Bimdapogs

Yup, it was that good! It is THE ONE. I never expected a Ti ride, but this popped up in the local classifieds for a very good price. Full Campy Record Ti group except it has Ksyrium rear wheel. They can be matched later, I’m still undecided whether to get a matching Ksyrium SL, or match the original Open Pro with Record hubs. Cinelli Grammo stem and AmClassic Ti seatpost.



Now, of course I have a question. One for now - can anybody tell me how Merlin’s Grease Guard BB look like? I read about it and my Xlight looks like it has press fit Campy Record BB. Can someone post a pic, please? Thanks in advance!

Bimdapogs

Another pic..

jr59

Those bikes are sooooo nice!

I rode one for a long,long time!
When I wanted a custom frame, I went to Tom Kellogg @ Spectrum to build me one.
He designed the Merlin frames!

Enjoy the ride.

Chombi

So, how light did the Extralight turn out to be??

Chombi

KonAaron Snake 

Can you tell me the serial number on your Merlin? If you want to date it, the man to talk to is Tom kellogg at Spectrum Bikes. I have a 1991 Merlin (before the extra light model) and it was one of the first butted ti frames...for the time, this was THE "it" bike...it was the frame all serious riders aspired to and few could afford (about $3200 in 1990 dollars!!!). Merlin moved production to Tenn. in, I think, 1998 and some of the original founders jumped ship. Later on they were bought by Litespeed/ABG and were just recently sold off again earlier this year. The consensus is that the pre-98' bikes are the ones to own.

Mine has a press in grease guard BB shell, which is the only negative to the bike - it limits me on cranks, which further limits upgrading it. I'm currently running mostly 9sp DA with an 8sp tricolor crank. I'm not familiar with a campy grease guard BB - I know Phil Woods and Suntour made one. I am curious as to your BB because I don't recall Campy 9sp being a square cut crank - meaning it shouldn't work with a GG BB.

As far as ride quality - my Merlin was love at first pedal. I've put a fair bit of mileage on it in the past few years and it was my go to bike before the custom Marnati. Tom Kellogg designed the geometry on them, partially explaining their amazing ride quality. Ti pretty much never looks anything other than new...they aren't the prettiest bikes around, but damn they work well - and no more worries about paint or corrosion.

Bimdapogs

This one is by Rob Vandermark, according to a decal on the left chainstay. Still a nice ride! Thanks.

cehowardGS

Is the Merlin considered C&V? What year is it?

Sweet bike..

4Rings6Stars

Love the bike, love the group. Congrats, that's definitely a keeper.

My advice is Record hub laced to OP rim to match the front. I have silver Campy hubs laced to OPs on my ti bike and love the look, they ride well and they're bulletproof.

KonAaron Snake 

Rob Vandermark was one of the original founders, and you can't put too much stock in most Merlin decals because most/many riders removed them and tossed on decals from whenever later. You can still buy Merlin decals! I think that Merlin ALWAYS used TK geometry charts and he continued a relationship with them even after the ABG years.

The serial number on my bike is inside the drive side DO.

Bimdapogs

I think this is early-mid 90s. 15 years and older, right? Please let me post her here, this is the only part of BF where I post aside from the Mechanics section.

The Ksyrium does look "Eh" on the bike. I guess it will depend on what I stumble on first. I definitely don't like the decals on the Ksyrium, I plan to peel them off I ever go that route.

I'll confirm the serial number later tonight. I think it read XL891, but I'll confirm later. I'll also snap some pics of the BB/crank arms while I'm at it.

5cagm

Hi,
I also have an early (1991 I believe, possibly 1992) Merlin Titanium. I actually have a question that I'd also like to throw into this discussion that I'm hoping Aaron or someone else can answer and that may help with the Merlin edit: Bimdapogs just picked up. My bottom bracket is pressed in like a Grease Guard BB, but the shell doesn't have the grease port that I've seen in photos of other early Merlins. Any ideas on whether this is a variation or another type of pressed BB?

lostarchitect 

This is an American Merlin, yes? I don't think they make the British ones anymore, do they?

jr59

Give Tom a call. He is one of the good guys and knows more about old merlins than anyone.

https://www.spectrum-cycles.com/

jr59

I have never seen one like that. Sorry, no help here.

cehowardGS

By all means I wasn't saying don't post it here!! I was just asking about the vintage, that's all..

You are correct, in this area, there are TRUE BICYCLE LOVERS, that really appreciate fine bikes. That is why I hang out here...

Waiting to see a good picture of that beauty too...

KonAaron Snake 

I haven't heard of an alternate BB either...though it's possible a customer or employee might have spec'd one (maybe a Suntour). The GG BBs were propietary.

Rob V. left Merlin in 97' if I recall...he formed Seven, who are now building frames for Kelogg's Spectrums. They moved to Tenn. in 2000...but apparently build quality began deteriorating before that (a little after Rob V left).

jr59

All of this is 100% correct! I will add that Spectrums are built with tubing from Merlin and welded by seven, and designed my TK!

And even if it's not vintage!



Thats what the extra light grew up to be!

himespau 

That is a nice looking bike.

Bimdapogs

5cagm's description seems to fit mine as well. But I can't be 100% sure until I see what a GG BB looks like. Would love to see a pic...

That's a stunner jr59!

KonAaron Snake 

Some day I'll get a custom ti spectrum...some day.

I have a friend with a Spectrum that might be making its way to me soon...it's too big for him and my Look would fit him better...as well as being more modern and with clinchers. He'll get to upgrade to SRAM Force.

Picchio Special

I'm 50 in a little over two years, and I'm seriously pondering a custom ti bike as a gift to myself.

5cagm

Thanks for the info guys. I've emailed TK in the past, maybe he'll have an answer. Like Bimdapogs, I'd love to see some photos of other members' BB shells. Cheers!

jr59

lol@ Aaron, with Steve Bauers Merckx, A Primato, a Marnati, AND TWO SACHS!

BTW; you can not even order a Sachs. Richard has closed his books and if you are not one of his customers, you can't get on his 7 year waiting list!

LOL... to funny!

KonAaron Snake 

What can I say...it's a sickness

I'll send out some photos later tonight.

What you said about Sachs isn't 100% accurate AFAIK. He'll put you on the list for a cyclocross bike, just not a road bike. He'll also put you on if you're military, a vet, clergy or a teacher.

BTW, even with some of the cool bikes I've been lucky enough to play with, the Merlin holds its own against pretty much anything. I absolutely love that bike and it changed my standards.

PS - Picchio has nicer stuff than I have (though he's less of a show off) - and he feels the same way. That gives some insight into how well regarded TK is.

jet sanchEz

You did really well on this, I almost bought it for the parts. Nice to see that it went to a good home.