Objective:
• Merlin reviews by Rite Aid Professional Cycling Team
• Merlin CR 3/2.5
Comments and Reviews by Rite Aid Professional Cycling Team
Brad Viera (KID)
• Merlin CR 3/2.5: best handling bike I have ever ridden, stiff bottom bracket, very responsive, forgiving ride.
Christoph Herby
• Merlin frame: Unbelievable, this bike is a world of difference from any other racing frame I have used in the past. The main reason I am so giddy about this bike is the handling. Racing on this frame, I have noticed a tangible improvement in my ability to rail through hard corners. The Kellogg geometry, combined with the smooth titanium ride, makes this bike a real thrill to race.
Arch McKown
• Merlin: very buttery ride, smooth on most road surfaces. Very stiff and responsive at the same time. A nice stiff yet compliant ride!
Mike Beers (Speedy)
• The frame, "Best handling bike I have ever been on". If you cannot make it around a corner fast on this frame, you need to quit riding. Frame is very stiff climbing but does not beat the crap out of you on a long ride. Better then the top of line all carbon bikes I have owned. It offers a good feel/feedback of the road without transmitting undo shock. The fork offers good lateral stiffness for handling stability but absorbs shock well too. Best bang for the buck frame and fork set available right now.
Peter Penzell
• Merlin: Tom Kellogg has designed one of the best handling frames I have ever ridden. It corners like its on rails, yet has some life to the frame. The artisanship that Merlin put into the frame is apparent from the second you start riding.
John DeLong
• The CR 3/2.5 frame is a solid ride it allows me to corner harder than I was able to on the steel/carbon Lemond I rode last year. The bike is stiff but still gives me a lot of road feel. I really enjoy being able to feel the road after being on aluminum that just feels like it is dinging along or carbon that is muting the road real. The Merlin frame is similar to my favorite steel bike but is stiffer and lighter. The only complaint I have is that the frame stickers scratch off easily. The Merlin CR 3/2.5 is providing me with a strong platform to excel from for this years racing season.
Josh Taylor
• This bike just asks you get out of the saddle and GO! Fast and smooth is the name of the game and Merlin has made a perfect racing bike to do the job for our Team. The huge down tube on the L and XL bikes is perfect for us big men at the front of the race doing all the work. Bottom line is…This bike goes like hell.
