Seeking Valuation

[UKBROOKLYN]

I have a Merlin Extralight 56cm TT C-C (1998 Cambridge MA)
Woundup fork.

Too big for me so finally got my new IF built and want to part this out.

I want to sell the frame and groupset either together or parted. It is Athena 11 with Chorus Levers.

I can measure up the frame and post all details in the Classifieds but wanted to get an idea on what I should be asking.

Heres a photo. (I have a set of decals just prefer it without.

http://76.163.13.22/bikes/MerlinXL.jpg

[beeatnik]

$1100

[Look585]

1" headtube? If so, that will work against you. 1" TI frames seem to go for shockingly little $$$. However, the Woundup is about the best 1" carbon fork around so its inclusion in the deal should mitigate some of the 1" headwind.

[45K10]

Looks good, and the Athena derailleurs coupled with the Chorus shifters is a great combo, but like mentioned previously the 1" fork hurts the value.

IMO, Good Paceline price for the bike (sans wheels) around $1100 to $1300

[UKBROOKLYN]

Are you saying 1100 for frame AND groupset ??

All pre 2000 Merlins have 1" head tubes. But Merlins are pretty special.

Anyone else have opinions..??

[DRZRM]

Depending on use, $500ish for the group (straight used Athena 11 groups have gone as low as $400 here, but the Chorus levers add value).

Frame, ask for $1,100, but you may have to go as low as $900 to move it. The markdown on used TI with a 1" head tube is brutal. I thought about selling my 1997 Legend Ti with Record 10, but it just didn't seem worth it (similar prices).

Nice bike by the way, keep it as a rain bike...though I see the new one it TI too.

[jds108]

F/F/Hs $1k if you're lucky in my opinion.

Is that custom? Merlins didn't normally have a head tube extension, but I would have preferred it like that myself.

[beeatnik]

Are you saying 1100 for frame AND groupset ??

All pre 2000 Merlins have 1" head tubes. But Merlins are pretty special.

Anyone else have opinions..??

Ya, that's probably the equilibrium price. Size and condition will expedite a sale but that alone won't shift the current "premium" used bike market and buyer attitudes. Tough to sell nice frames these days. And it doesn't help that you could get an Athena group for near $500 a few months ago. The chorus shifters are a nice add on but they won't grab a premium. Saw a set on ebay go for $125. If you're looking to get close to $2000, you should part out and time the market. Merlin nostalgia seemed to have peaked about 3 years ago but these things are cyclical...

[UKBROOKLYN]

I was thinking of asking 1400 Frame set and group OBO.. split shipping..

[DRZRM]

I was thinking of asking 1400 Frame set and group OBO.. split shipping..

That sounds like a good starting point to me.

[AngryScientist]

the market is fat with used, very good frames right now. Merlins are very nice, but in reality, a close to 20 year old frame just doesnt command the value that we might think. i'd say about 11-1200 complete is about right.

[R3awak3n]

I think $1400 with group is pretty fair but to sell faster probably close to $1200. Solid group and the wound up fork always goes for nice money.

Its a really nice looking frame and the groupset goes perfect with it.

[UKBROOKLYN]

I will measure it up and post it in the classifieds and on my local CL and Cycle Club sites and see what happens.. If I take a lower offer at least the volume from her indoors will go down a bit. I would rather someone was riding it than I be getting nagged about too many bikes..

[xjahx]

Merlin has a few followers, but you will find that the name does not pull the weight like it did in the 90s. Moots is still the leader in the off the shelf Ti race, but even so, a 1" Ti Vamoots in 56c will only go for about $1k frame and fork.

How quickly do you want to sell it? I think $1100-1250 complete will get a sale within a few weeks.

[Aaron O]

Like others have said, they go for a surprisingly small amount, especially with the cartridge BB. To me, they're great bikes to buy for value. On eBay, I think yours sells around 1200-1400 complete.

I know that 1 inch headtubes are viewed like dinosaurs now, but I doubt I could tell 1 inch from 1 1/4 riding them. The only difference would be the bulbous aesthetic.

[fogrider]

Like others have said, they go for a surprisingly small amount, especially with the cartridge BB. To me, they're great bikes to buy for value. On eBay, I think yours sells around 1200-1400 complete.
.

I'm pretty sure by the time the extralight came out they did away with the cartridge BB, which explains the recent athena crank. I agree that there really is very little difference with headset performance for road bikes.

[Ralph]

I think it's as nice as new bikes. And you can't really get anything for it. So keep it and ride it.

Nothing wrong with 1" fork bikes. You can be as fast on that bike as anything new you can buy.

EDIT: Just saw you said it's too big. Nice bike though.

[texbike]

I'm guessing $700-$750 for the frame and fork.

However, I'm unsure of the value of the other components.

At least the frame has the threaded BB shell. Good luck with the sale!

Texbike

[tedski]

I picked up my Merlin Ti frame set (non-extralight version) with the original LOOK carbon 1" fork last fall for about $500. Given yours have a thread BB shell and a Wounded Up fork, I think $700-800 for the frame set would be fair and get you a sale in a few weeks.

[Aaron O]

I'm pretty sure by the time the extralight came out they did away with the cartridge BB, which explains the recent athena crank. I agree that there really is very little difference with headset performance for road bikes.

I'm sorry...I didn't mean to imply it had the cartridge bb...it wouldn't by that time. I just was commenting that those with it are often worth less.

I'm glad others didn't value my Merlin...it left it for me, and I LOVE that bike :hello:

I'm sure Moots are great bikes, and the workmanship is exceptional, but I'm not really convinced I'd like one any better than my Merlin.

[christian]

$450 group
$750 ffhs