Merlin Metalworks
Merlin Metalworks is an American bicycle manufacturer specializing in the manufacture of bicycles made of titanium . It was founded in 1986 by Gwyn Jones , Gary Helfrich and Mike Augspurger in Cambridge, MA .
history
In 1986, Merlin manufactured the first mountain bike frame for Joe Murray , the then US mountain bike champion. In 1987 Merlin started working with Tom Kellogg and introduced the 3 / 2.5 titanium road bike. In 1991 Merlin introduced the S-bend seat and chain stays in the mountain bike line. This design became one of the most copied rear designs. In 1992 Greg Lemond bought Merlin frames for his "Z" team and rode them in the Tour de France, among others .
In 1995, Merlin driver Rob Kish won the Race Across America for the third time. In 1997 Rob Vandermark, driving force at Merlin and designer of the mountain bike line, left the company and founded Seven Cycles .
In 2000 Merlin was bought by the investor JHK. On March 16, 2011, the owner announced to ABG ( American Bicycle Group ) that the Merlin Metalworks brand was sold to Competitive Cyclist from Arkansas .
Frame construction
Depending on the model, Merlin processes single or multiple internally butted, seamlessly drawn tubes made of a titanium alloy . The titanium content is 94.5%, with the addition of 3% aluminum and 2.5% vanadium a high-strength alloy is created. The rear dropouts are made of a 6-4 titanium alloy with 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium. This alloy is extremely hard, which reduces the formation of notches in the stressed areas. Due to the high affinity of titanium for the atmospheric gases oxygen and nitrogen as well as hydrogen , argon is used as a shielding gas during welding .
Models
Before being taken over by ABG (AmericanBicycleGroup) in 2002, Merlin built the following models:
- Merlin Mountain - Mountain bike built from 1986
- Merlin Aerial - triathlon bike with 26 inch geometry (in cooperation with Quintana Roo)
- Merlin Road - road bike
- Merlin Elevator - Small series of 150 pieces with raised chain stays 1991–1992
- Merlin Elevator Suspension - Softtail with raised chain stays 1993
- Merlin Newsboy - Small series of cruisers with bent tubes 1995
- Merlin XLM - Lighter mountain bike with double butted tubes
- Merlin Extralight - Lighter road bike with double butted tubes
- Merlin RSR - racing bike with monostay rear triangle
- Merlin Taiga - mountain bike with Monostay rear end 1996–1997
- Merlin Fat Ti Hardtail with Headshok Fatty Ultra as frame kit 1999–2002
- Merlin Fat Beat (with MootsYBB Softail rear triangle) and Cannondale Headshok Fatty Ultra as frame kit 1999–2002
- Merlin Echo (with Moots YBB Softtail rear triangle) for normal 1 1/8 "forks 1999–2002
- Merlin Iliad classic hardtail frame 2000–2001
- Merlin Newsboy Limited Edition as a complete bike with 2 wheelsets, disc-only, Manitou Skareb and Newsboy-Cap 2002
- Merlin Roots Limited Cruiser complete bike with Rohloff Speedhub, Vicious steel fork, Avid Juicy brakes 2004
In addition to these models, Merlin has built various prototypes and frames or parts for other manufacturers such as Marin (Team Titanium) or Specialized.