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Average Rating
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3.33/5
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# of Reviews
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3
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Description:The Works 4.0 is the culmination of intense research and testing to find the ultimate XC bike. Built around durable Merlin titanium MTS front triangle and matched with an ICT four bar link suspension system from Ellsworth are guaranteed a plush, proven ride quality. The Works 4.0 offers a performance partnership never seen in a titanium full suspension bicycle.
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Submitted by
Scott Bays
a Cross Country Rider
from Moncks Corner, SC
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oak Mtn, AL | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$6000.00 | | Purchased At: | warranty | | Strengths: | sweet ride | | Weaknesses: | durability | | Similar Products Used: | niota ti | | Bike Setup: | xtr, crossmax, thompson | | Bottom Line: | Follow-up to post 8 months ago. As you can read below, got this bike because they could not make a Niota Ti for me that would not break (tried 4 of them). This is a very sweet ride until it too broke on the seat tube just below the lower support. I just don't understand it, I'm not over weight at 6'3" 195lbs. Guess I just can't ride a ti full suspension. Still waiting to see what they are going to do at American Bicycle Group. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Bays
a Cross Country Rider
from Moncks Corner, SC, USA
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kokopelli porcupine rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Buttery smooth, climbs well, decends even better, Ellsworth rear end | | Weaknesses: | So far none except cost, but I guess you get what yo pay for | | Similar Products Used: | Niota Ti, Santa Cruz Blur | | Bike Setup: | Crossmax, Thompson, XTR, Fox 100 | | Bottom Line: | After my Niota frame broke 4 times, and extreme haggling with american bicycle group (shame on you guys), they finally gave me the Works and it rides even sweeter than my Niota did (and it was a sweet ride). I'm reviewing only the bike here and not ABG (parent co. of Merlin and Litespeed), so in my opinion buy the bike but beware the company. Just hope the Works holds up. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Kenningham
a Cross Country Rider
from North Wales
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Crested Bute 401 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Alf Jones' Cycles, Wrexham | | Strengths: | It's a Merlin so it's beautifully built (particularly the front triangle), and should be extremely long lasting (the front triangle at least). Very supple suspension action, which feels particularly helpful on steep rocky climbs where you can just sit and spin. Good down hill too, but with only 100 mm on offer one still needs to come off the saddle on really rocky descents. Good mud clearance. No squeaks or rattles yet, but I have only used it for one week (albeit a very tough, wet, muddy week in the Lake District). | | Weaknesses: | I must admit that some of the things I've heard on here & elsewhere about Ellsworth (who make the aluminium back end) did make me think twice about buying this bike. But Andy at Alf Jones' Cycles knows me well & reassured me that with my history of not breaking bikes I'd be unlikely to have any worries with this one.
The only significant disappointment I've had relates to the way the back end was assembled. None of the (aluminium) bolts had any grease on the shafts or heads, & no threadlock on the threads. Completely unacceptable on a bike of this price on sale in the (wet & muddy) UK. The Merlin website contains no advice regarding maintenance of the pivots, torque settings for the bolts, or shock set up. The Ellsworth website is slightly more helpful. I have tried to raise this with Merlin in the US via email, but have not had a reply. I spoke to a chap called Simon Styles on the 'phone in the UK earlier this week, but have still not received any useful information.
Not a big fan of their new decals. I like the old discreet white ones. | | Similar Products Used: | I don't have a great deal of experience with full suspension. Did try an Orange 5 in Glentress last year. Thought it was good, but the Merlin 4.0 is much more supple, especially on uphills or when breaking - I guess it's just a single pivot vs true-4-bar thing.
I've had a Merlin Taiga since 1997 and loved it. Prior to that had an Orange P7 and Saracen Kili Flyer Comp.
Also have a Merlin Extralight road bike. | | Bike Setup: | 18.75" Works 4.0 frame with Fox Float. Fox F100RLC. Chris King headset. Royce Ti BB. FSA Afterburner cranks with Raceface rings. Thompson stem & post. Easton Carbon Monkey riser bar. WTB Ti saddle. Magura Marta discs. XTR pedals, cables, shifters, derailleurs & Ti cassette. Hope hubs. DT rims & spokes. Panaracer Fire XC tires. Weight approx 27 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | I love the ride & quality of the welding. Yes it's expensive, but I've long been a big fan of all things Merlin & Ti. You just can't beat the longevity of a good quality Ti frame. My 10 year old Merlin Taiga spent many weeks in the Alps, banging on the side of a chairlift on the way up, with never a dent & only the odd slight scratch. Bit disappointed with the short comings in the way the back end was assembled, the lack of information from Merlin & their customer support so far. And that's coming from a guy who has bought 3 of their bikes!
If anyone at Merlin is reading, please get in touch. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
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