I think I found “THE ONE” for me – Merlin Extralight
07-04-13, 05:31 AM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,223
Bikes: 2012 Moots VaMoots-74 Peugeot Mixtie U018-73 Peugeot U018
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
7 Posts
Wow! Thats a nice Spectrum!
__________________
Moots VaMoots 2012-Peugeot Mixte 1974-Peugeot Mixte 1973
Moots VaMoots 2012-Peugeot Mixte 1974-Peugeot Mixte 1973
07-04-13, 05:42 AM
#52
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
I'd measure top tube lengths center 2 center to compare them versus measuring seat tubes. I try to ride bike with 54cm top tubes regardless of seat tube size. Occasionaly I'll come across an oddball frame with 52cm seat tube and a 54cm top tube, these frame aren't tall enough for me!!
With a budget of $1150 to finish the build you should have a little money left over. From the start I'd look for inexpensive bars, stem, seat and seatpost, spend no more than $100 for the 4 as they're easy to replace down the road.
I think the 'good stuff' comments are spread by rumor, ex employees or loyalists trying to up the reputation of a product they owned based on when someone may have left the company or when a company was bought or sold.
Seriously, my '04 isn't 'good stuff'?
With a budget of $1150 to finish the build you should have a little money left over. From the start I'd look for inexpensive bars, stem, seat and seatpost, spend no more than $100 for the 4 as they're easy to replace down the road.
I think the 'good stuff' comments are spread by rumor, ex employees or loyalists trying to up the reputation of a product they owned based on when someone may have left the company or when a company was bought or sold.
Seriously, my '04 isn't 'good stuff'?
I think there are always going to be stories about drop off when things change...how much is real? I have no idea. I do know that most Merlin people feel like they lost some of the magic after a lot of the original people left. The frames were still designed by TK and they were good enough for TK to use for Spectrum, so I'm sure they didn't become too awful. Obviously I'd buy that Cyrene in a heart beat, but I suspect you wouldn't sell it
I think those are some of the most beautiful, interesting American frames ever made. Lucky SOB.+1 to your answer as well...fit is personal and TT length makes more difference. If you buy the bike, you'll easily be able to get your money out should you decide it's not a great fit.
This is an interesting link, though light on facts. I'm not sure I buy the engraving argument either:
https://redkiteprayer.com/tag/american-bicycle-group/
I do think the point about ABG never focusing resources on Merlin is accurate.
Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 07-04-13 at 06:01 AM.
07-06-13, 12:08 PM
#53
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Posts: 142
Bikes: 97 Merlin XLight, 99 Merlin XLM
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think $850 is decent. Not a great deal, but decent. Merlin's are definitely worth the try, I'm loving mine.
07-06-13, 01:54 PM
#54
Dave Ferris
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Glendale, Ca.
Posts: 38
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks Bimdapogs. But I ended up passing on it. For the little riding/crosstraining from running I'm doing, my Litespeed is working ok for me I think.
Really nice bike you have there.
Really nice bike you have there.
10-20-21, 01:22 PM
#55
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
This post is very old but usefull for me. After a long serch I finally found a reasonable titanium frame for sale here in Brazil and bought a MERLIN Extralight with XL322 serial number (which doesn't says too much because basically only Tom Kellogg might know when it was made and looks like after his retirement he is not really in the mood to reply this kind of question anymore).
My frame will be assembled with the latest possible parts...Shimano PRO cockpit and ULTEGRA R8000 drivetrain together with MAVIC Ksyrium SLR wheelset. As soon as it is done I will post some pictures here. Also bought new decals at Velocals (Google it) but this looks like will take a long time to arrive.
My frame will be assembled with the latest possible parts...Shimano PRO cockpit and ULTEGRA R8000 drivetrain together with MAVIC Ksyrium SLR wheelset. As soon as it is done I will post some pictures here. Also bought new decals at Velocals (Google it) but this looks like will take a long time to arrive.
Likes For rob_marq:
10-26-21, 01:58 PM
#58
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Merlins last forever
I was fortunate enough to buy an Extra Light, serial XL 1782. Tom Kellogg tells me it was made in Cambridge and dates to late first quarter of 1995; it is spotless! Paint by Spectrum Cycles. Something to pass on.
10-26-21, 02:21 PM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,995 Posts
Looking for Ms Goodbike
