I am looking at purchasing a Merlin Aerial bike circa 1999. It is rumored to be a pro TT bike from the Merlin/Hind team of the late '90’s. It is set up with 650’s, and the price seems to be right. I’m guessing the titanium frame should still be in pretty good shape. Titanium is bombproof, right?
Anyways, the measurements are in line with I’m riding now, which is currently on ebay. I’m thinking about picking this bike up, but I was interested in getting some info about this frame. Anyone familiar enough with late 20th Century Merlins to comment?
Robert, in regards to your question regarding Merlin/titanium being “bomb-proof”, I felt I should comment.
My custom Merlin Extralight frame suffered near catastophic failure on a routine road ride this past fall. The diagonal down-tube split all the way through and all the way around. Fortunately, the bike remained together by virtue of its joints.
Needless to say the bike could no longer be ridden. I too had previously thought titanium to be “bomb-proof.” Whereas it was a sponsor bike, Merlin opted not to provide the lifetime warranty. Where you would be a 2nd hand owner of the bike, you would not be covered either in the event of similar breakage.
i had one. at the time i weighed over 200 lbs. strong enough for me. great bike. thicker, round tubes, so should not experience failures that i’ve heard of with the ultra-lights. irish national team had the ultra lights with similar failures.
I have a 1999 Merlin Aerial and love it. It is still my race bike. I have not had a single problem with the frame. I would ove to get one of the new QR Lucerno’s or a custom Yaqui, but it’s hard to justify spending the money on either when there is nothing wrong with this bike.
actually its not as bad as it looks, although it is angled slightly up. No way around that though. I wanted to get even further forward so I turned around the seat post and that is as flat as it will go. Didn’t want to change the seat post out either since its a Deda Black Stick.
The black thing on the chainstay is the Polar power meter hook up. I have one on both this and my road bike.
RE: frames can fail, is this the exception or the rule?
My understanding is that the failure I experienced was not as uncommon as one might expect. Something about the manner in which the diagonal tube gear cable braze-ons (term escapes me at this late hour) were adhered to the frame.
The frame also experienced a hairline crack in the seat downtube, whose origin I could never determine, but it did not become a problem or become worse in several years of riding.
The diagonal tube failure was quite dramatic though, breaking all the way through and through 360 degrees.
Exception or the rule, I cannot say, other than to note that it is the only bike to every fail on me—a surprise to me given the reputation of the material and the builder.
I have 2 merlins. First one I bought is an Agilis (compact frame). Was my first Ti frame and coming off a Softride was amazed at the stiffness yet not much loss in ride quality. Has Reynold Ouzo Carbon Fork.
Saw an Aerial for sale on the prosstuff.com about a year ago, price was right and bought it as well. It was used but the frame was straight and have not regretted the purchase. Not Aero Tubed etc. but I still get a lot of comments about the bike. Apparently not many were made or still raced.
Don’t think you can go wrong with “old school” bike of this quality. MIne is posted on the 'hottest bike " thread somewhere on this forum.
Best of Luck
fal7 in Houston
On my other computer I have a link to the ole Merlin web site with specs. etc If you want the link PM me and I will send it next week when I am back in my office.
