Congratulations, and thank you for the purchase of your Merlin Titanium frame. Titanium is the most durable and resilient material yet developed for lightweight, high-performance bicycle frames. Your Merlin was built to exacting standards of quality and alignment, and with reasonable care it will maintain those standards for years to come.

This manual provides information on the use and care of your frame. Please read it carefully, as some specifics regarding titanium differ from those of the steel, aluminum, or composite frames you may have owned in the past. Basic riding and repair information can be obtained from your dealer, or your local library or bookstore.

Your Merlin dealer is fully equipped to provide service for your bike, and is our authorized representative for all warranty claims and repairs. Should warranty or repair service be required, your dealer will contact us for return authorization and shipping instructions. If it's a warranty, we'll do our best to turn it around as quick as possible, however depending on the workload at that time you may have to be a bit patient. In other cases, we still try to turn it around as soon as possible. As for a rough time estimate, in the middle of the season, it can be 4 to 6 weeks.

Before Every Ride

Before you ride, take a few moments to check your bike's mechanical condition. Examine the tires for any cuts or debris in the tread, and spin the wheels to see that they are true. Check tire pressure, too.

Make sure that the wheels are fully seated in the dropouts, and that both wheel quick-releases are firmly closed. Squeeze the brakes, then check that your pads are centered and that the brakes properly adjusted. Finally, see that your patch kit and pump are in place.

Once a week, if you ride daily, or as your riding schedule demands, check the crankset bolts, bar and stem, water bottle bolts, headset locknut, and seatpost bolt. Tighten as necessary. Examine the brake and derailleur cables and casings; replace frayed cables before they cause trouble.

Parts Installation

Assembly of your frame should be straightforward; parts that do not fit easily should be checked for correct size and tolerance. If the components you have selected do not fit and you believe that frame is at fault, please call us.

CAUTION: Extralight and XLM framesets are built with lightweight seatstays that will not support a rear rack. Do not install a rack on these frames. Use of a rack on an Extralight or XLM will void your Merlin warranty.

Note that the seat cluster accepts a 27.2-mm seatpost. The post should slide smoothly in the frame when loose. If you plan to use a titanium seatpost or any titanium bolts, coat the parts liberally with anti-seize compound before installation to prevent galling.

To avoid damage to the aluminum rivnuts, do not overtighten the water bottle bolts. The rivnuts and bolts are longer than normal to hold a large water bottle over rough terrain.

Merlin frames are equipped with a 68-millimeter, English-threaded bottom bracket shell (1.37 x 24tpi). It is compatible with all standard and cartridge-style bottom brackets. Please consult your dealer to select the correct bottom bracket axle length for your chosen crankset.

Cosmetic Care and Maintenance

Titanium resists rust and corrosion, and requires little in the way of regular care. To keep your bike looking new, wash it with warm water and a mild, biodegradable soap solution, and rinse thoroughly. If you use a hose, do not squirt water directly at the headset or bottom bracket bearings, or the seat cluster. After rinsing, dry the frame with a soft towel.

Surface scratches can be removed with Type A (very fine) ScotchBrite, which is available in most hardware stores. Cut the ScotchBrite into a strip and polish the frame lightly with straight strokes perpendicular to the tube. To renew the frame's luster, apply a thin coat of household polish or wax with a soft towel.

Paint and Anodization

Unlike most metals, titanium does not require paint for protection. However, you may paint your frame with standard finishes; contact Tom Kellogg at Spectrum Cycles (610-398-1986) for pricing and details.

Note that we cannot be responsible for paint if your bike is returned to us for repair, nor does our standard repair schedule apply to painted frames. Although titanium can be anodized, we specifically do not recommend it for your frame, as the process can damage the surface layer of the metal and may cause crack propagation. Please note that anodization voids your Merlin warranty.

Frame Inspection and Repair

Make a habit of inspection your bicycle for signs of damage or stress. After a crash or other accident, check the frame for dents, bends, or cracks. If you believe that your frame is damaged, do not try to align, weld, or otherwise repair the frame yourself; doing so will void your warranty. Return it to your authorized Merlin dealer, who will determine the extent of the damage. If the frame requires service, your dealer will return the frame to Merlin.