope they are serviceable. I'm guessing they are on the heavy side of things based on the overall weight, but that's pretty common.
- the XL size is huge! Giant stack and reach. Really neat that they have a legitimate large frame.
- how much tire clearance is there? Odd that it isnt mentioned.
- cost?
11-22-18, 04:20 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I googled it and found some sites / threads saying up to 43/44mm max and one reported as high as Chwalbe Big Apples at 2.35" on 650b's, I'm starting with 38mm but may possibly swap the front to 43mm at some stage if I get much jarring come through the bars.
11-23-18, 04:26 PM
#6
Member
Lovely looking bike there Neville, nice spec with 105 and hydro too! I sure you’ll have plenty of fun on that ��
11-23-18, 06:29 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thank you
and must admit it was all about the spec and thought it was worth spending the extra as hopefully this'll be a "bike for life" ... not just for Xmas 
It's B'day money (from October) and Xmas from all of my family and e-baying some bits from hobbies I'm not so involved in anymore that's funded it.
I'll try and get some pics with it out on gravel over the next few weeks and whilst we have some lovely scenery / tracks around here, I'd love to take it out some other countries (mainly the US) where it looks like it's mile after mile of gravel tracks.
I mentioned in another post but the "Gravel Ride Pics" thread ... irrespective of whether you were "into" cycling or an occasional cyclist .... any person that can even sit on a bike would want to ride a bike in an awful lot of those places and they'd enjoy it .... but for a serious cyclist it'd be heaven
!!!!
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