Temps around 25 degrees made me wait until 6pm before I ventured out on the Merlin Works 4.0. This was my first serious outing on my newest bike and I wanted to test it on the Meerdael Bloso's and do the Red Overijse Bloso to add some climbs. I put 120psi in the Rp3 shock and 110psi in the Rock Shox Reba. I quickly noticed that 120 might be a tad too much but I left it like that during the ride. My legs were still tired from last weeks' 3000 heightmeters but what a blast this ride was. From the outset the light Merlin (it weighs 10.9kg - only 500 grams heavier than my Litespeed and 100grams lighter than my Moots) felt nimble and quick to react. I have to get used to the smaller saddle (a Xesco 240) but the seating position seems to be spot on . The suspension worked like I expected it to do - I have tested a bike like this extensively last August - and the full XTR drivetrain of course performed flawlessly. The kilometers flew by and before I knew it I was tackling one of my umpossible climbs and taking it without any problem whatsoever. The superb traction through the combination of the ICT rear suspension and the Nobby Nic tyres gave even my tired legs no trouble at all with the 20+ percentages. Downhills were a blast. I flew, only lightly grazing the brakes from time to time and taking everything that the track threw at me. Having 10cm of travel is great. The Hope brakes reacted quickly and consistenly, having been well braked in during my first ride a couple of months ago. The No-tube tyres also made me less worried about risking a flat. After completing the Red Overijse Bloso I returned to the Meerdael forest to add the Blue Bloso and finish with the rest of the Green trail. I was surprised I got 60K when I got home, averaging a low 125bpm heartrate and still having 21.6kph average speed is really very good and a sign that the bike goes fast without me having to put in a lot of effort. Merlin Magic for sure.
Back home I checked the suspension and noticed I had used 6cm up front and 5cm at the rear. So I will have to drop the pressure a bit in the front and the rear even though I didn't hit any big bumps or serious dropoffs today. Last August I put in 105psi on both ends and I think that will be about right.
Ride Stats : 60k and 615 heightmeters in 2h47 mins
3003/25735
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