subject: re: Does it really matter?!

comments:
: After reading the X vs. Merlin battles, I'd like to make a few comments. : I have 2 merlins, a mt. bike and a new XL road that I just got and is not built : up completely. The Merlin Mt. is neat, but not everything. : Yes, it is unbelieveably light. : Yes, it is indestructible (the manager at the bike store I used to work for : and who now sells Merlins, said someone brought one in with a toasted wheel, : smashed fork, and sheared off stem. Frame miked out fine) : You can't argue with a lifetime warranty. : It is a little more compliant that most mt. bikes I've ridden. : Is the ride much different than most decent mountain bikes? : I can't really tell too much difference. Wheels and drivetrain and weight issues : seem to make more of an impression. Fit seems to matter more than anything. : I bought a used 1985 Trek 2000 with complete DuraAce when I started out riding. : It was a 58.5? and I now ride a 55cm. : It wasn't until a long while later that I realized that much poorer bikes with lesser : stats but better fit actually felt better than my bike. : : Now I might change my mind once I get the road bike finished. However, for : mt. bikes, it seems that frame material and quality aren't that related to how : the bike rides. On road bikes, I've always noticed tires and wheels as : much as the frame. : Tell the truth. If you added 3 lbs of weight to your superlight merlin : mountain, could you really tell the difference blindfolded? : : Now for all the people asking whether they should get the Merlin or : Litespeed, or _____: the merlin and litespeed are both well worth the money. : For many years, Shimano was turning out cheaper stuff than Campy that : technologically equivalent or better. I would compare Litespeed to DuraAce : and Merlin to Campy. You're paying the extra for Old World craftsmanship, : an incredible attention to detail, and beauty. I've always thought that the : merlins looked slightly better than the litespeeds. Even the catalog that Merlin : distributed for years was undoubtedly one of the best factory brochures I've ever : seen. Does it really matter as far as bicycling goes? Probably not. : : I probably ought to hop off my soapbox and see if I can get leg transplant. : allan