subject: re: re: Technological Mountain Bikes?

comments:
: : I have recently recieved a catalog from Merlin Metalworks : : and I am really impressed. I have grown quite fond of : : road bikes, but since many companies are stretching : : their talents towards mountain bikes, I would like to : : some question about what Merlin has in store for its : : competetion. I've dabbed a little in the moutain bike : : arena and I can't complain. What confuses me the most : : is how mountain bikes have advanced over road bikes. : : Has anyone taken a look at the Litespeed Machete? The : : darn thing looks like the Blade only with suspension : : parts on it. How about the Iron Horse Down-hill bike? : : If I didnt know any better, the bike would look like : : it was ready for a moto-cross race (anyone ready to : : go up against Jeff Emig or Jeremy McGrath)? : : Wow, how about the new Cannondale Raven? Oooo... Ah.... : : It looks pretty awesome, incorporating an aluminum : : spine within the carbon fiber bike frame. What will : : companies think of next? What exactly has Merlin : : in store for these companies? {I know it may be bad : : P.R., but I wanted to find out what was cooking in : : the Merlin workshop?} Does Merlin have anything remotely : : like what the other bike companies have? : : If anyone has any opinions they would like to share, : : I would like to find out as much as I can about : : other people's inputs. I have gotten so confused : : about all these bikes, I don't know which one to : : go out and buy. : : P.S. If it is possible, I would also like some input from : : anyone working at Merlin. Thanks.. : bikes without soul rely on high tech gizmos