My Road Bike - 2003 Merlin Agilis

My road bicycle is a 2003 Merlin Agilis. I bought it from a bike store in Florida in 2005 for $1500 when we lived in Nebraska. My good friend Kyle convinced me that titanium was king and the lifetime frame warranty felt reassuring. This is my second road bike, and I sold my 2004 Bianchi Brava shortly after purchasing it.

Summer 2013

My Merlin is my only road bike and I use it for fitness, racing, recreation, and commuting. I haven't bike raced but I do duathlons (and eventually triathlons?) with aero bars. We have one car and I usually don't drive it so I ride my Merlin until it starts snowing. I rarely covet another bike, except for perhaps a triathlon/time trial bike. I've put roughly 21,000 miles on it and have swapped out a few parts in the past eight years.

Bike set up

• Frame Construction: TIG-welded
• Frame Tubing Material: 3Al/2.5V titanium
• Fork Brand & Model: Reynolds Ouzo Pro
• Component Group: Shimano Dura-Ace
• Brakeset: Shimano Dura-Ace Dual Pivot brakes, Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control levers
• Shift Levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control
• Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace SS
• Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 7950 Compact, 34/50 teeth*
• Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace PD-9000 SPD-SL*
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-7700, 109.5mm spindle, 68mm English width*
• Rear Cogs: 9-speed, 12 - 27 teeth*
• Chain: Shimano CN-7701, 1/2 x 3/32"*
• Seatpost: FSA FR-270*
• Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow*
• Handlebar: Easton EC90*
• Handlebar Stem: Vision Sizemore*
• Headset: Cane Creek IS-2 integrated
• Wheels: Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL*
• Tires: 700 x 23c Michelin Krylion Carbon*

(*upgraded/changed from original setup)

Keep the rubber side down!