Can this Merlin still conjour up some Magic?

[davidj]

Original advert as posted here on Retrobike:

Hi.

2003 Merlin Malt mountain bike in very good condition. Hope mini discs, shimano XT/LX groupset, Easton seat post, bars, stem, avid flakjacket sealed cables, etc.

Rear brake recently serviced and reconditioned by Hope and new pads fitted, but does lack a bit of bite - system may need bleeding.

Light bike. New flat pedals or shimano spd pedals available. Wireless computer. Currently has cross country type tyres on but Panaracer off road tyres also included. Shock pump included. Bike is located near Warrington.

Looking for around £175.

Thanks Richard

Having progressed from pre 98 to post 98 and more recently to current spec bikes and in the process reducing my stable to a 2018 Clockwork & Cube eBike I found myself wanting a Winter/pub bike that needed a little attention.

The Merlin cast it's first spell, its advert grabbed my attention even though it was the other side of the country.

A brief exchange of messages with the vendor and the Merlin cast it's second spell! Amazingly on Monday the 5th August we would both be on the same industrial estate in Manchester!

A price was agreed, the deal was done and the Merlin moved to Yorkshire.

To be continued....

 

[davidj]

Re:

I have restricted space to keep multiple bikes, restricted by my wife!

A few years ago I added a wall hanger in my bike shed for a third bike but dropped top tubes and big wheels has left it unused. The Merlin cast it's third spell, it sits above my existing bikes with ease.

 

[mdvineng]

A lot of bike for little money, my Malt1 was a good general xc/ pub bike and the frame now hangs from the shed beam.

 

[davidj]

Re:

I received the bike at the start of 4x12 hour night shifts and a commute of 2 hours each way - not much time to do anything with the bike. I did fit a new battery to the computer and with Google's help set it up.

I don't normally bother with a speedo, the one on my eBike shows half the actual speed - don't know what is going on there .

 

[davidj]

Re:

The first thing to deal with was the back brake. The vendor had warned me it lacked bite but had been overhauled by Hope in the not too distant past.

There is no obvious "pump up" at the lever, although it does creak when pulled hard. I degreased the rotor & flatter the pads with Emery cloth. I checked and cleaned the pistons and confirmed no leaks at the caliper.

After the above there is a slight improvement but it looks like the pads are contaminated.

I intended to change the fluid but the reservoir screws are a bit chewed up. I have ordered replacements and will bleed the brakes when they arrive.

 

[davidj]

Re:

A couple of quick jobs whilst I await brake parts. The bike came with some as new Wellgo pedals, but I had equally as new DMR V12 in my spares.

The bike is intended as a winter pub bike, so off with the Crud guard and on with some spare defender mudguards. The CRUD guard is free to anyone who is prepared to cover postage cost.

 

[davidj]

Re:

One of the reasons this bike caught my attention was due to me having sometime off work, weather allowing I have the opportunity to get this bike ready for Winter duties.

Today has been a "front end" service. Initially I was foiled by the Hope Head Doctor, the top cap screw was locked into the top part of the HHD preventing the head bearings being tensioned properly. It took longer than I would have liked but it is now all sorted with no damage.

Usually on second hand bikes a loose headset is used to disguise knackered bearings, especially the lower bearing.

Imagine my surprise to find the Ritchey headset & bearings were near enough perfect. A degrease and they are ready to go back into service.

 

[davidj]

Re:

When I collected the bike the vendor did confess to never servicing the Marzocchi Bomber Comp XC 03 forks. So whilst they were off to service the headset I took the opportunity to give them an oil change.

There was still some oil in them but only about a third of what should be in there. Luckily the stanchions and seals are in great shape. After a clean and degrease 140ml of 7.5wt oil went in the left leg & 135ml in the right. Re-inflated both legs to 2.2bar and reassembled the bike.

The forks are really plush now, I am so impressed with them. Always the same when you give an old set of forks some TLC, I highly recommend it.

 

[davidj]

Re:

Today had given me a couple of nice wins, while the front brake was off I planned on swapping pads front to back just to confirm the diagnosis of contaminated pads on the rear. The front pads are nearly done though, an order for new pads all round it is then!

I was able to confirm the vendors claim the rear caliper had been rebuilt. The front is still running metal pistons whereas the rear has been upgraded to phenolic ones.

Final task for today was to fit a saddle I am more comfortable with. My other two bikes have Brooks Cambiums fitted but they cost nearly as much as this bike so a Seta S1 will have to do.

The old saddle, which is undamaged and surprisingly comfortable is free to anyone who wants to pay the postage.

 

[pigman]

Re: Re:

I have restricted space to keep multiple bikes, restricted by my wife!

A few years ago I added a wall hanger in my bike shed for a third bike but dropped top tubes and big wheels has left it unused. The Merlin cast it's third spell, it sits above my existing bikes with ease.

you said it was a pub bike.
Love to see you hang it up in the constricted space after a lengthy visit to the pub.