You need to get your facts straight. First off, Tom Kellogg did not found Merlin. When Merlin first started up, they consulted with Tom to help design the frame. After they were up and running, most design was done by Rob Vandermaark. Tom was then consulted when they did custom frames. I worked with Tom when I had a custom Extralight made. Secondly, when you order a Spectrum Ti bike, it is built to his specs by your friendly welders at Litespeed/Merlin/ABG. He then does his finishing work on the frame and delivers to customer. Unless things have changed since I toured the factory a few years ago, when you get a Spectrum, it is being handled by the same team of welders that do custom Merlin or Litespeed orders. When ABG acquired Merlin, Tom went to the facility to insure that they still met his standards to reamin his Ti vendor. The fact that they met his standards back then and that the relationship still stands speaks to the quality of their work. I'm not saying they are any better or worse than Lynskey, Moots, etc. I'm just trying to set the record straight on the Spectrum/ABG relationship.