Merlin Ti-any owners?

Uzbek

I'm considering a Merlin Ti frame, either an Extralight or Cyrene. I want all day rideable comfort but sharp enough to feel quick and agile.

Any owners care to share experiences. I've settled on Merlin as i want it to be well made and top quality. i like the aesthetic too.

On know Litespeed/Serotta/Moots etc are options as well.

Kléber

I love Ti frames. I don't ride one now but they are very comfortable and the good ones are so well built. Lifetime warranties and they will give years of service and they hold their value very well. I've nothing but good things to say about Litespeed and Merlin. Both are part of the same company but are still designed by different people and made in different factories.

Uzbek

I've owned Ti before-a Colnago CT2 carbon/Ti mix but it has been damaged and is no longer made. I'm fairly sold on the advantages of Ti just choosing a frame is the difficulty.

itisaboutthebike

American Bicycle Group(ABG) now own/build both Merlin & Litespeed.

I've got a 2004 Vortex - pretty good. I've also got an Airborne Zeppelin - which is alo well made and good value for money.

Aprt from the obvious differences in the actual frame designs Merlins are reputed to be better built , having 'double pass' welding(meant to make a stronger joint tho whether this is actually the case I'm not sure - I'm no metallurgist) as opossed to single pass weliding on Litespeeds. Even tho both are now built under the same house ABG are keen to stress that merlins continue to be built with double pass welding.

I'd also look at the Van Nicholas Aoleus (uses Reynolds 6/4 Ti) - I saw a Ducth guy with one at last years Marmotte and they look just as well built as anything else - even they they're made in China.

Uzbek

I did not realise that Litesepeed and Merlin were under the same company ownership. Not something they shout about on their websites eh!

socrates

I bought a Merlin Works CR in February this year. Must say it is the best bike I have ridden. Comfortable beyond belief and responsive. There are a few road tests kicking around the net. Nothing but praise for the bike - its only limitations are the rider.

BrettBurk

I have a Merlin Cyrene and love it. I have put about 5,300 miles on it so far with just more than half being commuting. I took advantage of the custom option and had S&S couplers built into it so that it would be easy to take when I travel. I also had rack mounts put on it so that when it is in commute-mode I can have a rack and pannier. Basically, I have felt completely at home on this bike whether racing with friends, riding all day in the mountains or commuting to work ( the bike part of my commute is 33 miles one way and 6 the other due to mass transit on the way to work).

I would be happy to share further experiences with you if you are interested, including a series of cheesy pictures through the frame of neat places that I have taken the bike.

I fell in love with the look of the frame - the lack of stickers, the quality welds, etc. Very nice bike.

-Brett

Uzbek

Thanks Brett and others

That's the sort of enthusiasm that sells bikes!

The robust and simple finish appeals a lot as i tend to travel with my bike a fair bit.

passout

I was reading somewhere in the forum about two guys whose litespees developed sizeable cracks in the head tube - I'm talking very near misses. Can't remember where you can find it but worth a look. One guy included pics.

passout

Found it - see page 2 of the (Road) forum list "Good old titanium strong as carboard" is the title. I'd think acarefuly about workmanship and not just the material.

andyp

It's definitely worth looking at the thread passout refers to. You can buy cheap Ti frames sourced direct from companies like XACD in China. The advantage of buying from someone like Merlin is that, as they have a brand image to maintain, if it does have some kind of manufacturing defect then you'd hope it'd get replaced. The likes of XACD don't offer that.

Merlin's reputation is superior to that of Litespeed despite the fact that they are now owned by the same company. I've a few friends who own, or have owned, one and none of them have had any issues with the build quality.

Uzbek

I was aware of cheaper Ti frames and also the Litespeed thread. I reckon that I should have a good realtionship with my LBS if I'm buying a pricey quality frame and I'd expect good care if it breaks; I'm prepared to pay extra for that reputation and service.

Captain Fagor

Uzbek

I have recently finished building up my 2004 Merlin Extralight, which you can see here.

I have only ridden it once (a 45 mile recovery ride last Sunday) so it's perhaps a bit early to give a full judgement. First impressions are good, though. It's certainly a bit "racier" thanks to its short wheelbase than my Litespeed Tuscany and seemingly as comfortable as my Airborne Valyrie Audax.

And yes, I am a fan of titanium. And carbon, and aluminium and steel!

:oops:

Captain Fagor

PS - I nearly bought a heavily discounted Colnago CT2 a couple of years ago, and kind of regret not buying it. Most probably a silly question, but was it nice?

Monty Dog

I've got an original Colnago CT1 with the polished finish - it now sports a one-off custom paint job too. It's a fantastically handling bike - very smooth but nothing every upsets it, despite a number of attempts. IMO Merlin are rebadged Litespeeds - they're made in the same factory. If you want classic titanium go for a Seven (some of the original Merlin Metalworks guys) and Lynskey (the people who established Litespeed) or something like a Moots - you want to pay a premium for craftsmanship, not mass produced (relatively) in Tenessee. As well as Litespeeds cracking, there's also the issue of the carbon/ti Merlins coming unstuck.

Uzbek

My CT-2 was a lovely ride, my first really good quaity bike. I'd buy another at the drop of a hat. Everyone who ever borrowed it said they did not want to give it back.

If anyone offers you a secondhand CT-2 with 'minor crash damage' in silver and grey-run away. Its mine and it is well bent!

BrettBurk

Monty Dog - I am sympathetic to part of your argument. I didn't want mass produced either - especially when buying my dream bike. That was part of the reason that I spent a little bit more and had my Merlin custom built.

Monty Dog

I should have added Bertoletti to my list...

giant_man

Yes you see there are the italians too. Bertoletti, Tommasini, et al but I do think the Merlins are very nice too. Not so much the Works bikes but the classic models such as the Extralight and the Cyrene are indeed lovely to look at.

twilliams

I own a 2004 Litespeed Vortex and a Colnago C50. The build quality of the Litespeed is superb, however, I find it quite a noisy bike to ride. It seems to make strange creaking noises on and off. In terms of comfort the Colnago is superior and is a much quieter ride. The new Merlins seem to stuck appalling decals all over their machines. I preferred the older more understated look.
I would definitely consider a Seven or Moots as opposed to Litespeed or Merlin.
Even better, a Colnago C50-definitely the best bike I have ever ridden.

Uzbek

Just to resurrect this thread for a sec.

I've also kicked around the idea of a Ti serotta (Legend probably).

I've always fitted my CT-2 well, never had any backache etc etc and so I wonder if people have experience of the Cyclefit service? Since I live the other end of the country it would be awkward to visit their shop and if i did order one I'd be tempted to order a custom build based on my existing succesful geomtery.

Any thoughts?

Too much choice is my problem.

Shavedlegs

I've been through the Cyclefit process and came out the other end with a Legend STI. Still stare at the bike from time to time and think I am the luckiest man in the world.

The fitting was very great and so is the bike. Not cheap but then I can't see myself ever needing another bike. Perfect.

The frame did fill with water after a 2 hour ride in very heavy rain, but I think that was a worn headset.

Uzbek

Thanks for that. Any chance posting a pic? I bet you thought you were just getting tired at the end of that ride!
I'd like to know more about the cyclefit process;

Diod you have probelms before getting comfy/good fit?
Did you end up with a quite different size to what you thought would be right?
Does the ST rear ened on your bike make a tangible differemnce do you think?

mrushton

Uzbek wrote:

My CT-2 was a lovely ride, my first really good quaity bike. I'd buy another at the drop of a hat. Everyone who ever borrowed it said they did not want to give it back.

If anyone offers you a secondhand CT-2 with 'minor crash damage' in silver and grey-run away. Its mine and it is well bent!

i actually have a CT1 for sale should you (or anyone else) be interested. Difference was in the rear stays in that the CT2 used a wishbone 'B-stay' as opposed to the seperate stays of the CT1. It's a 56cm (c-t)

Shavedlegs

Also try Mosquito bikes, they appear to have huge range of ti bikes.

Uzbek

Mrushton -thanks but too big.

Slimtim

Uzbek, I have a Merlin Magia which has a compact frame. I can't really compare it with other Ti frames as I haven't ridden any but I can compare it with upper level carbon and 753 steel.

There really is no comparison actually.

I read up a lot before buying my Merlin (even though it was second hand) and the only issue I could find was that some Ti frames do not suit heavier riders. As I am 70kg I didn't feel that this would be an issue in my case.

While saddle, seatpost, wheel and tyre choice will have a massive impact on the ride comfort of any frame, I still feel that mt Merlin is more comfortable over long distances than any other I have ridden.

I am using a Kent Erikson Ti seatpost which looks awesome and completes the Ti of the frame - have a look at their site too if you want suggestions on Ti frames - Kent was the founded of Moots.

The Merlin also has some 'zing' to it by which I mean that it seems to really help me accelerate and I feel that all of even my meagre power output is being converted into forward motion.

I would certainly look at buying secondhand Ti again - it doesn't rust like steel and won't have 'stealth' damage like carbon so should make a great secondhand buy - I saved 65% on new and got an almost unused frame, forks and headset.

The downsides? Well the biggest one is that I know that I'll never need to buy another frame so all that enjoyable window shopping is over.

Uzbek

Slimtim, thanks for that but since i already ride a Ti bike I guess i'm sold on the materioal, just struggling to choose a brand

Shavedlegs-any answers to thsoe queries of mine re Cyclefit?