Merlin Metalworks Inc. Magia Dura Ace 10

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at private

Favorite Ride:
Ashokan Reservoir

Bike Setup:
Dura-Ace Ksysium SL, Conti force/attack.

Summary:
An absolute work of art...beautiful even standing still. Light, fast and responsive on the road.

Strengths:
Ultra good looks, top-notch craftsmanship, light, fast and buttery smooth.

Weaknesses:
Compact has a squirrel-ly twitch...just pay attention. A bit of a flex upfront when accelerating very hard.

Similar Products Used:
No other Ti in the corral. A steel Miyata and a CF S-works Roubaix.

Price Paid:  $900.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
All

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace, Reynolds fork, stem, and bars. King headset, Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL wheelset, Conti GP 4000 tires, Thomson seat post, WTB Devo saddle,

Summary:
Purchased the frame and built it up with Dura Ace intending to use it as a durable, all weather training bike. Surprisingly stiff in the bottom bracket in and out of the saddle (I'm 6'2" 190 lbs.) but the ride is compliant on rough surfaces. The compact frame and short wheelbase make for very twitchy handling in tight spaces. Takes getting used to on fast descents

Strengths:
Strong, light, quick handling, classic good looks.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Merlin Compact XL, Specialized Roubaix Pro, Cervelo Team Soloist.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
anywhere

Bike Setup:
just moved it from shimano to campy love both but campy is so smooth shimano so raw go back to vette vs ferrari I love both

Summary:
unbelievable ride I have ridden almost every bike there is but in a compact this is the best. My Scott is awesome my Calfee dragon fly amazing ( Craig you are truely a genious ) but if I get up tomarrow and just want to ride and don't know where or how or want to care ....Magia magnificent

Strengths:
unlimited unless you can't hadle the quirkiness of a compact ...ferrari vs corvette

Weaknesses:
can't find it if you have it don't give it up Ghisallo my.....

Similar Products Used:
too many

Price Paid:  $2450.00 at Private seller

Model Year:
2004

Favorite Ride:
HWY 1 Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay w/ Swanto Loop

Bike Setup:
Magia Med. Frame with Cane creek headset, Reynolds Ouzo fork, Easton carbon seatpost w/ Selle "AssBite" seat, Mavic Ksryrium SL wheels, Vittoria Open Corso Evo tyres and full Dura Ace, cranks, cassette, chain, derailers, brakes.

Summary:
A friend had let me use his 1999 Extralight for 8 months and I was hooked. I had to have a Merlin. Even if I had to sell my soul to get one. Well as good luck was bestowed upon me, I was able to scoop a mint Magia w/ full Dura Ace for $2450 US. I think the Extralight is slightly more comfortable overall but the Magia I swear has an engine somewhere in that 2lb frame. And with a few adjustments (change stem and bars), bloody close to perfect. If a compact frame is your preference, then this is it. Incrediblly stable on the severe downhills, responsive on passing and cornering and just "Magia" on climbs. And could it be any better looking? Well, I'll tell you in 10 years when maybe something else by then will come along and steal my eye. But as I already assume, it will probably be another Merlin. A perfect 10+.

Strengths:
Everything about it exceeds expectations. And it really represents good vaue for the money. Inspite of a new one costing more than some cars; You won't even look at another bike for at least 10 years. And after 10 years you will still want to ride this one.

Weaknesses:
None. I mean it!!!

Similar Products Used:
Over a three month period, I looked at every bike imaginable and not that there aren't great bikes out there, nothing had it all like the Merlin. Even if it is now made by the same people as Litespeed.