20 years ago, Merlin built the "Original" contemporary titanium road and mountain bike. The standards that we set to build the finest titanium frames possible, still exists today, as we continue to refine on bicycles that are light, strong and have that original magical ride quality.

The best material to build bicycles with is titanium. Our Mantra is Make choices that make the bikes better. It is the criteria we live by when making decisions regarding the entire frame design and building process. That's why, of all the materials available today, we choose titanium. An unsurpassed strength-to-weight ratio and superb physical properties at lower weights give titanium the unique ability to absorb road shock while retaining excellent torsional resistance to counteract pedaling loads. Add to that titanium's phenomenally high fatigue strength and the fact that it doesn't rust or corrode, and there is simply no better frame material choice. Ultimately, titanium's biggest benefit is that it enables you to have more fun and get more enjoyment out of your bike and your riding experience. And that is what it's all about.

We did not stop at the decision to choose titanium, we have refined our tubing and insist on tubing from the world's finest titanium mill custom drawn to our exclusive MTS (Merlin Tubing Specification)standards https://www.merlinbike.shop/2006/classic/tech.aspx and https://www.merlinbike.shop/2006/works/technology.aspx The real core of what makes titanium and especially Merlin so good is the way we use the material, we retain all of the potential resiliency of titanium. The result is riders feel fresher and more comfortable in the latter stages of longer rides and races on Merlin frames than they will on any other titanium frame. .

Tom Kellogg (the godfather of Merlin) has a very holistic view of the bicycle and its performance. This view is seen in the lack of radical, and ride quality altering, shaping of the tubeset. But, when it is called for, (the Works line) Tom will use mild manipulation of tubing which is easy of the eyes and enhances the performance of those bikes.

Tom's approach to overall geometry is two fold: Fit and Handling.

Fit: Tom has used his 30+ years of custom fitting, designing, and building of bicycles to create geometries that will fit the largest percentage of people. Top tube length, seat angle and seat tube length dimensions make up fit geometry. The number of sizes offered in each Merlin model help to get an ideal fit without necessarily requiring a custom design. Of course as America's leading custom frame company, Merlin would love to build you next (last) bicycle.

Handling: The handling characteristics of geometry come from drop, chainstay length, head angle and fork rake. These factors determine how the bike functions beyond fit. Again Tom uses his experience in riding, racing, designing, building and fitting bikes to develop these geometries. The one word Tom uses should be used to describe the Merlin ride and geometry is consistency. The 49cm bike is designed to perform the same as the 61. This consistency is used to describe not only the ride and handling similarities between sizes but also the overall performance and handling of the bike. When riding at five or fifty, the bike will handle the same. This allows a rider to develop an immediate rapport with their new bike and complete confidence while riding the bike in different conditions. You may have heard of the phrase "magical ride of titanium" that gets used so often. The phrase was originally used in a test report describing Merlin bikes in 1987. Ride a Merlin and you will understand.

Attention to detail:

• Merlin goes beyond aerospace grade with our custom drawn MTS standards that exceeds aerospace standards for straightness, ovality and wall thickness.
• Merlin requires specific heat treating and cold-working to meet our minimum tensile strength of 135,000 PSI
• Merlin tubes tolerances are the highest in the industry.
• Merlin measures and weighs every tube that comes in the door as part of the inventory inspection process.

Proprietary filler rod: An obscure detail, but very useful. We choose a special blend filler rod that will more closely match the parent metal vs. using a standard 6/4 rod. . It may not result in a perceivable difference in ride quality, but this attention to detail certainly adds value and confidence.

Fully self-sourced frame fittings: A visit to our machine shop will show you that we make all of the titanium fittings for the frame in house. While others my source the dropouts, cable guides, and bottom bracket shells we do not skimp on the details of making them ourselves. This is a benefit for refinements and R & D, because we also make the dyes and tools to make the parts, so we can always try new things to improve the bikes appearance, feel and function.

21 point inspection process: Each frame travels through the build process with a 21 point inspection process card. This card is signed off by the specialist in that area. By controlling every step of the build process, errors are caught before the next step begins. Improvement of each step improves the overall quality of the final bicycle. The rider gets a bicycle built with the highest levels of strength, alignment and precision.