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ake the choice that makes it better. It's our mantra. And it's our only criteria for making
decisions throughout Merlin's entire frame-crafting process. That's why of all the materials
available for building a bicycle frame with today, WE CHOOSE TITANIUM, UNDISPUTEDLY THE WORLD'S
PERFECT FRAME MATERIAL. An unsurpassed strength-to-weight ratio and superb physical properties
at lower weights give titanium the unique ability to damp road shock while retaining excellent
torque 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's simply no better choice.
But we don't stop there. Merlin tubing is custom drawn to our exclusive MTS 3/2.5
(Merlin Tube Specification) standards. EXCEEDING AEROSPACE STANDARDS
FOR STRAIGHTNESS, OVALITY, AND WALL THICKNESS, the MTS 3/2.5 standard ensures dimensional accuracy through intermediate
ultrasonic testing and eddy current testing, which is usually omitted for non-aerospace tubing.
Our standard also requires specific heat treating and cold working to meet our minimum yield of
133,000 psi. The result: uncompromisingly high quality titanium tubing.
We also choose to specify an exceptional number of tube sizes, varying incrementally in diameter
and wall thickness to optimize ride, handling and strength characteristics. Is it really necessary
to go this far? We think so. This allows us TO CREATE SIZE-SPECIFIC TUBE
SETS in which tube gauge and diameter are individually selected for each frame size and style, guaranteeing the best possible
combination of weight vs. ride.
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 nce we have our raw material in hand, the really crucial tasks begin.
Like making the brake bosses, shifter bosses, bottom brackets, cable stops and
beautifully sculpted 6-4 titanium dropouts. Our craftspeople painstakingly machine
each part with AN UNDILUTED FOCUS ON PRECISION. After all, each of these pieces are
a signature of Merlin quality.
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e could have chosen a quicker weld process. The unique procedure we've developed for welding
our frames takes the better part of a day. But it's worth it. THE DISTINCTIVE MERLIN WELD HAS
REIGNED FOR FIFTEEN YEARS as the most aesthetically pleasing weld in cycling. It's hard to
imagine, even for us, that such a subtle and uniformly circular puddle pattern could ever
result from the volcanic 3,200° F temperatures needed to weld titanium.
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y far one of the most critical choices we've made has been to perform much of our machining
work after the frame has been welded. Although facing and threading a completed frame is a
very difficult and costly process compared to doing the work beforehand on a raw bottom-bracket
shell, it is the Merlin way to guarantee perfect alignment of the bottom-bracket axis with
the mainframe. Since the heat generated by welding can often minutely warp the bottom-bracket
shell, our process of machining the shell after welding guarantees perfect bottom-bracket threads.
Similarly, post-weld facing and reaming of the head tube and seat tube ensure accuracy in these
areas as well.
In the end, each choice adds up to one of the most beautiful performance bikes in the world.
A bike replete with universally recognized quality signatures. The custom tubing renowned
for smoothing rough patches of road or single track. The precision alignment you feel as you
carve corners. The sculpted 6-4 dropouts that provide effortless wheel changes. The singularly
aesthetic weld that says you're uncompromising. The signature satin finish that turns heads as
you whisk by. And the guarantee that says you have a bike for life. Choosing a Merlin reflects
as positively on the quality of your choices as it does on ours.
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