Merlin (bicycles)

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Merlin-Titanrahmen

Merlin Metalworks Inc.^[1] is a manufacturer of bicycles, specializing in custom titanium hand built models.

1 History
2 Auqusition
3 References
4 Official Site

[edit] History

The company was founded by Gwyn Jones, Gary Helfrich, and Mike Augspurger in Cambridge, Massachussetts in 1986^[2] to manufacture bicycle frames and racing wheelchairs constructed from titanium, being the first to do so.^[3]

The company's other unique characteristics was welding the bike using puddle bead surface welds, welded by the best TIG welders they could get hold of. As a result of the weld, they offered more aesthetic value to the frames than structural benefit and became regarded as the Lamborghini of bicycle frames.^[4]

The first bike Merlin built was a mountain bike frame for the the defending National Mountain Bike Champion, Joe Murray.^[2] For the following year, the company began its strong relationship with Tom Kellogg who helped them design their first 3/2.5 titanium road bicycle frame^[2].

As the company ecquainted with Bob Hall, who became the first person to enter the Boston Marathon in a wheelchair, they began making titanium-racing chairs for him.^[3]

A year later after the company was founded, Augspurger left Merlin to found One-Off Titanium in Florence, Massachussetts, a company specializing in experimental and custom-designed products for bicycles.^[3]

In 1990, the Subaru-Montgomery team, consisting of Lance Armstrong, Steve Hegg, and Ken Carpenter, began its sucessful three year relationships with Merlin^[2]. Greg LeMond also used its frame for his Z cycling team in 1992. ^[2].

In 1994, Merlin introduced the first titanium cruiser called the Newsboy, which received positive reviews. The bike was re-introduced in 2002 with front-suspension and disc-brakes.^[2]

In 1995, Rob Kish wins his third Race Across America using their Extralight frame.^[2]

[edit] Auqusition

Saucony, led by Hyde Athletic Industries, acquired Merlin in 1998.^[5] Many employees, led by one of its original founders, Rob Vandermark, left Merlin to form Seven Cycles. Gwyn Jones was the only original founding member that remained with the company. As a result of Saucony's ownership, sales of Merlin frame declined, as stocks were left piling high.^[4]

Merlin Bicycles was sold off to the American Bicycle Group in 2000 who relocated the company to Chattanooga, TN^[2]. The American Bicycle Group owns three bicycle manufacturers: Merlin, Litespeed, Quintana Roo and the bicycle component maker Real Designs.