In a bizarre twist of business, the two leading titanium frame companies are now owned by the same business.

Reported on the Bike-EU site, company QR Merlin Acquisition LLC an entity controlled by JHK Investments LLC, of which Mark Lynskey, founder of Litespeed is president, has acquired the Merlin and Quintana Roo cycling brands from sports shoe brand Saucony Inc. JHK, which already has controlling interest in Litespeed Titanium, is expanding its presence in the high end of the cycling business, according to a press release.

"Merlin has long been a premier designer and manufacturer of high-end titanium road and mountain bikes with a great tradition and following," said Mark Lynskey, new president of the acquired companies. "It is our intention to build upon Merlin's commitment to innovation and design and to keep it as an independent premier brand."

How strange that the founders of titanium frames should be owned by one of their rivals. First-to-market doesn't always guarantee success.