Merlin Metalworks Inc. Extralight 2002 Road Bike


  • Average Rating: 4.89/5
  • MSRP: $
  • # of Reviews: 9

Product Description



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Reviews 1 - 5 (9 Reviews Total) | Next 15

User Reviews

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Akalter001 a Road Racer from

Date Reviewed: May 20, 2004

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.

Bottom Line:   
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.

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Favorite Ride:   NJ Double Century

Price Paid:    $5000.00

Purchased At:   LBS

Similar Products Used:   Specialized Epic, Cannondales

Bike Setup:   Mostly Dura Ace.


Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by MTB rick a Road Racer from

Date Reviewed: April 28, 2003

Strengths:    Ride quality & it looks awesome

Weaknesses:    Price

Bottom Line:   
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.

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Purchased At:   Exxcell

Similar Products Used:   none

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


Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Eric_H a Road Racer from

Date Reviewed: January 31, 2003

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.


Bottom Line:   
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.

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Favorite Ride:   Mt. Baker

Purchased At:   labicicletta.com

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

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


Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by UnkaDave a Recreational Rider from Raleigh

Date Reviewed: December 7, 2002

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

Weaknesses:    You're kidding, right? Price.

Bottom Line:   
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.

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Favorite Ride:   Alpine Loop, Mt. Timpanogos, Utah

Price Paid:    $5000.00

Purchased At:   All Star Bike Shop,

Similar Products Used:   Panasonic Team America

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


Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:4
Submitted by metricEee a Road Racer from

Date Reviewed: August 28, 2002

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)

Bottom Line:   
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.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Ride:   anything outside of southern onterible

Similar Products Used:   too many to list

Bike Setup:   D.A.



Reviews 1 - 5 (9 Reviews Total) | Next 15

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