Merlin Metalworks Inc. Extralight

Price Paid:  $5000.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
NJ Double Century

Bike Setup:
Mostly Dura Ace.

Summary:
This is a review of a 2000 Extralight. It is a great all around bike and now has tens of thousands of miles on it and it still rides like new. It is great on long rides, races, and centuries, but flexes like a noodle when I hammer. The Look HCS fork flexes noticeably under hard braking as well. This is a great bike and I love it but now that I have become much stronger I am realizing I need a stronger bike. I think I will get some stiffer wheels and see if that helps.

Strengths:
Smooth ride and long lasting durability. Light weight. Great bike for the distance rides and any road that is a bit rough.

Weaknesses:
Not a sprinters bike. I would prefer a stiffer bike for hill climbs and crits. Sometimes a little more weight is worth a little less flex.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Epic, Cannondales

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Exxcell

Bike Setup:
full dura ace, mavic open pro wheels, alien seat post, Reynolds ouzo pro fork, ritchey bars & stem

Summary:
I race Mountain bikes and was looking for a great road bike a couple years ago. After doing a bunch of searching I was ready to get a "lesser" ti-bike. The I was checkiong out Excell online and they had a complete Merlin built up with killer parets in my size. More then I was planning on spending, but it was worth it.

Strengths:
Ride quality & it looks awesome

Weaknesses:
Price

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $0.00 at labicicletta.com

Favorite Ride:
Mt. Baker

Bike Setup:
Ouzo Pro, D/A 9spd, Ksyriums for races, ITM Millennium bar/stem, Thomson post, Flite saddle, Time Equipe Mag pedals.

Summary:
Great frame which is a nice compromise in terms of weight, stiffness and ride quality. Sort of a "jack of all trades" ride that is competent at everything but does not stand out in any one thing. Great for long rides and races.

The lateral stiffness is average - on par with a lightweight steel frame and definitely more flexy than aluminium. However, this is largely true for all Ti frames and I knew this going into the purchase so I am not disappointed.

Strengths:
Ride quality and comfort. Durability and simplicity. Great handling bike.

If I had to pick one outstanding quality I would say fast cornering and descending, as this is the best handling bike I have ever ridden.

Weaknesses:
Lateral stiffness could be better. Perhaps an OS ovalized downtube could provide this without taking away the supple ride.

Expensive.

Similar Products Used:
Rocky Scandium, Marinoni Foco, Marinoni EL/OS, Marinoni SLX.

Price Paid:  $5000.00 at All Star Bike Shop,

Favorite Ride:
Alpine Loop, Mt. Timpanogos, Utah

Bike Setup:
Full Campy Record, Mavic rims, Selle Italia Flite saddle, some really cool handlebar tape to put a little color in.

Summary:
I gave up a year+ allowance, let my wife get work done on the kitchen, did some extra work, sold a kid (not really), and bought the bike, and have not regretted it. The bike is 21,000 miles old, and I have zero complaints. First ride at the bike shop when assembled, it was so smooth that I stopped at 1/4 mile to check tire inflation, then started looking for bumps. Rock solid on descents, climbs like an F-15, sprints better than I can. As much a piece of art as a bike, in terms of welds, etc. Next to my wife, favorite thing that I have. Note: This was an "old" Merlin when they were still in MA.

Strengths:
Light, stiff, comfortable, durable, gorgeous workmanship.

Weaknesses:
You're kidding, right? Price.

Similar Products Used:
Panasonic Team America

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
anything outside of southern onterible

Bike Setup:
D.A.

Summary:
This bike flat out rules. It is a rare combination of comfort and monkey on crack acceleration. I live in a part of the world that doesn't much care about road maintenance, and this bike has made a huge difference in extending my comfort zone. It also corners and accelerates like few other bikes can.

Strengths:
Voodoo merlin ti tubing is magical

Weaknesses:
Having to sell a kidney just to afford one (of course the smooth ride will ensure that your existing kidney will be well protected)

Similar Products Used:
too many to list