Help identifying retro bike

[Leew2011]

Hi All!

I'm hoping to get some help in identifying a bike frame I've owned for many years. Unfortuantely no real story around it, other than my grandad gave it to me about 15 years ago (sinced passed, so I can't ask him).

I've found out as much as I can with little knowledge so far but i'm at a bit of a dead end so any help would be appreciated. I've added some photos too.

Frame:
- Stickers/Decals: "Merlin" on the downtube, "Syncros", "FSA", "Hope technologies" and "TNT Performance Industries". **I suspect the Merlin sticker has been added and is not acutally a Merlin frame - Most Merlins I beleive were titanium, however the frame is magnetic. Unless Merlin sold steel frames too...i'm unsure
- Tubing: There is a "CR-MO Butted tubing MTB" sticker. The frame is magnetic, not titanium. What i found interesting is that the unpainted frame has a spiral pattern running along the length of the tubing. I've looked this up online and using AI, which suggested it was often a hallmark of "Tange Prestige"?
- Serial: 44631877 Located on the frame, under the crank.
- Brake mounts: Rear V-Brakes ,ounted to what appears to be the original factory mounts.
- Cable routing: Cables are ran along the top of the top tube.
- Dropout: Standard horizontal dropouts.
- Forks: Marzocchi DH3
- Other components: FSA Conix headset, Gipiemme Plus mod F50' titanium rail saddle. Acor Stem.Tranz X handle bar ends. Sachs Power Grip Wavey.

Heres a few photos. I'd really appreciate any help on this.

Thanks

Lee

 

[legrandefromage]

It's a merlin!

Merlin cycles. Own rebrand of far East frames, usually very good quality

 

[markoc]

Thread 'Wanted - Merlin Cycles adverts late 90s'

Feb 12, 2021

Hey folks,

I'm looking for scans of Merlin Cycles adverts from the 90s-early 2000s.
They used to have an advert in MBUK or MBR every month, I recall, so there should be plenty around.

I think there might be two Merlins? One from the USA (Merlin Metalworks) and one from the UK (Merlin Cycles)? The latter were related to the Rock Lobster brand, and I think some adverts showed both Merlin and Rock Lobster bikes.
If anyone could shed light on that distinction, it'd be useful (was there ever animosity between the two?). I'm after adverts relating to the UK one.

Thank you...

• corpuschain
• 1997 adverts issue 1 merlin mountain bike world spring
• Replies: 12
• Forum: MTB Magazine & Catalogue Scans

Advert scans in this thread - some frames were made by Kinesis.

That rifled top tube looks cool

 

[Gtpulse]

Nice. Interesting solution to the seatpost clamp. Maybe being steel it’s something that can be fixed.

 

[Leew2011]

@legrandefromage @markoc thanks for your replies, thats really helpful!

I checked the advert scans and spotted "Lifetime warranty".....I wonder if they can repair my seat post

@Gtpulse your message appeared just as I was clicking "post reply" - I briefly remember some numpty drilling the frame because, i quote, "can't weld it, its titanium"

I'm new to bike building although im more than competent. I do wonder how much would be involved in getting it ridable again.

 

[markoc]

Shouldn't take much, though the forks could be toast. Strip, inspect, regrease and reassemble - replacing consumables.

Didn't see that seatpost arrangement first time around (!) - wouldn't have been how I did it.

 

[Leew2011]

Thanks a lot. How would you go about the seat post repair? Would you look at getting it welded properly?

 

[Splatter Paint]

I’m not sure it would be cost effective to repair, but I’m sure a frame builder could weld on the snapped off lug and fill the hole in.

Or….. just maybe, possibly, thinking out loud here….. could the remaining lug be removed and use a seat collar?

 

[bikeworkshop]

Or….. just maybe, possibly, thinking out loud here….. could the remaining lug be removed and use a seat collar?

That's probably a better idea - it's a plated finish under the lacquer, so brazing heat is going to make a right old mess.

The seatbolt brazeons could be fully cut off and filed back - the damaged area will be hidden under the new seat collar.

The holes could be filled with similar coloured epoxy.

A braze repair would leave scorch marks and damaged plating
(we'd probably charge £95)
and getting a good finish would necessitate the plating being removed - cheaper to buy a better condition frame

 

[Leew2011]

Thanks for all the replies, it's really helpful.

@Splatter Paint @bikeworkshop sounds like the easiest approach, thanks for the suggestions. Honestly, the pictures make that bodge job look like a work of art. I want to avoid making any irreversible chances as much as possible but if I can't make it functional with a good quality collar, I might have to cut directly under the existing seat bolt wholes and go from there.