Designed to cowl any off-pavement floor, from sand to stone (get it?), the brand new Merlin Sandstone XLG gravel bike is available in two variations with tons of choices.
The Sandstone 40 and 50 are for All-Highway and Gravel with 40mm and 50mm max tire clearance, respectively. The 40’s geometry has tight 420mm chainstays and head angles from 71º to 72º. And the chainline is optimized for 2x highway bike drivetrains.
The 50 stretches the chainstays to 428mm to clear larger 700×50 tires, with a chainline optimized for barely wider 2x gravel chainring offsets…however you’ll be able to positively run it 1x, additionally. It suits wide-range gearing and is absolutely suitable with all 1x and 2x gravel drivetrains – Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo.
Geometry is a little more relaxed for mellower, extra secure dealing with. The 52cm frames and up are 71.5º to 72º, which appears counterintuitive. They are saying the larger tires plus elevated fork axle-to-crown top and completely different fork offsets give it extra path. That plus the longer chainstays mix for an extended wheelbase, and that offers a steadier experience.
The smallest two sizes (46 & 48cm) of the Sandstone 50 swap to 650b wheels and have a 70º head angle. Each fashions have eight inventory sizes out there, or go customized for an upcharge.
3D-Printed Elements & Shared Particulars
Each bikes have 3D-printed titanium driveside chainstay yoke and flat-mount disc brake mounts, the latter welded to hooded dropouts. The dimensions-specific double-butted Reynolds 3/2.5 tubes are cold-worked and outsized for titanium’s signature experience high quality and strong BB stiffness.
It has a T47 backside bracket, US-made 44mm headtube, and claimed body weight is 3.0lbs (1,361g) for dimension medium.
Frames begin at $4,700 with construct kits out there upon request, fork and headset bought individually. Improve choices embody customized geometry, inside Di2 and EPS routing, inside brake routing, journey couplers, and additional mounts for racks, bottles, cages, and so on. Each is made to order in Colorado, lead time is ~3 months. Full bikes begin at $8,000.
