The Merlin
09-05-07, 07:59 PM
#51
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I wish I had your problems!
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2005 Giant OCR Composite3
2005 Trek 3700
2006 Flyte SRS-3 FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2008 Gary Fisher X-Caliber 29er
.........that's how I Roll.
2005 Giant OCR Composite3
2005 Trek 3700
2006 Flyte SRS-3 FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2008 Gary Fisher X-Caliber 29er
.........that's how I Roll.
09-05-07, 08:10 PM
#52
Senior Member
ew. No fsa cranks. Dura ace is the best road crank on the market right now. Its stiff, fairly light, durable, and the rings shift better than anything else out there.
09-05-07, 09:28 PM
#53
another cat...FAB!
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Ultegra's outta stock at that unbelievable sale price
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09-06-07, 01:57 AM
#54
or tarckeemoon, depending
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Ok. I'll bite. My goal would be a fairly bombproof build with hand built wheels and a few nice American-made bits hanging on it. Oh, and nothing too blingy that's going to look dated in a few years.
(after doing away with the frame decals)
Thomson post and stem
some spacers
King headset
Wound Up fork
White Industries hubs - 32h front 36h rear 3x front and back to silver Aeroheads
Nitto 177 bars with Deda synthetic tape
a Flite (the normal plain black kind)
Plain ol' Ultegra with a non-compact crank (haven't tried the Sram stuff yet though)
Kool Stop dual compound pads
some pedals of some kind. Look Keos look nice.
some tires. Conti Gatorskin 700x23 maybe?
(after doing away with the frame decals)
Thomson post and stem
some spacers
King headset
Wound Up fork
White Industries hubs - 32h front 36h rear 3x front and back to silver Aeroheads
Nitto 177 bars with Deda synthetic tape
a Flite (the normal plain black kind)
Plain ol' Ultegra with a non-compact crank (haven't tried the Sram stuff yet though)
Kool Stop dual compound pads
some pedals of some kind. Look Keos look nice.
some tires. Conti Gatorskin 700x23 maybe?
09-06-07, 04:59 AM
#55
another cat...FAB!
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Ok. I'll bite. My goal would be a fairly bombproof build with hand built wheels and a few nice American-made bits hanging on it. Oh, and nothing too blingy that's going to look dated in a few years.
(after doing away with the frame decals)
Thomson post and stem
some spacers
King headset
Wound Up fork
White Industries hubs - 32h front 36h rear 3x front and back to silver Aeroheads
Nitto 177 bars with Deda synthetic tape
a Flite (the normal plain black kind)
Plain ol' Ultegra with a non-compact crank (haven't tried the Sram stuff yet though)
Kool Stop dual compound pads
some pedals of some kind. Look Keos look nice.
some tires. Conti Gatorskin 700x23 maybe?
(after doing away with the frame decals)
Thomson post and stem
some spacers
King headset
Wound Up fork
White Industries hubs - 32h front 36h rear 3x front and back to silver Aeroheads
Nitto 177 bars with Deda synthetic tape
a Flite (the normal plain black kind)
Plain ol' Ultegra with a non-compact crank (haven't tried the Sram stuff yet though)
Kool Stop dual compound pads
some pedals of some kind. Look Keos look nice.
some tires. Conti Gatorskin 700x23 maybe?
Chris King
Plain Ol' Ultegra (if I get the price from ProBikeKit)
Wheels I ordered already - Ksyrium SL
Tires - I like that idea of the Vred's 145 psi, even though I'm currently satisfied w/ the Conti Gatorskins
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09-06-07, 09:48 AM
#56
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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It's a bare metal frame, right? Take the residue off with acetone. How are you lifting the decals? Hairdryer?
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
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09-06-07, 06:16 PM
#57
Overacting because I can
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btw - Merlin has a few old school decals on hand. I wanted to buy a spare set for my 2005 Agilis, but all they had was 2004 (different lettering). They sent me the decals for free.
Or you could ask for decals just for the downtube from the Classic collection.
Or you could ask for decals just for the downtube from the Classic collection.
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“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." (Churchill)
"I am a courageous cyclist." (SpongeDad)
“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." (Churchill)
"I am a courageous cyclist." (SpongeDad)
09-07-07, 12:09 PM
#58
another cat...FAB!
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12/25
172.5 cranks
Compact Rear Cage
Double Cranks
How long do they take for shipment?
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09-07-07, 02:06 PM
#59
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Ok. I'll bite. My goal would be a fairly bombproof build with hand built wheels and a few nice American-made bits hanging on it. Oh, and nothing too blingy that's going to look dated in a few years.
(after doing away with the frame decals)
Thomson post and stem
some spacers
King headset
Wound Up fork
White Industries hubs - 32h front 36h rear 3x front and back to silver Aeroheads
Nitto 177 bars with Deda synthetic tape
a Flite (the normal plain black kind)
Plain ol' Ultegra with a non-compact crank (haven't tried the Sram stuff yet though)
Kool Stop dual compound pads
some pedals of some kind. Look Keos look nice.
some tires. Conti Gatorskin 700x23 maybe?
(after doing away with the frame decals)
Thomson post and stem
some spacers
King headset
Wound Up fork
White Industries hubs - 32h front 36h rear 3x front and back to silver Aeroheads
Nitto 177 bars with Deda synthetic tape
a Flite (the normal plain black kind)
Plain ol' Ultegra with a non-compact crank (haven't tried the Sram stuff yet though)
Kool Stop dual compound pads
some pedals of some kind. Look Keos look nice.
some tires. Conti Gatorskin 700x23 maybe?
09-07-07, 06:25 PM
#60
another cat...FAB!
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I will definitely do this on the upgrade.
Update:
Tires: Vredestein Fortezza SE Road Tires (Performance $22)
Headset: Chris King Ti (match for the polished Merlin)
Update:
Tires: Vredestein Fortezza SE Road Tires (Performance $22)
Headset: Chris King Ti (match for the polished Merlin)
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09-13-07, 04:16 PM
#61
another cat...FAB!
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Here's what PBK charged me for the Ultegra Group, and I'm told that there's an international package in the office waiting for me:
9/7/2007 WWW.PROBIKEKIT.COM , KENDAL , 1 $512.00
Amazing price; many thanks for the tip on this, folks.
Next stop, the LBS to pick up my Fork and wheels...
9/7/2007 WWW.PROBIKEKIT.COM , KENDAL , 1 $512.00
Amazing price; many thanks for the tip on this, folks.
Next stop, the LBS to pick up my Fork and wheels...
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Change the course of the Epidemic | The Merlin | Merlin XLM | Bianchi Ti | CyclePeople
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9
Last edited by stevesurf; 09-13-07 at 04:35 PM.
09-13-07, 06:33 PM
#62
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Welcome to Club Merlin.
Pose her, I mean ride her proudly and in full OCP splendor.
I would've gone DA myself . . . . but that's just me.
Pose her, I mean ride her proudly and in full OCP splendor.
I would've gone DA myself . . . . but that's just me.
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Last edited by BillyD; 09-14-07 at 06:37 PM.
09-13-07, 06:53 PM
#63
Conquer Cancer rider
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I am wrestling with this decision myself, having acquired a Merlin a month ago. Sex is as yet undetermined.
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Zero gallons to the mile
Zero gallons to the mile
09-13-07, 07:20 PM
#64
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How can a male throw his legs over a male bike? 
Disgusting! . . . but that's just me.
Disgusting! . . . but that's just me.
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See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
09-13-07, 07:49 PM
#65
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All depends on the bike. I never thought I would ever own a female bike, being female myself and all that. But then I got my first road bike and she was so smooth and gentle that she had to be female. Just not sure about the Merlin. Smoother definitely, but with a brand name like that?
But I digress. Apologies.
But I digress. Apologies.
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Zero gallons to the mile
Zero gallons to the mile
09-13-07, 07:58 PM
#66
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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All depends on the bike. I never thought I would ever own a female bike, being female myself and all that. But then I got my first road bike and she was so smooth and gentle that she had to be female. Just not sure about the Merlin. Smoother definitely, but with a brand name like that?
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
09-14-07, 01:17 PM
#67
another cat...FAB!
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Perfect, will re-decal as Merlyn. Brilliant! Brilliant!
The PBK Ultegra Group was just as advertised...I did want an 11-25 originally though, but they had only 12-25 and 39/53. It'll be good - I'll just change the cog later. I know everyone wanted me to go DA, but just couldn't afford it...happy I'll have some interchangeable parts with the Bianchi Ti
The PBK Ultegra Group was just as advertised...I did want an 11-25 originally though, but they had only 12-25 and 39/53. It'll be good - I'll just change the cog later. I know everyone wanted me to go DA, but just couldn't afford it...happy I'll have some interchangeable parts with the Bianchi Ti
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09-14-07, 03:23 PM
#68
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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You're not trying to convince us you can spin 53 x 11, I hope.
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
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09-14-07, 11:02 PM
#69
another cat...FAB!
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LOL no spinning here...just a lotta mashing and groaning
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11-01-07, 08:41 AM
#70
another cat...FAB!
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I got a box last night...
wait...there was something else clanging around in the bottom o' the box
...now I wait for wheels, seat and pedals...
wait...there was something else clanging around in the bottom o' the box
...now I wait for wheels, seat and pedals...
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Change the course of the Epidemic | The Merlin | Merlin XLM | Bianchi Ti | CyclePeople
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Last edited by stevesurf; 12-02-07 at 10:29 AM.
11-01-07, 10:40 AM
#71
Boosted Mr2
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NICE...
makes me wanna go out an start shopping... but im getting a house to house all my toys an bikes...
henri
makes me wanna go out an start shopping... but im getting a house to house all my toys an bikes...
henri
11-16-07, 08:24 AM
#72
another cat...FAB!
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It's finally done!!!
CREDITS
Bay Ridge Bicycles / Anthony for getting this whole bunch of parts together, including getting a set of Time RXS Carbon Ti's in a half a day! These guys are now my LBS, no matter where I wind up...
The Racer Gent at Bay Ridge Bicycles for fitting me after hours when everyone wanted to go home
Henria86 for hooking me up...I would not have been able to pull this off without him and his advice
The Guy in the Blazer for not running me over on my first ride down 89th Street, though I did pull away quick enough
Crazy Blazer in Battery Tunnel for not ramming my car 'cause I was going so slow 'cause I was afraid the Trico Case would fly off my trunk lid
Tom Kellogg for feeding my addiction
My Brother-in-law Leigh for making endless trips to random bike shops all over Tucson to pick my parts up
Mr. Shah at Panasonic for letting me shuffle bike parts in and out of Panasonic without a package pass, and for his advice on dating
Everyone in this thread for taking the time to give me advice...Bike Forums really helped
and finally...
Josh from Excel Sports for taking the time to make sure this frame was the right size, about six months ago, even though I was so scared they were going to sell the last one...
Pix...
(sorry for the poor quality - it's a camera phone)
Again, many thanks to Bay Ridge Bicycles for doing this in less than a day, when everyone else quoted me one week...
Bay Ridge Bicycles / Anthony for getting this whole bunch of parts together, including getting a set of Time RXS Carbon Ti's in a half a day! These guys are now my LBS, no matter where I wind up...
The Racer Gent at Bay Ridge Bicycles for fitting me after hours when everyone wanted to go home
Henria86 for hooking me up...I would not have been able to pull this off without him and his advice
The Guy in the Blazer for not running me over on my first ride down 89th Street, though I did pull away quick enough
Crazy Blazer in Battery Tunnel for not ramming my car 'cause I was going so slow 'cause I was afraid the Trico Case would fly off my trunk lid
Tom Kellogg for feeding my addiction
My Brother-in-law Leigh for making endless trips to random bike shops all over Tucson to pick my parts up
Mr. Shah at Panasonic for letting me shuffle bike parts in and out of Panasonic without a package pass, and for his advice on dating
Everyone in this thread for taking the time to give me advice...Bike Forums really helped
and finally...
Josh from Excel Sports for taking the time to make sure this frame was the right size, about six months ago, even though I was so scared they were going to sell the last one...
Pix...
(sorry for the poor quality - it's a camera phone)
Again, many thanks to Bay Ridge Bicycles for doing this in less than a day, when everyone else quoted me one week...
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9
Last edited by stevesurf; 11-16-07 at 08:47 AM.
11-16-07, 09:20 AM
#73
Senior Member
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11-16-07, 02:15 PM
#75
Boosted Mr2
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Steve Awesome bulid...
You guys got to see the merlin in person an lift up the bike XXX so damn light for a full ultegra bulid up..
Lose them damn blue tires after u put some miles to this bad boi.. an bring it back so we can dial in the bike some more!!!
You guys got to see the merlin in person an lift up the bike XXX so damn light for a full ultegra bulid up..
Lose them damn blue tires after u put some miles to this bad boi.. an bring it back so we can dial in the bike some more!!!