Restoring the Merlin (or why Titanium is still cool)
03-28-22, 12:40 PM
#1
pan y agua
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Restoring the Merlin (or why Titanium is still cool)
I decided to restore my 24 year old Merlin Extralight. In its current configuration it has a mishmash of Shimano 10 speed mechanical components.
A few years back, I added S&S couplers to make use of it as a travel bike. The rebuild will SRAM Force electric 12 speed. The wireless components should be really nice with only one brake cable to futz with in packing and unpacking the bike.
So far I’ve removed the old components and cleaned up the frame. After 24 years use, guesstimated 50,000 miles, a hundred or so crits, a few crashes, and schlepped around the US and Europe in an S&S travel case, it still looks close to new.
A few years back, I added S&S couplers to make use of it as a travel bike. The rebuild will SRAM Force electric 12 speed. The wireless components should be really nice with only one brake cable to futz with in packing and unpacking the bike.
So far I’ve removed the old components and cleaned up the frame. After 24 years use, guesstimated 50,000 miles, a hundred or so crits, a few crashes, and schlepped around the US and Europe in an S&S travel case, it still looks close to new.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
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03-28-22, 01:11 PM
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I decided to restore my 24 year old Merlin Extralight. In its current configuration it has a mishmash of Shimano 10 speed mechanical components.
A few years back, I added S&S couplers to make use of it as a travel bike. The rebuild will SRAM Force electric 12 speed. The wireless components should be really nice with only one brake cable to futz with in packing and unpacking the bike.
So far I’ve removed the old components and cleaned up the frame. After 24 years use, guesstimated 50,000 miles, a hundred or so crits, a few crashes, and schlepped around the US and Europe in an S&S travel case, it still looks close to new.
A few years back, I added S&S couplers to make use of it as a travel bike. The rebuild will SRAM Force electric 12 speed. The wireless components should be really nice with only one brake cable to futz with in packing and unpacking the bike.
So far I’ve removed the old components and cleaned up the frame. After 24 years use, guesstimated 50,000 miles, a hundred or so crits, a few crashes, and schlepped around the US and Europe in an S&S travel case, it still looks close to new.
03-28-22, 01:16 PM
#3
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03-28-22, 03:09 PM
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Titanium always looks great cleaned up. Have a very early Merlin that I gave an satin polish versus trying to find someone to bead blast back to matte finish.
Did resto mod with NOS silver Campy Athena 11 speed and matching Mavic wheelset.
Looks great, good luck!
Did resto mod with NOS silver Campy Athena 11 speed and matching Mavic wheelset.
Looks great, good luck!
03-28-22, 08:42 PM
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This resto build is going to look really good. Excited to see the finished build once its all done.
03-29-22, 07:49 AM
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Hard to beat shiny!
03-31-22, 01:45 PM
#7
pan y agua
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My build process got slowed a bit by a stuck seatpost. Got that taken care of, and ready to put it together.
with the couplers, the frame and headset weigh just a tick under 4 pounds. ( the original frame was 2lbs 10 ounces, so the couplers added less than 1 1/2 lbs.)
should build up around 17 pounds.
with the couplers, the frame and headset weigh just a tick under 4 pounds. ( the original frame was 2lbs 10 ounces, so the couplers added less than 1 1/2 lbs.)
should build up around 17 pounds.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
03-31-22, 03:37 PM
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I hope you can find frame decals with the old Merlin logo(s) - that was a classy font. And the bird (I presume it was a merlin) was cool. The current branding doesn't appeal to me. At all.
03-31-22, 05:30 PM
#9
pan y agua
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I actually bought a set of the original decals, and I ended up deciding not to put them on. As a travel bike, the decals would just be something I had to worry about scratching. One of the beauty’s to me of the bike is that I can throw it in the S&S case and not worry about scratching it. And the Merlin Extralight provenance is engraved in the rear drop outs
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
03-31-22, 09:22 PM
#10
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I can confirm: I had my 2010 S&S coupled bike (originally built with mechanical Ultegra 6700) updated to SRAM eTap 11-speed in 2018, and boy-howdee does the wireless drivetrain make it a cinch to pack or rebuild! Easily cuts 20-30 minutes off the job.
03-31-22, 09:27 PM
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What a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. I love those welds!
Mark
Mark
04-01-22, 11:12 AM
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Ti is fly. (somebody had to say it.)
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04-01-22, 01:03 PM
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04-01-22, 03:10 PM
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04-04-22, 07:36 AM
#16
pan y agua
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Before:
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
04-04-22, 07:52 AM
#17
pan y agua
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After
With Sram Force axs group
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
04-06-22, 06:41 AM
#18
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I actually prefer the look of the bike before. However, the SRAM Force group works great; it rides like a new bike, and disassembly, reassembly for travel should be much easier.
,
,
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
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04-06-22, 01:22 PM
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This is the quandary I'm in with my Litespeed. I built it up with 7410 Dura Ace, partly because I had most of the groupset, and partly because it was 'age appropriate' for a 1995 frame. And it looks REALLY GOOD with it, and of course the shifting is wonderfully crisp, like 7410 always was. But I really wish I had at least two more speeds and a 30t cog every time the gradient goes over 6%. OTOH, the more modern stuff just doesn't LOOK as good.
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04-06-22, 06:51 PM
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Very cool!
02-20-24, 10:32 PM
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Awesome build. I recently acquired an early 90s Merlin Spectrum frame. I am in the process of doing a similar restoration. It currently has a pressfit bottom bracket with square taper spindle. How were you able to install your bottom bracket and crankset?
02-20-24, 11:12 PM
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How wide is the shell and what diameter? I’d have thought you can use standard pressfit bearings for a 24 spindle but a 30 like I think the Force AXS has could be a problem. I imagine the OP used external bearings.
02-21-24, 05:06 AM
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I have a 2003 or 4 Airborne Zeppelin that I bought used in 2017, stock with 6500 group set. It is presently a 1 X drive train with 12 speed cassette, bar end shifters in friction mode, Tektro brake levers, with a Ritchey Beacon handlebar. It is a shade over 17 pounds with no accessories mounted. I am debating building it back to a 2 X with Shimano 9000 components, including a DA C24 wheel set. I am not really concerned about the weight, but, I think with the DA components, it is going to stay about the same. I got the entire group from a friend of mine. I have not done this yet because I really like the 1 X, it is all I need where I live, and while I am sure the DA performance will be exceptional, I don't think it is going to make a big difference to me. It does have the C24 wheels on it.
I had wanted a titanium frame set for a long time, I got the Airborne at a fantastic price off Ebay, it had very low miles and was, still is, in great shape. The ride and the handling are outstanding. Whenever I get on it after not riding it for a while, it still amazes me how light and responsive it is, but still comfortable for the long rides. Titanium is a wonderful material for building a bike frame, long lasting and easy maintenance for the frame itself. And, I like classic looking frames with modern components.
I had wanted a titanium frame set for a long time, I got the Airborne at a fantastic price off Ebay, it had very low miles and was, still is, in great shape. The ride and the handling are outstanding. Whenever I get on it after not riding it for a while, it still amazes me how light and responsive it is, but still comfortable for the long rides. Titanium is a wonderful material for building a bike frame, long lasting and easy maintenance for the frame itself. And, I like classic looking frames with modern components.
02-21-24, 05:27 AM
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I also have a vintage Merlin with the “Grease Guard” proprietary press fit Merlin BB. So I am stuck with the square taper BB. The little mini zerk fittings on the BB she’ll are cool and I have a Pedro’s micro grease gun that should be capable of pumping some nice grease behind the cartridge bearings. Unfortunately, the zerks appear to be corroded and I can’t get the grease in. Does anyone know if Merlin or any specialist sells OEM service parts for these press fit Merlins?
02-21-24, 12:36 PM
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I also have a vintage Merlin with the “Grease Guard” proprietary press fit Merlin BB. So I am stuck with the square taper BB. The little mini zerk fittings on the BB she’ll are cool and I have a Pedro’s micro grease gun that should be capable of pumping some nice grease behind the cartridge bearings. Unfortunately, the zerks appear to be corroded and I can’t get the grease in. Does anyone know if Merlin or any specialist sells OEM service parts for these press fit Merlins?
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