MUDDY88YJ

Looking for a ti frame would you get Moots or merlin or is there another frame you would choose thanks.

mike868y

I have a thing for Moots. Never ridden either though.

Boudicca

Which one is available where in the right size at the right price?

I should add that I have a Merlin, and love it. Don't think I could afford a Moots, but they look beautiful.

old and new

Not necessarily but did you at least look at LiteSpeed ? They've been a major player for years.

Boudicca

Isn't Merlin from the Litespeed stable anyway?

SpongeDad

yes

Boudicca

Besides, maybe the OP has a thing for bikes with names that start with the letter M.

patentcad

Bd

rugerben

Then he should get the ti Motobecane from BD.

Oh jeez. Did I just agree with pcad? I promise, I didn't do it intentionally!

patentcad

Don't let it happen again. I got my eye on you.

cuattop

I love my Lynskey!

yaegervette

independent fab....most hardcore full custom frames in the game..moots was good till erikson left...and merlin got surpassed five years bfore that

lung

Love my Merlin. It's classic, beautiful... and will never go out of style. Moots great too. Can't go wrong with either. I jumped on the carbon bandwagon... and even still ride a great full carbon Guru... but truth be told I think Titanium is the ultimate frame material.

old and new

curious .. have you used any of these firms ? Not to put you one the spot but custom made Ti. and all that it involves ? Not the direction the OP's indicated.. I agree that Merlin isn't the only one though.

teterider

Seven

yaegervette

yes i am a independent fab crown jewel owner....and a moots ybb mtn bike owner...only givin the facts buddy... both companies made a great name for themselves...but both have changed and not for the better

old and new

I appreciate it .. REALLY.. just moments ago, a member posted about having big problems in having a custom made Ti. It's why I'd asked.. You, if anybody could help the dude out as far as advice or .. ??

yaegervette

old and new...u stick reading magazines... and was litespeed a joke.. hes talking moots and merlin... thats like saying... porshe.. ferrari.. and vw

Fox Farm

Yes, I love my Merlin too. I suppose that the OP might want to mention budget. I think that Merlin still offers the custom frame, one built to your own measurements, like Serotta and Moots and a few others do. I have never ridden a Dean, a Seven, or the Inde Fab but all of those are also great bikes.

Colorado Cyclist were selling the Merlin Extra Light with a good fork on sale a month or so ago. Like $1500 I think which is a great deal.

HAMMER MAN

serotta legend

BillyD

I think Moots has the edge on Merlin . . . in cachet. Other than that they're both great.

jdon

+1

bigtea

If blind testing were possible with bicycles, I think you would be hard pressed to distinguish one top-of-the-line USA built ti bike from another (in the same geometry)...that would include IF, Lynsky, Moots, Merlin, Litespeed, Serotta, and any other I may have forgotten. As BillyD put it above...."in cachet" there might be a difference in brands, but in reality they are all good. Correction, they are all great.

I did a group ride on Sunday and at least half of the bikes were titanium. This was a crowd of mostly over-40 cyclists who have been riding for years. All of the ti brands above were represented. Lots of Dura-Ace, lots of expensive wheelsets, lots of built-by-choice rigs that had been put together by serious, lifetime cyclists.

velotel

just go to kenteriksen.com and order your bike. His prices are excellent, the workmanship unsurpassed, he's easy to work with, time frame is short for a custom bike (5 - 6 weeks I think), and the bike will fit you perfectly and do all you want it to do, except go up hills faster; that's left for you to handle.

DenisMenchov

I'd go with the scattante Ti frame from performance...it's made by Lynskey..

Or if you want a really nicely spec'd Titanium bike for a sweet price...motobecane ti