Strengths: Smooth as silk. Lively when climbing or sprinting. No corrosion. Easy to keep clean.
Weaknesses: One pound heavier than my Kestrel 200sci. Costly when bought new. The decals seem to disintegrate for no good reason.
Bottom Line:
Surprisingly nice ride. Good for long days in the saddle. I got lucky finding this on eBay, but generally don't expect the same luck. Most riders keep their Merlin forever and the last forever.
Strengths: Ride quality is Phenomenal!! Power transfer is increased through 1" stays while retaining incredible sense of liveliness!! Titanium does not rust (I have destroyed steel and aluminum frames with my sweat).
Weaknesses: Initially expensive, but if you amortize it over the many happy years you will be riding it, it becomes an incredible deal!
Bottom Line:
I have owned a Dure-ace equipped Spectrum titanium bicycle since 1989, and swore that I would be buried with this bike. I discovered a small crack in the top tube 2 weeks ago and contacted Tom Kellogg (Designer and frame builder for Merlin bicycles) about having it repaired. He informed me that he would be happy to fix the frame (covered under warranty) but that it would take 10 weeks due to their backlog of work. I needed a bicycle in the meantime and have always been curious about the Extralite. I pruchased and received the frameset with FSA bottom bracket and compact cranks last week and swiched over my componetry from my Spectrum, which included recently upgraded Reynolds ouza pro carbon forks, STI 9-speed set-up and Velomax Circuit wheels. I have ridden the bike 3 times since completion of the switch-over, and am absolutely blown away at the difference in ride quality and climbing/sprinting characteristics! The forks are integraded with 1 1/8" steerer which feels a bit stiffer than my Spectrum w/ 1" steerer did, but the overall ride is so much smoother and more lively! The 1" chain stays really increase power transfer while keeping the bicycle tracking like an arrow! It appears that I will be buried with a different bicycle than my beloved Spectrum!
