New Merlin Agilis Build
03-20-07, 07:27 PM
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New Merlin Agilis Build
I have ridden and owned Ti before, but finally have a real job (just out of grad school) to get a nice Ti frame to last me a while. I settled on a Merlin Agilis before I even found one, because I really like the use of round tubes in a frame that is supposed to be pretty darn stiff (even in the face of all the fancy shaped tubes on the Litespeed line). I also like to think this is the sweet spot for a Ti frame - maybe not the best material for a superlight frame (can get flexy if it gets too thin), but great for a light, stiff, comfortable ride. Still, with the Agilis at 2.8 lbs its very light and very durable, with a nice mix of ride quality and stiffness.
Also thanks to SpongeDad for helping me convince myself to go with the Agilis. Well, I got a heck of a deal on Ebay (frame, fork, headset under $750!), so here she is:
Gotta love the engraved bottom bracket:
The build consists mainly of older 9 spd parts, mostly Ultegra except 105 shifters and rear derailer.
For now, Ultegra/Open Pro wheels even though they are complete overkill for my 145 lbs...wheels will be the next upgrade most likely.
When Merlin decides to design a frame that is their 'rocket' they dont mess around. Compared to my previous Ti rides (rode a Merlin Extralight as well) I find this noticeably stiffer, even when dumping everything I've got into the cranks. My first ride was last weekend and it absolutely flew up the climbs, with complete ease compared to my old steel frame. I love it!
However, there is a bummer with this frame: Merlin, what were you thinking putting water bottle mounts so low on the seat tube? The front deraileur clamp lands right in the middle of the water bottle bolts, and I don't even have room to get my mini pump in there all the way. If I had paid the full retail I would be pissed
But it's just something to live with.
Also thanks to SpongeDad for helping me convince myself to go with the Agilis. Well, I got a heck of a deal on Ebay (frame, fork, headset under $750!), so here she is:
Gotta love the engraved bottom bracket:
The build consists mainly of older 9 spd parts, mostly Ultegra except 105 shifters and rear derailer.
For now, Ultegra/Open Pro wheels even though they are complete overkill for my 145 lbs...wheels will be the next upgrade most likely.
When Merlin decides to design a frame that is their 'rocket' they dont mess around. Compared to my previous Ti rides (rode a Merlin Extralight as well) I find this noticeably stiffer, even when dumping everything I've got into the cranks. My first ride was last weekend and it absolutely flew up the climbs, with complete ease compared to my old steel frame. I love it!
However, there is a bummer with this frame: Merlin, what were you thinking putting water bottle mounts so low on the seat tube? The front deraileur clamp lands right in the middle of the water bottle bolts, and I don't even have room to get my mini pump in there all the way. If I had paid the full retail I would be pissed
But it's just something to live with.
03-20-07, 07:44 PM
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Another reason why I love Merlins!
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03-20-07, 07:52 PM
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Sweet. With so many different tube shapes these days, it's nice to see a more traditional looking frame. Enjoy!!
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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
03-20-07, 07:56 PM
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Pretty sexy! Love Merlins, can't wait until I can afford one!
03-20-07, 07:57 PM
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I like Merlins 
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03-20-07, 08:00 PM
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Fine looking frame!
I love Merlin too.
I think they did that on purpose. My setup looks pretty much the same as yours and my bottle cage and pump fit fine:
I love Merlin too.
The front deraileur clamp lands right in the middle of the water bottle bolts, and I don't even have room to get my mini pump in there all the way.
03-20-07, 08:00 PM
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Litespeed fork on a Merlin?
Isn't that like shipping something UPS in a FEDEX box?
Isn't that like shipping something UPS in a FEDEX box?
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03-20-07, 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Cypress
Litespeed fork on a Merlin?
Isn't that like shipping something UPS in a FEDEX box?
Isn't that like shipping something UPS in a FEDEX box?
It's more like Fulcrum Wheels with a Campagnolo Cassette
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Last edited by ViperZ; 03-20-07 at 08:23 PM.
03-20-07, 08:14 PM
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Yeah the fork isn't what I really wanted, but it came with the deal. Soon enough I'll upgrade it, even though its a pretty nice full carbon fork already.
Strong bad - my pump mount for the Topeak Road Morph Mini mounts it right where a water bottle would be, so it literaly runs into the bottom bracket/downtube. If it was mounted off to the side a bit it would probably work.
Strong bad - my pump mount for the Topeak Road Morph Mini mounts it right where a water bottle would be, so it literaly runs into the bottom bracket/downtube. If it was mounted off to the side a bit it would probably work.
