Merlin Metalworks Inc. Cyrene Dura-Ace

Price Paid:  $4200.00 at BicycleExoticaDirect

Favorite Ride:
Merlin Cyrene

Bike Setup:
I have Dura-Ace 9 speed Shifters and rear Mech, with Ultegra making up the balance. The wheels are, Bonty race-lites for training and Zipp 404 clinchers for race day.

Summary:
Always a fan of the Merlin Extralight, since it's first production run. Years hence I fortunately found myself in a position to afford such a frame. After scrutinising the Technical guff, and talking with the dealer, I decided to opt for the more robust and slightly heavier frame material of the Cyrene. This is a frame that I will never sell so longevity was high in my consideration when purchasing this frame, not whether I can save 100 odd grams or ounces. The frame arrived in perfect order and was eyeballed for about a week before I began building it up. It really is a work of art and better viewing than the T.V.

Strengths:
The ride of the frame is superb, it's stiff, compliant and handles descents with ease. It's also no slouch in the climbing department converting all pedal force into forward motion. The natural finish is a great plus, and looks as good(if slightly duller) as the first day I rode it, which is a nice change from the inevitable chips,scratching, and delaminating of painted frames i've had in the past. This bike has really become an absolute dream for me, i've ridden all manner of bikes in my 30 yrs in the saddle and without doubt this has to be my pick. a combination of the straight line feel of steel, with the feedback of alloy and the comfort close to Carbon is always going to be hard to beat.

Weaknesses:
The integrated headset, while very sexy needs regular lubing and adjustment. Which really is no drama.

Similar Products Used:
In the past ive owned a '90 Steel Centurion, a ,'93 Trek 5200 OCLV, '99 Trek 2300 Alloy,

Price Paid:  $3600.00 at Hi Tech Bikes

Favorite Ride:
Any with moderate hills

Bike Setup:
'O4 Dura Ace, '03 Cyrene Frame

Summary:
I absolutely love this bike!!! It is light, handles like a dream, and seems to be very durable. I love that it is not painted too. The boys at High Tech Bikes in San Diego talked me into Dura Ace '04 over Campy Chorous and I'm damn glad they did. The new Dura Ace shifts beautifully, the hoods are extremely comfortable too. I am even getting used to the funky looking cranks.

Strengths:
Weld quality, high quality materials, geometry (Tom Kellogg is master), light weight, no flashy paint to scratch, .....
Buying the bike from High Tech was also a big benefit.

Weaknesses:
Merlins are a bit pricey but I could have spent the same on an aluminum frame so NO WEAKNESSES. I also lookes at SEVEN. They are nice too but way more pricey.

Similar Products Used:
Trek, Reliegh

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Flatland Cycles

Bike Setup:
Dura-Ace components, Mavic clincher wheels etc.

Summary:
I've been blown away by this bike ever since I bought it. I went for Titanium because I live next to the Gulf of Mexico in Tampa and the salt air destroyed my old steel road bike. The Merlin is the most beautiful bike I've ever unwrapped, and I've been in the bike biz for decades. The welds are all perfect, and the brushed finish incredibly durable. The bike handles like a dream, has all the stiffness you want climbing or accelerating, but the hour glass stays and carbon fork keep the bike from beating you to death. Did I mention I love it?

Strengths:
Excellent handling, response, finish. A joy to assemble. Threads are all perfect everything you need included (even a braze on front derailer adapter)

Weaknesses:
The only thing I don't like about this bike (and it's minor) is the way the shifter cables meet the frame. The cable stops have adjuster barrels that are cheap, don't work well, and there has to be a better way to do it. Next time I overhaul the bike I'll probably swap them out for something else.

Similar Products Used:
Guerciotti