Looking at either a Litespeed Tuscany or Merlin Cyrene. I have found reviews on the Tuscany but not much on the Cyrene. Ive ridden the Tuscany but not the cyrene. Plan on riding one this weedend. Any thoughts?
Either company make excellent bikes. I have a litespeed vortex which i love. A guy I know has a Merlin which he loves. Don’t think you could go too far wrong.
In my opinion Merlin make a beautiful, very traditional style of bike. Litespeed seem a bit more adventurous as far as tube shapes etc.
i suppose if they both suit the style of riding you do and they fit correctly it is purely based on which look you prefer.
Doesn’t really matter as both “brands” are made by ABG (American Bicycle Group: Litespeed, Merlin, Tomack and Quintana Roo). Litespeed is their “higher end” bikes (when comparing apples to apples).
I would personally get the Tuscany: excellent all around bike. I train and ride mostly on a Vortex and couldn’t be happier. You can tour the factory as well if you want (Chattanooga, TN)
I agree with rroof
same maker. same workmanship.
the specks will be different, anything else will be price and what you prefer. every merlin i’ve seen was more than a similar litespeed and i didn’t see a benefit. they doo have the engraving stuff, if you like that. i’d imagine the ride quality will be the exacttly the same between brands. Go with the Tuscany…ie: your other thread…
Yeah I now they are owned by the same parent company and pretty much expected those responses. I was set on the Tuscany then I go to the LBS and they throw the merlin at me just to give me another option. They said price would be the same for both. There going to build one up so I can test both this weekend. Ive got a feeling its going to come down to fit and looks, not sure if I am going to be able to tell any difference in ride. Specs are the same. The merlin is classic looking with that engraving. The Tuscany is also nice looking. Its going to be a tough choice.
Wow…tough choice. Sounds like you’re doing the right thing by test-riding both, and you’re probably right that it’ll come down to looks and fit. I can tell you that I ride a Litespeed Ultimate, and my wife rides a Merlin Agilis. Can’t comment on the ride of the Merlin (since it’s way to small for me), but the build quality of both is top notch - check out the welds on both machines - PERFECTION.
Have a Merlin Agilis for training. Merlin Aerial for tri and an older Litespeed Tachyon.
Don’t believe you can go wrong with either brand. Workmanship and ride seem to be identical to me although think the Merlin "styling " is a little more subtle. i.e. decals, head badge etc.
Melrin generate more comments from the “older roadies” while Litespeed seems to be better known all the way around.
fal7 in Houston
either bike would be great. in the frame hierarchy, I believe the cyrene is a step above the tuscanny, more or less equal to the litespeed classic. here in litespeed country, litespeed has always been considered the performance brand of the two. lots and lots of litespeeds, not so many merlins. I’m sure this has much to do with litespeed being the hometown product and merlin having a different pedigree. but as any informed cyclist will agree, either is a fine bike. nothing quite like east tennessee ti.
One thing you might look at is the chainstay measurements between the two brrands and the different models they offer. If i remember correctly, when i was shopping and eventually traded from a Litespeed Arenberg (similar to the Classic) to the Tuscany, the chainstay measurements were pretty much all over the board. My Tuscany is .5sm shorter in the chainstay than the Arenberg, and i like it alot. It made for a much quicker handling bike, very helpful on slow climbs as well as quick turning transitiions (so was the stiffer headtube and BB). I forgot the Merlin i looked at but it was about .1 longer than the Arenberg for a .6 total difference. I could definately tell the difference. I think the Ultimate is the only one shorter than the Tuscany/Vortex.
Good Luck- post pictures.
Merlin Cielo…pure art…Campy carbon…with some other exotic parts and why bother riding it…just sit back and be in love.
Merlin Cielo…pure art…Campy carbon…with some other exotic parts and why bother riding it…just sit back and be in love
Just bought a cielo for a deal i couldnt pass up. Took her on a 40k today and im in love. The guy who previously owned it just had it sitting in his office as a work of art. What a shame. I can guarantee it will see many many miles now! I am in love…