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Merlin Newsboy cruiser bike delivering curvy titanium again after 24 years

2018 Merlin Newsboy titanium cruiser mountain bike reboot
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The Merlin Newsboy is back, two decades after its debut as a curvy cruiser-style ATB (yep, remember when they were called All Terrain Bikes?). It resurfaced in 2002 with a disc brake version that also got a suspension fork, but then the brand went through several acquisitions and sorta fell off the radar.

2018 Merlin Newsboy titanium cruiser mountain bike reboot

They never really stopped making bikes, though, and now the brand is showing off an extremely limited edition, fully modern reboot of the Newsboy. Using curved titanium tubes all over, the 29er-sized 2018 edition will run $5,000 for the frame. Why so much? They’re only making eight more of them, so nine total including this one.

2018 Merlin Newsboy titanium cruiser mountain bike reboot

2018 Merlin Newsboy titanium cruiser mountain bike reboot

Order it up and they’ll make it with custom sizing. Email them through their website for more details if you’re interested.

Merlin Bikes one-piece titanium handlebar and stem

They also had this sweet looking one-piece bar and stem combo, price TBD.

MerlinBikes.com

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Gillis
Gillis
5 years ago

A rear quick release hub? Is it 135mm also? I understand it’s supposed to be retro, but is it supposed to be THAT retro?

rgeniec
rgeniec
5 years ago

$5,000 for a QR rear end? I’m more interested in the gravel grinders in the background.

JBikes
JBikes
5 years ago
Reply to  rgeniec

There is nothing wrong with a qr on a rigid frame

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago
Reply to  JBikes

5 grand frame should have it though. Even if it’s just for the simplicity of being able to swap wheel sets around and the added benefit of consistent placement.

hllclmbr
hllclmbr
5 years ago
Reply to  rgeniec

It’s a custom bike. Want a thru-axle? I bet it can happen.

OriginalMV
OriginalMV
5 years ago

That they chose to use Paragon Machine Works seatstay bullets at the front of the bike without even attempting to round the point bothers me. Those bullets are an off-the-shelf item that sorta approximates the original item, but it really just drives home the fact that today’s Merlin is just a recreation of the original company, with little beyond the brand name and a superficial product resemblance from before the Saucony purchase. Also, those bullets are meant to have a dropout welded onto them. They’re bloody sharp for no reason otherwise.

Eric
Eric
5 years ago

Does this have any relation to the Merlin of old? It feels like one of those zombie brands resurrected, like Vitus.

JVG
JVG
5 years ago

Dean Bicycles now owns Merlin.

Craig
Craig
5 years ago

I’d like to think that now Dean own the brand that they will get Merlin back on track. I’ve love to see this iconic brand re-establish itself in the marketplace.

King County
King County
5 years ago

I always liked the Newsboys from afar, but if I was going to purchase something like this I would go with a Black Sheep Bicycle. BS can probably do any customer mods and be less money.

Johannes Schmidt
5 years ago

The frames will be built to each customer’s specs, so Merlin can build your frame with a thru axel… Super Boost anyone??

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