Hand-built Vintage Swallow Merlin Mountain Bike 1987 eBay

[narcotitlan]

Here's one i prepared earlier.....
View attachment 1014521Bloody gorgeous!

 

[winjohn]

High heels?

 

[winjohn]

If I hadn't just bought my Orbit Ecstasy then the Swallow would be a definite consideration...although come to think of it, a Swallow after the Ecstasy might be quite pleasant...

 

[kingoffootball]

I can't believe nobody bought that last night! You will be kicking yourself when its gone.

Ive thought about it, but tbh, i have one im now quite attached to (its one of only 3 bikes we have now kept) and im struggling a bit with riding this style of bike in general now.

To give you a size idea, mine above is the same size frame within a few mm from my conversion with the seller last year and mines set up for me at 6'4".

As you can see loads of scope, especially is you want it as an all road tourer and your a good bit shorter, rather than a racing mtb.

It would be great to see it go to a good retrobike home....as frankly the price is getting cheap enough for others to start considering selling it for bits....which would be sad if it got split up.

Urgh, this made me have another look.

It's certainly tempting, but I like the original seatpost and stem which I would need to replace.

 

[Rod_Saetan]

Like most of us retro nuts, it’s been on my watch list for a while, lovely bike. The midway standover height is 80cm btw, 54cm top tube c-c (I asked), just slightly in the uncomfortable zone for me sadly… so I’m out.

Good info, I’m delighted to announce I am out.

 

[93hero]

I’m in Cheltenham so it would be an easy sale but at 5’8” I’m a bit sceptical of the sizing and my bikes have to be riders.

Still think there is a bit more to be done with the price as well (the fact it hasn’t sold bears this out). The echo chamber is strong but I think somewhere around £300 is its price.

Seller needs to stop being lazy and list the full spec. It deserves period correct components and knowing what needs to be replaced will help the purchasing decision.

 

[Markybeau]

There aren't going to be too many opportunities for a bike like this, especially at that price. (Un)Fortunately I'm only 5'4, so I'm immediately out, otherwise I would have snapped it up.

 

[27motorhead]

Good info, I’m delighted to announce I am out.

I'm trying to convince myself it will fit, but also not fit, as the last thing I need is another project! I think at 5' 7" it might be a push, but no idea on their sizing and all my bikes are in storage and not easily accessible to sense check fit vs. them even if I did have full details.

Still think there is a bit more to be done with the price as well (the fact it hasn’t sold bears this out). The echo chamber is strong but I think somewhere around £300 is its price.

We all know the market it dead and this at it's current price is still a great buy. It's not in amazing condition, but needs a proper clean up. £300 would be an absolute steal. I'm sure he'd take £350.

It deserves period correct components and knowing what needs to be replaced will help the purchasing decision.

I'm sure seller would help. Listing isn't the best, but most buyers looking at this have some idea. I think @Tootyred had a conversation with the seller last time it was listed as I know I offered to help organise collection as I'm base inbetween West Wales & Cheltenham.

 

[narcotitlan]

so, who got it?

 

[27motorhead]

so, who got it?

Not me! Actually asked for some dimensions and was going to check to see if it could fit. No need to do that and saves me getting into big trouble too… assume someone on here got very twitchy!