The Merlin returns..
11-05-06 | 02:42 PM
#1
Thread Starter
ride lots
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
The Merlin returns..
I have a 91 Merlin Road that I have trained and raced on for 15 years. In early august, I suddenly noticed lots of flex and unexpected gear shifts when jumping out of the saddle. On close inspection, I noticed that the downtube had a crack in it. The crack had propagated about 2/3 of the the way around the tube.
downtube crack
I contacted Merlin and because I still had the original receipt they said it would be covered under warranty.
Unfortunately they said it would take 5 to 6 weeks to fix. Because the bike was 15 years old, and had the original proprietary BB system and downtube shifter bosses, and I just couldn't go that long without a bike, I asked if they could just cut me a deal on a new CR 3/2.5 instead. The said they would give me a discount on a new CR /2.5 AND fix my old frame too! So within a week I had a new CR 3/2.5 to build up. Here is what I ended up with:
Merlin CR 3/2.5
Well, I was expecting to get my old road frame back and see what I could sell it for. I got it back after about 6 weeks and I couldn't believe my eyes. The frame looked like brand new! The factory had replaced the downtube, replaced the bottom bracket shell, put new shift cable stops on the head tube, and refinished and re-stickered the entire bike. The only indication that is was not a new bike was the old style rear dropouts with the original serial number stamp on it.
91 Merlin Road reborn!
bottom bracket shell
head tube
Many thanks to the people at Merlin.
They really know what customer support is, and they really know how to make fine Ti bikes!
You really can't own too many Ti bikes can you?
downtube crack
I contacted Merlin and because I still had the original receipt they said it would be covered under warranty.
Unfortunately they said it would take 5 to 6 weeks to fix. Because the bike was 15 years old, and had the original proprietary BB system and downtube shifter bosses, and I just couldn't go that long without a bike, I asked if they could just cut me a deal on a new CR 3/2.5 instead. The said they would give me a discount on a new CR /2.5 AND fix my old frame too! So within a week I had a new CR 3/2.5 to build up. Here is what I ended up with:
Merlin CR 3/2.5
Well, I was expecting to get my old road frame back and see what I could sell it for. I got it back after about 6 weeks and I couldn't believe my eyes. The frame looked like brand new! The factory had replaced the downtube, replaced the bottom bracket shell, put new shift cable stops on the head tube, and refinished and re-stickered the entire bike. The only indication that is was not a new bike was the old style rear dropouts with the original serial number stamp on it.
91 Merlin Road reborn!
bottom bracket shell
head tube
Many thanks to the people at Merlin.
They really know what customer support is, and they really know how to make fine Ti bikes!
You really can't own too many Ti bikes can you?
Last edited by Strong Bad; 11-05-06 at 02:56 PM.
11-05-06 | 02:46 PM
#3
Well, duh, Mr Obvious.
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,271
Likes: 0
From: NIU town
Bikes: see sig, and others
Sweet bikes!
If you're at the front, who's taking the picture?
If you're at the front, who's taking the picture?
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03 Specialized Allez CrMo-Singlespeed conversion
03 Specialized Allez CrMo-Singlespeed conversion
11-05-06 | 04:47 PM
#7
if x=byh then x+1=byn
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,442
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: See signature
Nice result, Strong Bad. It appears you've equipped both bikes with DA and the same sticker-less wheels (appear to be Reynolds Alta Race), or you moved the gear from one frame to the other for the pictures - so which is it? Either way, great bikes and a great service story. 
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'00 TiSports Titanium - DA 9 speed------ '01 KHS Flite 800 - DA/Utegra 9 speed mix
‘02 Ellsworth Flight - Ultegra 10 speed -.'03 Basso Coral - Ultegra 10 speed
'03 Specialized Allez Pro - DA 10 speed .'04 Scattante CFR Limited - DA 9 speed
'05 KHS Flite 2000 - Ultegra 9 speed -... '06 Flyte SRS-3 - DA 9 speed-------
'05 Serotta Fierte - Utegra 10 speed--..-'07 Pedal Force RS - SRAM Force
'00 TiSports Titanium - DA 9 speed------ '01 KHS Flite 800 - DA/Utegra 9 speed mix
‘02 Ellsworth Flight - Ultegra 10 speed -.'03 Basso Coral - Ultegra 10 speed
'03 Specialized Allez Pro - DA 10 speed .'04 Scattante CFR Limited - DA 9 speed
'05 KHS Flite 2000 - Ultegra 9 speed -... '06 Flyte SRS-3 - DA 9 speed-------
'05 Serotta Fierte - Utegra 10 speed--..-'07 Pedal Force RS - SRAM Force
11-05-06 | 05:08 PM
#8
Thread Starter
ride lots
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Originally Posted by blandin
Nice result, Strong Bad. It appears you've equipped both bikes with DA and the same sticker-less wheels (appear to be Reynolds Alta Race), or you moved the gear from one frame to the other for the pictures - so which is it? Either way, great bikes and a great service story.
11-05-06 | 06:01 PM
#9
Cardiac Case
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 3
From: Dropped... about 5 miles back...
Bikes: Trek, Cannondale, Litespeed, Lynskey
Awesome! 
God I love titanium!
God I love titanium!
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11-05-06 | 06:28 PM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 0
From: fogtown...san francisco
Bikes: Ron Cooper, Time VXSR, rock lobster, rock lobster, serotta, ritchey, kestrel, paramount
the same thing happened to a friend...the crack was at the same place. I think the downtube is thin there and the welds for the shifter bosses weaken the tubes just enough that they crack about 12 to 15 years down the line.
11-05-06 | 07:30 PM
#11
Thread Starter
ride lots
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Originally Posted by fogrider
the same thing happened to a friend...the crack was at the same place. I think the downtube is thin there and the welds for the shifter bosses weaken the tubes just enough that they crack about 12 to 15 years down the line.
11-05-06 | 09:20 PM
#12
This is the reason I want a Merlin. Top notch bikes built by top notch guys.
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Merlin TR3/2.5
The only Grey Matter, Ride Ti, everything else is...just a toy
Merlin TR3/2.5
The only Grey Matter, Ride Ti, everything else is...just a toy
11-06-06 | 08:30 AM
#14
Originally Posted by Strong Bad
...
Many thanks to the people at Merlin.
They really know what customer support is, and they really know how to make fine Ti bikes!
...
Many thanks to the people at Merlin.
They really know what customer support is, and they really know how to make fine Ti bikes!
...
__________________
11-06-06 | 08:33 AM
#15
Carpe Diem
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,149
Likes: 1
From: MABRA
Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1
Wow, awesome customer service!
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"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
11-07-06 | 10:45 PM
#16
my nice bike is at home
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 970
Likes: 37
From: Brooklyn, NY USA
Bikes: 2011 BMC Race Machine / 2012 BMC Road Machine / Trek 2300 / '90's Merlin/ '70's Raleigh 20/ Ti-'swift' folder / Erickson w/S&S couplers
As a Merlin owner I am glad to hear this story (even though a used one in the early 1990's)
