1990 Merlin Titanium

[Ryry_1985]

I thought I’d start a thread with a sneak peek of the start of my new bike, a 1990 Merlin Titanium, serial number: 1519

This bike popped up on our local marketplace recently and I was lucky enough to have snagged the frame, headset, and booster after a change of hands a week after it sold. Initially, the poor marketplace photos only showed an early Merlin with a noodle and a rear U-Brake, which was totally intriguing. Upon arriving in the hands of another local vintage MTB enthusiast, a Kona chain stay protector and a Brodie U-Brake booster (and it being from Vancouver) pointed to it being a 1990 Merlin Titanium sold by Kona’s parent company, TBG.

 

[mk one]

I used to ride my friends Merlin, still the best Ti frame i have ridden. Would like to try an older version like yours with the straight stays one day.

Look forward to seeing more pictures

 

[Ryry_1985]

I used to ride my friends Merlin, still the best Ti frame i have ridden. Would like to try an older version like yours with the straight stays one day.

Look forward to seeing more pictures

This is my first ti bike - I’m very excited for the maiden voyage. I think a friend mentioned the curved stay versions were a superior ride but seeing as I’ll not have that experience, l’ll be none the wiser

Daytime photos will show if I’ve done anything silly while working in the dark on my balcony…

 

[pw_pw_la]

Oh, following along with interest as someone who just scored a very similar beast...

 

[Ryry_1985]

Oh, following along with interest as someone who just scored a very similar beast...

Hey Phil, I think I knew of yours but can’t seem to find the thread/post - sounds exciting and I’d love to see it!

 

[pw_pw_la]

No thread yet mate...

Gonna be a very slow burner, but I'm sure I'll get one up eventually.

 

[Ryry_1985]

Weekend update:

I didn’t get as far as I’d hoped. Embarrassingly, I spend the better part of Friday evening in the ER due to a broken-drill-bit-meets-thumb incident. The ever dreaded m-732 shifter with damaged threads in the binding plate, coupled with a rounded out M6 screw caused some pain and the inability to work on the bike for some days to come. I’ll spare those photos but will share what progress I did make before the accident.

I worked on parts of the cockpit and drivetrain. It’s coming along nicely and I think it’ll ride to my liking. I know that reproduction tires aren’t for everyone but as this will be ridden often, I’m happy to have some reliable rubber. I suppose that if I come across a supple vintage set that suits the build, I’d pop those on but happy with the wheelset as it stands.

I’ve since removed the stubborn fastener and also found a less faded set of brake levers, so I guess tinkering in that department will come next and moving towards finishing up once I’m finished resting.

 

[Antstark]

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1990-kona-titanium-finished-page-13.280832/
Some inspiration

 

[Ryry_1985]

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1990-kona-titanium-finished-page-13.280832/
Some inspiration

Thank you, it’s always nice to scroll through this one again. Adrian certainly nailed that one… Utterly incredible.

The Track Two would be a tough (and costly) find, I’m afraid…

 

[Prodigal Son]

It looks ace! Superbly well balanced from fork choice to stem, bars, bar ends and seat post. Well done.