Merlin Metalworks Inc. XL Compact

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Contes, Virginia Bea

Favorite Ride:
Blue Ridge mountains

Bike Setup:
FSA crankset, durace drive, mavic wheels, ITM stem/bars, Fizik, Litespeed fork, 9 spd (don't trust 10 spd), speed play.

Summary:
I have owned a varity of bikes, carbon, aluminum, combination of materials but nothing compares to the comfort of my Merlin XL Compact. I am 6'3" and rode over 6000 miles on this frame with ZERO problems and more comfortable than I thought possible. An excellent climbing design and just flexible enough to stay comfortable on a 6 hour ride. If you find one for sale, and you plan to do the long rides, long club rides, and do lots of climbing, this is the frame for you.
Also highly recommend the Mavic SSL's.
I had to chose road racer when actually i do the mountain centuries.

Strengths:
Lots, no rust, always looks good, easy to replace decals, crafstmanship is flawless, Merlin Metalworks

Weaknesses:
This is not a crit racing bike.

Price Paid:  $3200.00 at Excel, and Cbike

Favorite Ride:
Anything outside

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace groupo, TTT Zepp stem, Prima 199 handle bars, Lightweight wheels

Summary:
Awesome handling, comfort, out of the saddle response, wow, I use to Ride a lemond Zurich 2001 853 steel but this ti is the way to go. Now I have litespeed mountain bike and a merlin road bike. Next a Cyclocross bike and kids. ;-) If you can afford this bike I would recommend it everytime.

Strengths:
Light, responsive, won't rust, Dura Ace is the only drive train to run on such a lovely bike.

Weaknesses:
None, if you can afford one.

Similar Products Used:
Lemond Zurich 2001

Price Paid:  $0.00 at This website.

Favorite Ride:
Dandenongs ranges Melbourne

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace components with Ultegra bottom bracket( the Dura Ace sucks). Open pro rims with dura ace hu

Summary:
The best bike I have ever ridden. Amazing shock absorption, tramendous power transfer and stiffness derived from the tight rear end with oversized chainstays. Forget what people say about ti bikes being flexy, my previous bike was an aluminium scandium and the Merlin is easily on par in the stiffness stakes with scandium frame. You can ride the Merlin the whole day and still keep going largely due to the fact that it's such a comfortable ride. The initial payment for the frame seems trivial after the first ride, and when you consider the life expectancy of an aluminium frame if you race and train everyday the Merlin really makes sense. This will be the last bike you will have to buy.

Strengths:
Light weight, stiffnes, a plush ride, bombproof, doesn't scratch or corrode, lasts a lifetime.

Weaknesses:
None really.As far as I am concerned this is the perfect bike.

Similar Products Used:
Look, Litespeed, Giant, Casati scandium.