Merlin Cycles Blog https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/ Entertaining and useful stuff from the world of Merlin Cycles Fri, 19 Jun 2026 14:22:40 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/cropped-MerlinLogos_BW-32x32.jpg Merlin Cycles Blog https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/ 32 32 71084910 Ventum NS1 Road Bike: Aero Speed Meets Lightweight Performance https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/ventum-ns1-road-bike-aero-speed-meets-lightweight-performance/ https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/ventum-ns1-road-bike-aero-speed-meets-lightweight-performance/#respond Fri, 19 Jun 2026 14:22:34 +0000 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/?p=49386 The Ventum NS1 is now available in the UK through Merlin Cycles, bringing a fresh approach to modern road bike performance. Combining aerodynamic efficiency, low weight and race-focused handling, the NS1 is designed for riders who want one bike that excels everywhere – from mountain climbs and fast club rides to sprint finishes and all-day […]

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]]> https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/ventum-ns1-road-bike-aero-speed-meets-lightweight-performance/feed/ 0 49386 Gravel Racing At Its Best: Merlin Cycles x Ventum at The Gralloch https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/gravel-racing-at-its-best-merlin-cycles-x-ventum-at-the-gralloch/ https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/gravel-racing-at-its-best-merlin-cycles-x-ventum-at-the-gralloch/#respond Thu, 21 May 2026 12:57:13 +0000 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/?p=49358 There are some events that live up to the hype — and then there’s The Gralloch! Set against the incredible backdrop of the Galloway Forest Park in Gatehouse of Fleet, the UK’s premier gravel festival once again delivered an unforgettable weekend of racing, riding, tech, community and classic Scottish adventure. As part of the UCI […]

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]]> https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/gravel-racing-at-its-best-merlin-cycles-x-ventum-at-the-gralloch/feed/ 0 49358 Riding Through the Night: Lizzie Takes on The Traka 560 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/riding-through-the-night-lizzie-takes-on-the-traka-560/ https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/riding-through-the-night-lizzie-takes-on-the-traka-560/#respond Fri, 08 May 2026 09:52:48 +0000 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/?p=49337 For most riders, gravel racing is about adventure, endurance, and finding your limits. For Merlin Cycles-sponsored rider and UK National Gravel Champion, Lizzie she discovered all three in equal measure during one of the toughest events she’s ever faced – this years Traka 560! Fresh from completing the brutal ultra-distance event in Girona, Lizzie shared […]

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]]> https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/riding-through-the-night-lizzie-takes-on-the-traka-560/feed/ 0 49337 Join the Ventum x Merlin Cycles Gravel Ride Out at Rivington Brewery https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/join-the-ventum-x-merlin-cycles-gravel-ride-out-at-rivington-brewery/ https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/join-the-ventum-x-merlin-cycles-gravel-ride-out-at-rivington-brewery/#respond Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:55:45 +0000 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/?p=49327 Join Merlin Cycles and Ventum for an evening Gravel ride out from Rivington Brew Co this May, bringing together great bikes, good company and one of the North West’s best cycling spots. Taking place on Tuesday 12th May 2026 at 6:30pm, the Ventum x Merlin Cycles Ride Out promises a relaxed social spin around the […]

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]]> https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/join-the-ventum-x-merlin-cycles-gravel-ride-out-at-rivington-brewery/feed/ 0 49327 Albion Cycling x Merlin Cycles Ride Out & Film Night at Rivington Brewing Co https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/albion-x-merlin-cycles-ride-out-film-night-at-rivington-brewing-co/ https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/albion-x-merlin-cycles-ride-out-film-night-at-rivington-brewing-co/#respond Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:32:32 +0000 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/?p=49318 Merlin Cycles is excited to team up with Albion Cycling for a special Gravel Ride Out & Film Night from Rivington Brewing Co. Tap. Taking place on Wednesday 29th April at 6:00 PM, this is the perfect chance to get out on the bike, meet fellow riders, and enjoy an evening built around everything we […]

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]]> https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/albion-x-merlin-cycles-ride-out-film-night-at-rivington-brewing-co/feed/ 0 49318 Q36.5 Cycle Clothing Now Available at Merlin Cycles https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/q36-5-cycle-clothing-now-available-at-merlin-cycles/ https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/q36-5-cycle-clothing-now-available-at-merlin-cycles/#respond Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:19:36 +0000 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/?p=48521 We’re excited to announce that Q36.5, one of the most innovative and performance-driven cycling clothing brands in the world, is now available at Merlin Cycles. Founded in 2013 by Luigi Bergamo, Q36.5 takes its name from a blend of science and philosophy: “Q” stands for quaerere — Latin for research — while 36.5 refers to […]

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]]> https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/q36-5-cycle-clothing-now-available-at-merlin-cycles/feed/ 0 48521 Ventum GS1 Gravel Bike: A Faster, Lighter Gravel Race Machine – Now Available in the UK https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/blog-ventum-gs1-gravel-bike-uk-launch/ https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/blog-ventum-gs1-gravel-bike-uk-launch/#respond Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:20:20 +0000 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/?p=49288 Gravel riding continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Riders are pushing further, racing harder, and demanding bikes that combine speed, efficiency and capability across mixed terrain. Now, for the first time, the Ventum GS1 gravel bike is available in the UK through Merlin Cycles. Designed with a clear focus on performance, the GS1 is […]

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]]> https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/blog-ventum-gs1-gravel-bike-uk-launch/feed/ 0 49288 Exclusive UK Launch – Ventum Bikes Now Available at Merlin Cycles! https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/exclusive-uk-launch-ventum-bikes-now-available-at-merlin-cycles/ https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/exclusive-uk-launch-ventum-bikes-now-available-at-merlin-cycles/#respond Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:58:35 +0000 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/?p=48341 We are thrilled to announce some major news for Merlin Cycles and UK cycling: Ventum Bikes are officially landing in the UK — and we are the exclusive UK retailer for this iconic performance-driven brand. This isn’t just another bike launch. It’s a game-changer for UK cyclists. Read on to find out more about this […]

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]]> https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/exclusive-uk-launch-ventum-bikes-now-available-at-merlin-cycles/feed/ 0 48341 Zipp 303 XPLR S vs SW — Which Gravel Wheelset Reigns for Adventure & Racing? https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/zipp-303-xplr-s-vs-sw-which-gravel-wheelset-reigns-for-adventure-racing/ https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/zipp-303-xplr-s-vs-sw-which-gravel-wheelset-reigns-for-adventure-racing/#respond Thu, 29 Jan 2026 12:19:34 +0000 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/?p=48496 If you’re serious about gravel performance — whether you’re chasing race PRs, ripping rugged mixed terrain, or hauling the bikepacking load — your choice of wheels dramatically affects how your bike rides, accelerates and handles. Enter two of the most talked-about carbon gravel wheelsets on the planet: the Zipp 303 XPLR S and its higher-end […]

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]]> https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/zipp-303-xplr-s-vs-sw-which-gravel-wheelset-reigns-for-adventure-racing/feed/ 0 48496 Tour de France 2027: What to Expect in the First Three Stages — and Why Chorley Will Be at the Heart of the Action https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/tour-de-france-2027-what-to-expect-in-the-first-three-stages-and-why-chorley-will-be-at-the-heart-of-the-action/ https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/tour-de-france-2027-what-to-expect-in-the-first-three-stages-and-why-chorley-will-be-at-the-heart-of-the-action/#respond Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:10:38 +0000 https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/?p=48503 In July 2027, the Tour de France returns to British soil in spectacular style — and this time it brings three thrilling stages right across the UK, including an epic ride through Lancashire that will pass within a mile of our Merlin Cycles Chorley showroom. Whether you’re a seasoned road racer fan, a weekend rider […]

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]]> https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/tour-de-france-2027-what-to-expect-in-the-first-three-stages-and-why-chorley-will-be-at-the-heart-of-the-action/feed/ 0 48503