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Rack mounts for my Merlin

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Rack mounts for my Merlin

Old 12-07-22, 03:37 PM
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MikeM21
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Rack mounts for my Merlin

I may need to replace my commuting rig before too long and am thinking my Merlin would fit the bill if it had rack mounts.

I asked Merlin and they say they aren't doing any frame modifications.

Are there any recommendations for a metal shop that can add titanium rack mounts to my frame? Or is this a crazy idea.

TIA

Mike
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Old 12-07-22, 03:40 PM
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Do you have eyelets at the dropout? If yes, just get a seat collar rack mount adapter like this one from Salsa. (https://www.redbike.ca/product/salsa...r-374211-1.htm).

I have used a similar adapter for years and works great.
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Old 12-07-22, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by MikeM21
Are there any recommendations for a metal shop that can add titanium rack mounts to my frame? Or is this a crazy idea.
Ti Cycles near Portland OR still does frame repairs/mods. Dave Levy there is a genius-wizard with Ti. Not cheap though.
If interested, you can have him increase the clearance between the chainstays to fit fatter tires too. He's got a clever way to do that.

Disclosure: I used to work there, ~25 years ago. No connection currently, haven't spoken to him in years. No feud or anything, it's just that I'm in Seattle and I don't go to Portland much.

Here's how I did the eyelets on the Ti MTB I made for my wife, back when I worked there. It later got converted to a grocery-getter with a stout Cr-Mo cargo rack. No qualms about the eyelets strength, they're 6/4 alloy, welded to 6/4 alloy dropouts using 6/4 welding rod. With proper prep and good penetration of course... You could hang the whole bike (and rider) off this eyelet and shake it around, not coming off! Stronger than the integral eyelets on steel dropouts, I am sure.


Mark B
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Old 12-07-22, 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Atlas Shrugged
Do you have eyelets at the dropout? If yes, just get a seat collar rack mount adapter like this one from Salsa. (https://www.redbike.ca/product/salsa...r-374211-1.htm).

I have used a similar adapter for years and works great.
Nope, no eyelets.
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Old 12-07-22, 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by bulgie
Ti Cycles near Portland OR still does frame repairs/mods. Dave Levy there is a genius-wizard with Ti. Not cheap though.
If interested, you can have him increase the clearance between the chainstays to fit fatter tires too. He's got a clever way to do that.

Disclosure: I used to work there, ~25 years ago. No connection currently, haven't spoken to him in years. No feud or anything, it's just that I'm in Seattle and I don't go to Portland much.

Here's how I did the eyelets on the Ti MTB I made for my wife, back when I worked there. It later got converted to a grocery-getter with a stout Cr-Mo cargo rack. No qualms about the eyelets strength, they're 6/4 alloy, welded to 6/4 alloy dropouts using 6/4 welding rod. With proper prep and good penetration of course... You could hang the whole bike (and rider) off this eyelet and shake it around, not coming off! Stronger than the integral eyelets on steel dropouts, I am sure.


Mark B
That's exactly what I need! Hoping to find someone on the East Coast though.
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Old 12-08-22, 04:52 AM
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Bilenky in Philly does all manner of modifications to frames, including Ti frames.
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Old 12-08-22, 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by dsaul
Bilenky in Philly does all manner of modifications to frames, including Ti frames.
Thanks. Merlin recommended them as well. I think a drive to Philly is in my future.
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Old 12-08-22, 02:30 PM
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Post pictures when you've got it done.
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Old 12-09-22, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by MikeM21
I think a drive to Philly is in my future.
You can do that, but I think contacting them some other way first is probably better. My understanding is they are backed up.
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