Road Cycling - Merline Cyrene '03 or Litespeed Firenze '04

Too much Ti!!!!! I just dropped by one of my LBSs. All I wanted to do was check out stuff, but now I want to buy a new Ti bike.

The sales guy says he can hook me up with an '03 Merlin Cyrene Ultegra for $3k. This includes pretty good components I don't want to get into details.

But then he showed me the '04 Litespeed Firenze Ultegra which goes for $2k. I'll want to upgrade the wheels and maybe do D-A so it will be cost about the same, if not more, than the Cyrene.

Does anyone have any ride experience on both?

I know that there are a lot of other factors to consider, but which would you pick?

Both are very nice bikes. You really cant go wrong with ether of them, fit should be your biggest consideration.

I would suggest that you also consider Dean, the frame will be made to order (size and geometry), and the price is much lower that Merlin or Litespeed. In fact you can get a top of the line Dean for middle of the line Merlin/Litespeed prices.

i'd go for the cyrene, even though it's more expensive. just because a) i like merlin and b) if the '03 is the one i'm thinking of, it has all of the "decals" engraved on the tubing, and it looks absolutely beautiful...like, that's serious attention to detail and craftsmanship.

tell me where you live. I need to come over and take some of this money from you. j/k
I have never even looked at either bike and probably never will.

Why not Independent Fabrications? www.ifbikes.com

Or Matt Chester?
www.mattchester.com
(ah yes, non-corporate owned Ti! This guy is a master.)

Too much Ti!!!!! I just dropped by one of my LBSs. All I wanted to do was check out stuff, but now I want to buy a new Ti bike.

The sales guy says he can hook me up with an '03 Merlin Cyrene Ultegra for $3k. This includes pretty good components I don't want to get into details.

But then he showed me the '04 Litespeed Firenze Ultegra which goes for $2k. I'll want to upgrade the wheels and maybe do D-A so it will be cost about the same, if not more, than the Cyrene.

Does anyone have any ride experience on both?

I know that there are a lot of other factors to consider, but which would you pick?

I've seen the Firenze at a store-not very attractive looking. Why not look into stepping up to a Litespeed Tuscany?

Check these out: Habanero Cycles (http://www.habcycles.com)

I just got mine on Thursday and it is very well built. Yes, people will tell you that it is made in China. Looking at the wels up close you wont be able to tell unless you have Ti welding expierence. I paid just over 2K and that was full Ultegra and custom sizing (I'm 6'4@235).

Just my 2 cents.

i'd go for the cyrene, even though it's more expensive. just because a) i like merlin and b) if the '03 is the one i'm thinking of, it has all of the "decals" engraved on the tubing, and it looks absolutely beautiful...like, that's serious attention to detail and craftsmanship.

I think the engraving logo is on the '04 frame. The '03 frame still has sticker decals, but that doesn't bother me :).

Yeah, I'm leaning towards the Cyrene.

I just thought about this. I could probably upgrade to '04 DA groupo if I don't get a wheelset. I have a pretty good set right now...Velomax Ascent II's that I can put on them. Hmmmm...

tell me where you live. I need to come over and take some of this money from you. j/k
I have never even looked at either bike and probably never will.

Why not Independent Fabrications? www.ifbikes.com

Or Matt Chester?
www.mattchester.com
(ah yes, non-corporate owned Ti! This guy is a master.)

Haven't found much feedback on IF frames. Have you ridden one?

Matt Chester only builds fixies/single speeds...bummer...he sounds like a cool guy to do business with...i think.

Check these out: Habanero Cycles (http://www.habcycles.com)

I just got mine on Thursday and it is very well built. Yes, people will tell you that it is made in China. Looking at the wels up close you wont be able to tell unless you have Ti welding expierence. I paid just over 2K and that was full Ultegra and custom sizing (I'm 6'4@235).

Just my 2 cents.

Hmmm...prices are definitely tempting. Let me know how your's rides after you put it through its paces. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

I've seen the Firenze at a store-not very attractive looking. Why not look into stepping up to a Litespeed Tuscany?

Yeah, I walked into my LBS with the Tuscany in mind, but they don't have the '03 frame in my size and the '04 is too expensive at this point. My price ceiling is around $3k.

The two frames are radically different, too. I read lots of reviews on the '03 frame, but not the '04.

Haven't found much feedback on IF frames. Have you ridden one?

Matt Chester only builds fixies/single speeds...bummer...he sounds like a cool guy to do business with...i think.

There was a day that Matt would build a geared bike too. Are you sure he no longer does? As far as IF goes, ridden both a MTB and CX...nice. If I had the money, I would buy one (I got to 'demo' one for a few months at the shop I worked at).

There was a day that Matt would build a geared bike too. Are you sure he no longer does? As far as IF goes, ridden both a MTB and CX...nice. If I had the money, I would buy one (I got to 'demo' one for a few months at the shop I worked at).

As far as Matt's website goes, that's what he wrote...fixed/single speeds only. I don't know if he's going to update that.

Anyway, I'd like to support my LBS so it's a battle between the Litespeed or the Merlin. I'm going to visit them this week to see what kind of pricing options I have.

Although, I am keen on the IF "peening" process and the benefits from it--->my background is mechanical engineering and I just can't help myself with stuff like that.

I haven't test ridden the Litespeed, but I did test ride the Merlin Cyrene (2002). I didn't care for it. It rode kinda dull. I like to feel more from the bike on my rides. I'm gonna throw in another recommendation for Ti bike...Airborne. Their Ti bikes are just as good (IMHO) and their customer service is simple incredible. You should check with them to see if there's a LBS near you that carries their bikes.