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1991 Merlin “Road” -59cm - Shimano 600 - $800

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1991 Merlin “Road” -59cm - Shimano 600 - $800

Old 04-27-20, 10:14 AM
  #1  
chico81 
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1991 Merlin “Road” -59cm - Shimano 600 - $800

SOLD

I hate to do this, but I got to let her go

Early Merlin “Road” , serial number 4830. Frame is in perfect shape, there are absolutely no dents, dings, not even a scratch on it. The bike was handmade in Cambridge.

I contacted Tom Kellogg, the bike’s designer (his name is on the bike), and here is the information he gave me:

“The frame was built in late July of '91. It was a "road" model and it appears to have been one of a run of 59cm frames built at the same time. Around that date, the decal sets had already been changed form the original all black to the white with black outline type. Helps?”
-Tom Kellogg

Components:
Shimano 600/Ultegra groupset, headset, and hubs - all have been serviced
Sakae fork
Modolo handlebars
Ritchey Force stem
Mavic Rims
Titanium seatpost
New press-in BB bearings
Titanium Selle Italia saddle
New Continental tires and tubes
New cables and housings
New KMC chain

Asking $800. I’m breaking even at this price, but I want to pass it on to someone who will love it and ride it I would prefer local pickup in Southern California.












Thanks!

Last edited by chico81; 05-03-20 at 04:29 PM. Reason: Sold
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Old 04-27-20, 11:34 AM
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nlerner
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Oh, that’s a screaming deal. I loved my Merlin Ti, but it was a tad too small at 57cm. I’d be all over this if I didn’t have a custom Ti frame on the way. Glwts!
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Old 04-27-20, 11:52 AM
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What are the top tube (c-t-c) and head tube (end-to-end, not including HS cups) measurements?
I think this might be a size too small for me, but I want it...so clean, not just condition but design/execution as well.
Passed on a beat version of *exactly* this bike for cheap years ago, regretted it...
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Old 04-27-20, 12:30 PM
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Here you go:
seat tube - 59cm C-T
top tube - 57cm C-C
head tube - 16.5cm headset-headset









Originally Posted by mikemowbz
What are the top tube (c-t-c) and head tube (end-to-end, not including HS cups) measurements?
I think this might be a size too small for me, but I want it...so clean, not just condition but design/execution as well.
Passed on a beat version of *exactly* this bike for cheap years ago, regretted it...
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Old 04-27-20, 12:57 PM
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The picture of the measurement to the top of the seattube is not loading for me. I think the frame is smaller than I want, so don't worry about fixing it just for me, but I wonder if others can see it.
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Old 04-27-20, 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by chico81
Here you go:
seat tube - 59cm C-T
top tube - 57cm C-C
head tube - 16.5cm headset-headset
Thank you. As I suspected, just a bit short/low in front for me. Stunning bike, but it *would* detract a bit if I had to put a 40mm setback post and an unduly tall stem in there...
Someone is going to be very happy with this.
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Old 04-27-20, 03:17 PM
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That is a good deal. I LOVE mine. It is my main rider. GLWTS.
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Old 04-27-20, 04:28 PM
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Wow, lucky for me it’s too small, my wife would kill me.
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Old 04-27-20, 04:52 PM
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Beautiful bike.
This looks a little tall for me.
What is the standover height? I might be able to make the length work OK.
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Old 04-27-20, 05:26 PM
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Thanks!

Standover is 33”




Originally Posted by OLB
Beautiful bike.
This looks a little tall for me.
What is the standover height? I might be able to make the length work OK.
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Old 04-27-20, 07:48 PM
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Wow, that’s a stunner. Effectively 57 CTC seat tube and 56 CTC top tube...my size, perfectly. And one of my favorite groups as well.
Gonna have to give this some serious consideration....
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Old 04-27-20, 08:29 PM
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Here are some more pics for motivation













Originally Posted by rccardr
Wow, that’s a stunner. Effectively 57 CTC seat tube and 56 CTC top tube...my size, perfectly. And one of my favorite groups as well.
Gonna have to give this some serious consideration....
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Old 04-27-20, 08:35 PM
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Sheesh, that thing is a looker.

Very glad it’s not my size. GLWS.
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Old 04-27-20, 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by rccardr
Wow, that’s a stunner. Effectively 57 CTC seat tube and 56 CTC top tube...my size, perfectly. And one of my favorite groups as well.
Gonna have to give this some serious consideration....
Doc...I have this exact (but my size and different group) bike and can’t tell you how much I love mine.
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Old 04-28-20, 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted by chico81
Thanks!

Standover is 33”
Thanks for checking. That is just a little too big for me. One size smaller and it would be perfect.
GLWS
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Old 04-28-20, 09:36 AM
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Stunning bike!

I have one from the exact same year that I am restoring for myself . Did you put new decals? They look absolutely new. I would like to know where you got them since mine are in relatively poor conditions.
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Old 04-28-20, 11:02 AM
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Thank you!

I got the decals from velocals, who were awesome to deal with!

I wanted it to be original as possible, so I contacted Tom Kellogg at Spectrum cycles for information. He is absolutely meticulous, and still has all of the data from every early Merlin build! Just give him your serial number But, he is retiring, so I don’t know if is still available or not. I still can’t get over how great Tom is for providing me with the info, completely above and beyond!

I provided links to the decals I used below:

https://velocals.com/merlin-1/

https://velocals.com/merlin-kellogg-...-1-pair-black/

Originally Posted by fraba
Stunning bike!

I have one from the exact same year that I am restoring for myself . Did you put new decals? They look absolutely new. I would like to know where you got them since mine are in relatively poor conditions.
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Old 04-28-20, 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by rccardr
Wow, that’s a stunner. Effectively 57 CTC seat tube and 56 CTC top tube...my size, perfectly. And one of my favorite groups as well.
Gonna have to give this some serious consideration....
Hey said 57 CTC top tube in post #4. Or is there some weird frame geo math that I am not doing here?
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Old 04-28-20, 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by tricky
Hey said 57 CTC top tube in post #4. Or is there some weird frame geo math that I am not doing here?
You are correct, sir. My math got all twisted in my excitement.
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Old 04-28-20, 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by rccardr
You are correct, sir. My math got all twisted in my excitement.
Haha, I know! I really like this bike too and have been paying close attention to the size. I am actually glad it's not 56 TT, 57 ST because that would be my size! ha.
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Old 04-28-20, 01:50 PM
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Whoever buys this bike is going to be a happy customer. After coveting Merlins for years, I finally found myself a 1990 Merlin a few years ago. It's lived up to my expectations. Fwiw, I also purchased replacement decals from Velocals, and they are excellent quality and have held up well.
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Old 04-28-20, 05:45 PM
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I would LOVE to but that seat post from you....I just got back from a ride on mine...someone is gonna be HAPPY!!!
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Old 04-29-20, 11:34 AM
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FYI, this is what I see.
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Old 05-03-20, 04:30 PM
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sold
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