jet sanchEz

This bike is my size and it looks to be in pretty good shape, this is the only photo from the ad and the seller has it listed at 2500$CDN, which I think is a pretty high price. He has been trying to sell it for close to a year now so I am pretty sure I can talk him down a fair bit...I am just curious what the forum might think would be a good price for the bike and the extras. Any ideas of the year of the bike? The quill stem would indicate late '90s to me but I could be wrong...is there anything I should be aware of or wary of when buying an older Ti bike?

Thanks!

"Merlin Extralight titanium road bike for sale. 57cm DuraAce components Time carbon fork with extra Campy wheels. SPD pedals with 46mm Shimano shoes. Was used for triathlons. Selling due to health reasons."

slushlover2

I would be on that immediately if everything is in perfect condition and if it fits. That's a decent price, $2000 would be better.

miamijim

Looks like an 8-speed Dura Ace RD w/ 7410 cranks but I could be mistaken as I think its a 1999 model which was equipted with 9-speed. MSRP in 1999 was $4350

The bikes worth ~30-40% of MSRP maximum plus whatever the spare wheels are worth. Bikes like the Merlin is question are still depreciating but then again new bikes of similar quality and specification are so expensive that its helping to keep the price of bikes of this vintage propped up.

northbend 

First off, nice bike and the ride qualities of an Extralight are delightful. A good quality Ti bike is an excellent value if looking to buy one used.

I bought my 1999 Extralight used off of ebay in 2007, full Record 9 Group for 1800 US. Checking the serial number later I found it to have been mfg'd in late 1998. The shift cable stops on your example are lower on the downtube suggests it's older than mine. Worth maybe 1500, I think everyone hopes their bikes are worth more than they really are. Good luck.

KonAaron Snake 

The older Merlins seem to sell for around $1200 - $1800 depending on parts group. I'm not sure what the exchange rate is, but that seems high to me. I have a butted Merlin (I don't think it's the extra light, but not sure) frame from 92' with a 9sp group and I absolutely love it. It's easily the best bike I've ever ridden and I can't recommend it enough.

jet sanchEz

Great input folks, thanks.

The exchange rate is pretty much on par as 1 USD =1.0415 CAD and I have seen them go on eBay for $1500 or so...I doubt I could talk him down that much.

I was thinking that the shifter pods look like 8-speed Dura Ace and that the crank might be a 9-speed model.

KonAaron Snake 

The ebay price I've seen generally hovers around 1500...depending on a multitude of factors. I'd let him sit on it for a while. If it sells at his asking price...you don't get it, but if he's truly priced too high...he may be more amenable to a fair price offer in another month or two. A lot depends on how much he needs the money and why he's selling it.

I would NOT pay that much, but I also definitely recommend Merlins. There is no bike at all, not a confente, not a Hetchins, NOTHING, that I would rather ride on a given day than my Merlin. Keeping in mind...I've never ridden a Confente or a Hetchins :-)

miamijim

Keep in mind that the spare wheels are worth $300 +/-. The very deep V's may be worth more.

merlinextraligh

I have a 1998 Merlin Extralight. It's a really nice bike, almost as light as new CF bikes, durable, and very comfortable ride.

I believe the bike you're looking at may be 1996 or before. A few things changed on them over the years. The seat bolt on mine is in a seperate aluminum collar, not integrated in the seat tube. (I also had a 1996 that got stolen, and I believe it had the seat bolt like the one above.)

Also the chainstays were beefed up to 3/4" tubing which stiffened the ride a bit.

I agree with the posters above not to pay over $1500.