Price Paid:
$2499.00
at Florida Bicycle Spor Model Year:
2004 Favorite Ride:
2004 Merlin Fortius Bike Setup:
- specs are on an archived Merlin page (http://www.merlinbike.com/bikes/fortius.aspx), but generally 9spd Ultegra (6600) components, Vittoria Rubino Pro Slicks... ITM stem, handlebars, Selle Italia Flite Ti Gel, Thomson Elite seatpost, black (although i recv'd an FSA), Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheelset... Summary:
- purchased as a workout/morning ride bike... my Fortius has straight seat stays and curved chain stays w/the Kellogg geometry... early models had curved seat stays? serial #M31827-8... bike was equipped w/Ultegra 9spd components... i wanted a bike made in U.S.A. w/non-integrated (i.e., 'normal') headset... the Fortius came with a Cane Creek S2 headset... frame is one lb. heavier than the Merlin Magia, but has almost *exact* geometry in same size!!! no clear coat finish, but who needs that with Ti, right? the Fortius is an entry-level Merlin frame, but has the engraved Merlin work on the bottom bracket... head badge is affixed w/two bolts... includes bolts for two water bottles... frame cleanliness is maintained w/dollar-store orange furniture polish in spray can (that's all Ti needs)...
overall: very happy with this bike... it will never be sold or replaced and is a lifetime purchase... even though not top-of-the-line, at this point in time, the bike represents classic workmanship from a large-scale U.S. bike factory - perhaps the last of its kind? Strengths:
- Ti frame made in U.S.
- beautiful welds and workmanship
- nice finish
- robust 9spd Ultegra components
- Vittoria Rubino Pro Slicks
- lifetime warranty on frame! Weaknesses:
- kinda overpriced for 9spd road bike
- LBS setup (sold me 42 bar when i needed 44/46)
- Merlin's Web site and customer interaction following registration kinda sucks (i.e., NONE)
- compact geometry (felt too small initially, but after dial-in is very comfortable)
- chain experienced surface rivet rust, and was replaced w/Wipperman (live in saltwater air area, so no real biggie) Similar Products Used:
- Specialized AL road bike
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