Please help me identify this frame

[robadobdob]

Hello chaps, I'm wondering if anyone can help identify this frame for me? It has a Merlin (UK) sticker on the down tube and a 'Ritchey Logic Nitanium Tubing' sticker on the seat tube so I sent these pictures to Merlin asking if the could identify and/or date it. They said it was not one of theirs and it could be a Specialized. I was perplexed.

Well it turns out I forgot to include the picture of the Merlin sticker in my original email so I then sent that and they came back and said ok yes it probably is one of ours! But nobody there has any idea what it is and they apparently don't keep records of serial numbers (!)

Anyway I stumbled across this thread on here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=216511

Unfortunately the pictures are no longer there but the serial number that guy had was S97085870 - mine is S97085810! The consensus on that thread was that OP had a Merlin TDB (Tange Double Butted) frame, but as the pictures aren't accessible it's hard to tell if I have the same or not.

Anyway the pictures are here so fill your boots and if you can help in any way, please do. Some details you can't get from the pictures: the head tube is 1 1/8" and the seat tube is 31.8mm. If you need anything else just ask.

 

[mattbrown]

Re:

Merlin did sell those types of frames bitd, and seeing no canti hanger that would make that frame 98/99 at the earliest. Did the bottom bracket come with the frame, as that could have a date stamp on it, which will help date the frame?

 

[fiendish feet]

Merlin decal same as the Malts
It is a tidy looking frame ,nice

 

[robadobdob]

Re:

Merlin did sell those types of frames bitd, and seeing no canti hanger that would make that frame 98/99 at the earliest. Did the bottom bracket come with the frame, as that could have a date stamp on it, which will help date the frame?

No I had the BB and headset installed last week. I just bought the bare frame as 'new old stock' - it has clearly never been built up.

Regarding the canti hanger, I see where you're coming from but on the other thread I linked it was suggested that the serial number beginning 9708 indicates August 1997, thoughts?

 

[jaypee]

Re:

Could be 97 with no canti hanger. V brakes came in earlier than that

 

[KermitGKona88]

Re:

Merlin the shop sold both their own and Rock Lobster for a while iirc

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=389977

 

[mk one]

Anyway I stumbled across this thread on here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=216511

Unfortunately the pictures are no longer there but the serial number that guy had was S97085870 - mine is S97085810! The consensus on that thread was that OP had a Merlin TDB (Tange Double Butted) frame, but as the pictures aren't accessible it's hard to tell if I have the same or not.

If you read the whole thread you will find plenty of details and pictures about these frames, and yes, yours is a Merlin uk own brand frame.

A nice enough frame and will build into a nice riding bike.

mark

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Not sure I understand the question.

Pictured is a Merlin (uk) frame with ritchey tubing.

They sold them so it probably is one. Don't need Sherlock level deduction skills for this mystery. It solves itself.

 

[robadobdob]

Re: Re:

Not sure I understand the question.

Pictured is a Merlin (uk) frame with ritchey tubing.

They sold them so it probably is one. Don't need Sherlock level deduction skills for this mystery. It solves itself.

Wow you lot are a friendly bunch aren't you? I was hoping that someone would be able to help me out with some information about when it was produced, what it's called, etc. Not just "durrrr it's a Merlin frame".

Wish I hadn't bothered. So sorry for wating your time.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

They sold frames simply badged Merlin, it won't have a 'name' as such. Only got name stickers when sold as full bikes.

Year is tricky, I'd guess around the 97/8 area.

You can put your toys back in the pram now