posted by JR on february 01, 1998 at 16:03:46:
in reply to: Hmmmmm...wondering about an Extra-Light....... posted by Don on january 31, 1998 at 02:03:37:
Don,
The best thing you can do is go for a extended
test ride. Here in the SF Bay area there are
a number of Merlin dealers that are pretty cool
about letting you take one out for a real ride...
not just a spin around the block. Find a dealer
like that in your area.
There are many good bikes in the price range, so
don't throw your money around without riding a
bunch of them. Do you have any friends with a
candidate bike to borrow for a ride?
Ok my biases...I rode the Merlin (XL, Road), a few
Litespeeds and the Serotta Ti. Also some high end
steel and Al bikes. My own style is to stand and
push hard up the hills, so I'm sensitive to too
much flex, but after that, I like a comfortable ride.
I'm 5-8, 160lb and I ride a 54 cm frame. I wanted comfort,
but I won't tolerate chain rub.
I found that the Serotta was the stiffest, followed
by the Merlin XL, and Litespeed Vortex. I bought the
XL because the Serotta was a little too harsh for my
liking. The Vortex was solid, but I thought the Merlin
finish work was much cleaner.
I'm still very happy with my choice. Good luck!