lung

Since I'm so stoked at being a Ti owner again, and as I build up my Merlin Agilis (put fork, stem, bars on today) I was hoping to see some Merlins.... anyone?

coasting 

i have a merlin carbon. can i play?

SpongeDad

What trail are you shooting for? I think my Agilis is about 56mm with the stock Reynolds fork and I'm wondering if a fork with less rake would make it more stable on the descents. (No wobbles here, I just stink at/wuss out when descending).

lung

Here's what I got so far:

2002 Merlin Agilis

Frame was originally mine, new in 2002. Sold it in 2005. Got it back 2 weeks ago for $300!

After hours of scotch brite rubbing and new decal application. ... looks like brand new! That's what I love about ti!



Headset, Thomson X2 stem, and ITM bars added. (I had the Reynolds Fork laying around Will upgrade in future)



Next up: SRAM Force brakes, Force front dérailleur, and KCNC Ti Pro Lite 8000 post (all on the way)

go4gr8

Wicked Merlin!!

mzeffex 

Did you personally apply the decals? They look really great.

Kai Winters

My '99 Merlin Ti Classic with a new '06 sticker kit I just put on it.

SpongeDad

2005 Agilis -
A few changes though - seat post is now Masterpiece Elite - I HATED the Reynolds post. And now has Aspide saddle.

lung

Yes, I did it. Took lots of time, and lots of meticulous rubbing (burnishing) of the decals. End result was great. I also used Grade-A scotch brite pads and #0000 superfine steel wool. When I got the frame it lookd awful. But now frame looks new. That's what's great about Titanium.

coasting 

beautiful so far, lung. can't wait to see the complete.

linux_author

Machka 

Rowan has a carbon Merlin.

lung

I'd love to see some new, updated pics!

Tio

Not an Agilis, but you can check out one of your Merlin's "kin" if you follow the signature link below

SpongeDad

lung - why would you sell the Agilis in the first place, and why would anyone sell it back to you?

lung

I succumbed to the carbon hype. Though I now have a beautiful carbon GURU, I went through 4 other carbon bikes before I found one I really liked. The whole time I was without my Ti bike I found myself lusting over them and wishing I never had sold it.

The Story:
I purchased the bike in late 2002 from Colorado Cyclist. I sold the bike to a good friend in 2005. He then sold it to a mutual friend in 2007. The bike was ridden, but not much. Oddly, I bumped into the dude who owned it at a coffee shop about two weeks ago. He mentioned that he still had the bike but was getting a new Quattro Aussie. I asked him what he was going to do with the old Merlin frame... he replied:

"I don't know, I guess sell it... why? You wanna buy it back?"

I said "how much?" (expecting a big number).

He replies, "I dunno... how's $300 sound?"

I wrote him a check on the spot and picked up the bike 2 hours later. Still got the original owner's manual.

The sentimental value of this frame is now priceless and I will never sell this bike again. I will own it until it dies or I die... whichever comes first. (probably me).

I hope to have the build done in time for some cool November rides in the NC fall season. Can't wait!

It's great to be a Ti owner again. It's amazing how you can spend a few hours with a scotch brite pad, some steel wool, some Pledge, invest $25 in some new decals... and voilŕ! Bike looks like the day you bought it! How cool is that?

merlinextraligh

My Merlin:




I just orderer the classic decal kit to redo the decals.

umop ap!sdn

I love Ti frames, and merlins in particular, but I don't understand why you would go out of their way to buy and apply decals. FWIW I think de-badged looks much better.

cshell

Nice Giraffes

lung

To each his/her own. I like having the Merlin name loud and proud.

Nachoman

Can you tell us a bit more about that process? And how would you recommend buffing out one or two small scratches on a ti frame? Would you skip the scotch brite phase and go directly to superfine steel wool?

By the way, where did you get the superfine steel wool? I went to home depo and an art store and couldn't find any.

SpongeDad

Yeah, not sure what it means to burnish a decal (I have a replacement set for my Agilis, but haven't had to use them yet).

lung

No, begin with "kitchen grade" pad (the green kind) for bad scratches. Then finish entire bike with the "grade A" kind (brown color). Cut into thin 1" strip. then quickly, briskly, and lightly buff over tubes up and down in a uniform pattern on the frame (around the tubes... not long ways). Do this for while. Eventually it will begin to look like a new frame. I also use steel wool super fine grade which is #0000. in between. Scotch brite, then steel wool, then finally scotch brite again. Got ithe steel wool and grade-a scotch brites at local hardware store. Once done... I hit it with a soaking of windex...wipe it down, then buff it with Pledge. Looks awesome. Go get a six-pack, make sure your not rushed, and spend a few hours. It pays off.

lung

Peel clear backing off decal. Place decal on frame (be exact, once on, you can't move it). take a credit card and pre-burnish it (rub it briskly to create friction and separate the decal from the backing). Now remove the white backing... you now just have the decal with the clear plastic. Now continue to "burnish" the decal briskly with the credit card until it pulls away fro the plastic backing. Your goal is to transfer the decal from being attached to the clear plastic to being part of the frame now. There's way more to it than putting it on like a windshield decal or bumper sticker. Completely different animal. Now, Carefully peel the backing away... if it starts to peel the decal off... stop... put back on and keep burnishing until it works. It took me like 20 minutes per decal on the big Logos... the small one's came off quick. Good luck.

lung

Maybe this thread should be retitled: How to restore your Ti frame!?!