Merlin Metalworks Inc. Agilis

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at SUPERGO

Favorite Ride:
LONG RIDE ON A WARM SUMMER DAY

Bike Setup:
REYNOLDS OUZO PRO INTEGRATED, DURA-ACE GROUP AND MAVIC COSMIC CARBONES.

Summary:
THIS IS THE BEST FRAME I HAVE EVER HAD. I USED TO HAVE A MERLIN ROAD. THE FIRST TIME I ROAD THIS COMPACT FRAME I NOTICED A NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE COMPARED TO MY OLD MERLIN. I USED TO HAVE LOWER BACK DISCOMFORT ON LONG RIDES, NOT ANYMORE. NOT EVEN A HINT OF DISCOMFORT. THE WELDS AND LOOKS OF THIS FRAME ARE PURE ARTWORK. MERLIN HAS THE BEST WELDERS IN THE BUSINESS. IT CLIMBS AND SPRINTS LIKE MAGIC, I PLAN ON RIDING THIS FRAME TILL I DIE.

Strengths:
LOOKS, COMFORT, CLIMBING, SPRINTING AND VALUE. WITH THIS FRAME YOU TRULY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR WHICH IS A RARITY THESE DAYS.

Weaknesses:
NONE, EXCEPT MERLIN SHOULD HAVE MACHINED THE HEAD TUBE TO ACCEPT A CHRIS KING HEADSET.

Similar Products Used:
MERLIN ROAD AND KESTREL 200 SCI(WHICH IS ANOTHER GREAT BIKE).

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Colorado Cyclist (fr

Favorite Ride:
Boone, NC

Bike Setup:
Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork, ITM bar and stem, FSA team issue carbon cranks with Ultegra, Mavic Ksyrium SSC wheels, Easton carbon post with Selle Italia SLR saddle.

Summary:
Merlin is cycling art! I tried out all the ti & carbon bikes out there and chose the Merlin. PERFECT welds, perfect geometry, and their compact design is the best I've ridden. Climbs like a dream and really gets away from you on descents! You can feel the bike accellerate underneath you when you mash the pedals. It's just a beautiful thing. If you know bikes, than you know Merlin is a pioneer, and their craftsmanship is unmatched. Get a Merlin and you have a bike for life! FIVE STARS!

Strengths:
Quality of contruction, climbing ability, nimble. Lifetime quarantee from Merlin!

Weaknesses:
NONE

Similar Products Used:
GT Aluminum, Trek carbon

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Bike Source

Favorite Ride:
Tour of the Wells, Logan Utah

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace, Velomax Wheels (great wheels!)

Summary:
I absolutely love this bike! It does it all well (climbing, descending, crits)and you rarely have to wash it! My wife told me I could get any frame I wanted, and this is the bike I chose. I happen to like the looks of compact frames (and no, I don't mtn. bike).

I had a very stiff aluminum bike before this, and I was amazed at how stiff, yet comfortable, the Agilis is. Good job Merlin!

Strengths:
Silky smooth ride. Stiff where it needs to be. Excellent build quality and finish.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Giant, Bianchi, Eddy Merckx, Cannondale, Specialized, Trek

Price Paid:  $0.00 at www.multisportbikes.

Favorite Ride:
Anything downhill...

Bike Setup:
Reynolds Carbon fork, Cane Creek headset bearing, Deda stem, ITM bars, Mike Burrows bladed carbon se

Summary:
The Merlin is a funny looking bike, the compact design makes it look like a mountain bike; but, it sure has grown on me. It climbs really well, and it feels taut, with no squirm in the bottom bracket. It descends really well, it's stable, and confidence inspiring - changing line halfway through a corner is easy, and predictable. I chose a 43mm rake fork (Reynolds, what else??), and I use a carbon bladed seatpost; so it's smooth and really comfortable.

I've equipped it with Rolf wheels (mucho mileage and no drama's at all, contrary to all the rumours I've heard), for my training rides; and for race day I've got a set of HEDS. For the record, I could borrow Lance's TT bike and still be slow on race day - LOL!! I run the highly under-rated Ultegra groupset.

This bike is just awesome, it's far better than anything I've ever owned before. I "downgraded" after totalling my Pinarello - but, honestly, the Merlin is a much better bike in every respect other than weight and snob value. I don't notice the extra weight at all, and in truth, the Melin is a significantly better climber.

You'll notice below that I rate the value for money very high, reasoning is that even though it costs some, you keep it forever so the dollar per use is actually lower.

Strengths:
Build quality is awesome, the finish on this frame is just perfect. It is stiff, and comfortable. It looks really neat on the HED's. It handles incredibly well, and it is relaxing to ride. The compact frame is kind of neat, at least, once you get used to it. The Merlin badge is a neat bit of detail. The gear cable adjusters are beautifully machined, as is the 6AL drop outs.

Okay, the real deal? - I will never buy another bike. This exceeds my expectations in every way. Ti is the only way to fly, and Merlin is the top of the heap.

Weaknesses:
Headset. Whoever the marketing guy is who thought this little gem up deserves punishment by Rap music or MASH reruns. I've adjusted the bearing weekly. I think this design is flawed; what was wrong with the old style cup design? A headset bearing should last forever, "easy replacement" is a gimmick. Merlin, go back to the old style. Unfortunately, everyone is using it now, so there's little choice in the matter.

Similar Products Used:
I've owned other roadies (Pinarello, Cannondale, Mongoose (hey, that bike rocked!)), but none of them compare in all aspects. The Merlin is so much better, I can't adequately describe it. The Pinarell

Price Paid:  $1870.00 at Excel Sports

Bike Setup:
Complete Dura Ace, Open Pro wheels, Ritchey WCS cranks, Ritchey bar and stem.

Summary:
What can I say? This bike is awesome! It is perfectly stiff, light and compliant. The thing descends like a rocket, and is incredibly stable. The geometry is spot on.

Strengths:
The quality including the welds, geometry, stiffness at the BB, etc. etc., etc.

Weaknesses:
I honestly can't find any yet.

Similar Products Used:
GT aluminum, Strong Foco