tuxbailey

I have been reading and asking about Ti bike here since last year. Although I have the desire, my budget does not allow me to get any of the high end ones (Seven, Lynskey, Merlin, etc.) I am pretty much settled with the fact that when I am ready for one, it will be one of BD’s offering (nothing wrong with it, I think they are good.) So it is to my utter surprise that I saw this beauty in my local CL and the size is right.

I joked with my wife that it got to be a scam (it is cheaper than the cheapest BD Ti.) She was like, “if you want it badly, just get it, even though I haven’t hit my previously agreed upon weight target

I followed up with the seller and despite some hit or miss we finally met up today even though the approaching EC storm was almost here. Took a spin in the parking lot, combed through the frame for cracks and everything is in order. So we made a deal and I even got it for $100 less.

I am so stoked. Took the bike home and my wife was surprised. She didn’t think the deal was real and she gave me some grief that now she wants a high end handbag. I hope I can ride this bike for a long, long time.

Coming from a steel Jamis Ventura, this being an upgrade is an understatement.

The bike I got was a 2005 Merlin Extralight with Campy Chorus 10s and Proton wheelset.

I have to give credit to the seller for working with me for the week and let me see the bike first (I replied the ad one hour after he posted.) He said that he had other offers on the table (some from out of state) but wanted to let me have first dip.

I would like to thank merlinextraligh for giving me advice on the Merlin.

Some pictures – No white garage doors so I have to settle with white closet doors.

riversiderider

Sweet!

Congrats.

FR4NCH1SE

man we are about to get pounded, you wont to get to ride that bad boy for two weeks or so. This is ridiculous, this storm is going to hammer us. Very nice bike, what did you pay for your bike? I also bought a sweet bike from walmart.com with nice components. I am guessing it wont be here till friday. Congrats on the bike it looks sweet

kimconyc

That's a really nice bike. It hardly looks like it got used much.

kimconyc

Why did you buy another Walmart bike?

FR4NCH1SE

This one is different, I will post pics and videos of the bike, you will see, I think I got the steal of the century. Even if it is a walmart bike.

tuxbailey

Yes, the storm is a shame. I won't risk it now with snow and ice on the ground. It will give me some time to get pedals, get everything adjusted, etc.

I paid $1,500 for it. I figure it is a good deal because if I have gotten the frame separately and then get the rest f the bike via eBay, classified, it would be more like a $2,000 bike.

tuxbailey

I think your Walmart bike is very nice for the price, but the deal of the century has to be that new Madone 6.9 that the guy got for $1,500.

tuxbailey

Before anyone says this, I am not flipping it (stem.) It is very comfortable to my back as it is. And my back has some issues....

FR4NCH1SE

I agree not all of us are competition fit, my back also gets achy when I tuck to low. As for that madone deal, damn that is too sick, I am willing to bet, the idiot that sold the bike was rich and just was fredding it up a notch when he bought it and didn't care for it after a month and sold it as soon as possible. I love those type of people, makes deals worth while.

tuxbailey

Nah, you gotta read the thread more closely. It was a charity option sponsored by the bike shop. So it is brand new P1 from Trek. Now that is a STEAL.

Eclectus

That Merlin is like Nike Kobe V shoes. Keep a fire extinguisher next to it. It's TOO HOT.

entukay

https://snowpocalypsedc.com/

coasting 

that is beatiful. looks new too.

DArthurBrown

Sweet looking ride. I love the matte shine of Ti--wish I could afford one. And don't let anyone give it to you about the stem. There are a LOT of people on the road riding with a stem flipped down, no power to the pedals, and hands on the top.

mike868y

Wow. that is an awesome ride. Some great little details on the frame that really set it off. The great thing about ti is that all it can last for tens of years and be built up in many different, and very unique reiterations.

hendrick81

Nice frame...

mzeffex 

Very nice! Which city was it listed under?

Chandne

Nice, you did far better than your original plan. My stem is almost exactly like that.

AngryScientist 

you got an excellent deal. was it that clean when you bought it, or did you clean it up yourself?

tuxbailey

DC. But the seller had taken the ad down.

tuxbailey

It was that clean. All I did was taking a wet paper towel and wiped the frame once over. The seller was the second owner and he rode only like 500 miles (or less) in two years and the original owner was a bike shop manager, so he really took care of the bike.

BillyD

Welcome to the Merlin club. Very, very nice!

Noice!

tuxbailey

Thanks, once I get some pedals, bottle cages, etc. I will add the bike to the "Post your Titanium" thread

enjoi07

i feel bad.....for the FOOL who would sell his baby.