The Merlin
09-05-07 | 05:23 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
From: Latitude 42○13'44" Longitude 71○41'42" Elevation 223 ft.
Bikes: 2006 Merlin CR Works w/DA 10
09-05-07 | 05:40 AM
#27
Ride more, eat less
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 950
From: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Bikes: Too many but never enough.
It looks to me as if they try to cheapen the manufacturing process by pressing the chainstay into an oval instead of drawing an oval tube. Smilar process is done to Huffy and other less expensive frame manufactures.
09-05-07 | 05:41 AM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
09-05-07 | 05:44 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 0
I don't care how much it weighs, my butt hurts just looking at that thing. Can't wait to see the build.
09-05-07 | 06:17 AM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,159
Likes: 5
If money is no object (doesn't seem to be judging by your saddle choice) I believe you'll be happier with DA over Ultegra in the long run. You have a top notch bike there so why not top it off with the best grouppo. I believe aluminum stems are strongest and just as light; I like the Thompson X2. Cheers!
09-05-07 | 06:30 AM
#31
Thread Starter
another cat...FAB!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 0
From: 1st star to the right...
Bikes: Merlin Ti Build, Trek Y-50, Bianchi Titanium Build, Custom Cuevas Road bike
After see jyossarian on his Merlin on our ride last night, I really have to seriously finish this bike, so I'm gonna try to get the $$$ together:
Here it is so far:
*Merlin 6/4 traditional geometry Ti Frame:
Ultegra Group (so I can easily interchage parts with the Bianchi
*Easton EC90SL Carbon Fork
*Easton EC90 Equipe Carbon Road Bars
*Easton EC70 Carbon/Al Post
*Easton EA70 90mm Al Stem
*Ksyrium SL Wheels (worried about this choice, but too late the LBS has it)
Selle Strike Carbon Seat
Headset - Chris King NoThreadSet Ti
*Pedals - Time RSX Carbon Ti
Spacers - Ti
Tires - Vredestein Fortezza TriComp
Tape - RavX Stitch tape
*Bottle Cage - Time Carbon
*Purchased already; If you guys have recommended sources for the other parts...let me know; otherwise, I'll just be hunting Excel or Performance.
Thanks for the great recommendations!!!
Here it is so far:
*Merlin 6/4 traditional geometry Ti Frame:
Ultegra Group (so I can easily interchage parts with the Bianchi
*Easton EC90SL Carbon Fork
*Easton EC90 Equipe Carbon Road Bars
*Easton EC70 Carbon/Al Post
*Easton EA70 90mm Al Stem
*Ksyrium SL Wheels (worried about this choice, but too late the LBS has it)
Selle Strike Carbon Seat
Headset - Chris King NoThreadSet Ti
*Pedals - Time RSX Carbon Ti
Spacers - Ti
Tires - Vredestein Fortezza TriComp
Tape - RavX Stitch tape
*Bottle Cage - Time Carbon
*Purchased already; If you guys have recommended sources for the other parts...let me know; otherwise, I'll just be hunting Excel or Performance.
Thanks for the great recommendations!!!
__________________
Change the course of the Epidemic | The Merlin | Merlin XLM | Bianchi Ti | CyclePeople
Don't take it off until there's a cure LIVESTRONG | pay it forward | Cats | NEW Gallery
Don't take it off until there's a cure LIVESTRONG | pay it forward | Cats | NEW Gallery
9
09-05-07 | 06:44 AM
#32
your god hates me
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 3,576
Bikes: 2016 Richard Sachs, 2010 Carl Strong, 2006 Cannondale Synapse
If it were my build I budget a little extra to have some paintshop sandblast *all* the decals off that sucker. Fugly bike imho. But if it's anything like the Merlin Extralight I rode last year it will be one SWEET ride! Good luck.
09-05-07 | 06:53 AM
#33
Thread Starter
another cat...FAB!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 0
From: 1st star to the right...
Bikes: Merlin Ti Build, Trek Y-50, Bianchi Titanium Build, Custom Cuevas Road bike
they'll be tough to get off, but I'll get around to it
__________________
Change the course of the Epidemic | The Merlin | Merlin XLM | Bianchi Ti | CyclePeople
Don't take it off until there's a cure LIVESTRONG | pay it forward | Cats | NEW Gallery
Don't take it off until there's a cure LIVESTRONG | pay it forward | Cats | NEW Gallery
9
09-05-07 | 07:03 AM
#35
Thread Starter
another cat...FAB!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 0
From: 1st star to the right...
Bikes: Merlin Ti Build, Trek Y-50, Bianchi Titanium Build, Custom Cuevas Road bike
Thank you!!!
__________________
Change the course of the Epidemic | The Merlin | Merlin XLM | Bianchi Ti | CyclePeople
Don't take it off until there's a cure LIVESTRONG | pay it forward | Cats | NEW Gallery
Don't take it off until there's a cure LIVESTRONG | pay it forward | Cats | NEW Gallery
9
09-05-07 | 07:09 AM
#36
Call me The Breeze
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,702
Likes: 8
From: Cooper Ontario
Bikes: 2004 Litespeed Siena, 1996 Litespeed Obed, 1992 Miele (unknown model), 1982 Meile Uno LS.
Group- Ultegra
Headset- King. The non-ti one is a hell of a lot cheaper.
Seat/tape/spacers- whatever you like
Tires- prorace2
Lose- carbon seatpost and replace with Thomson
lose- those stickers.
Headset- King. The non-ti one is a hell of a lot cheaper.
Seat/tape/spacers- whatever you like
Tires- prorace2
Lose- carbon seatpost and replace with Thomson
lose- those stickers.
09-05-07 | 02:54 PM
#38
Thread Starter
another cat...FAB!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 0
From: 1st star to the right...
Bikes: Merlin Ti Build, Trek Y-50, Bianchi Titanium Build, Custom Cuevas Road bike
Group- Ultegra
done - Probikekit
Headset- King. The non-ti one is a hell of a lot cheaper.
Yeah - you're right - done
Seat/tape/spacers- whatever you like
Tires- prorace2
I want that 145 psi so that I can continue drinking beer with these guys
Lose- carbon seatpost and replace with Thomson
too late
lose- those stickers.
done
done - Probikekit
Headset- King. The non-ti one is a hell of a lot cheaper.
Yeah - you're right - done
Seat/tape/spacers- whatever you like
Tires- prorace2
I want that 145 psi so that I can continue drinking beer with these guys
Lose- carbon seatpost and replace with Thomson
too late
lose- those stickers.
done
__________________
Change the course of the Epidemic | The Merlin | Merlin XLM | Bianchi Ti | CyclePeople
Don't take it off until there's a cure LIVESTRONG | pay it forward | Cats | NEW Gallery
Don't take it off until there's a cure LIVESTRONG | pay it forward | Cats | NEW Gallery
9
09-05-07 | 04:43 PM
#40
Overacting because I can
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,552
Likes: 0
From: The Mean Streets of Bethesda, MD
Bikes: Merlin Agilis, Trek 1500
Indentations are located for tire or chainring clearance. Merlin uses them even if tubes are round.
__________________
“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)
09-05-07 | 04:45 PM
#41
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
Likes: 32
From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
Those new Merlin decals are astonishingly tasteless. I wonder if they hired a consultant to come up with those?
09-05-07 | 04:48 PM
#42
Overacting because I can
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,552
Likes: 0
From: The Mean Streets of Bethesda, MD
Bikes: Merlin Agilis, Trek 1500
Can't go wrong with old school [mine is Shimano DA10, with less pronounced compact-ness, so it's even better looking].
__________________
“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)
09-05-07 | 04:54 PM
#43
I would go SRAM for the cleaner cable routing.
09-05-07 | 05:05 PM
#44
But wait... I AM the man.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 641
Likes: 2
From: No Ga.
Bikes: Merlin Extralight DA, 1982 Peugeot CFX-10 Campy NR, 7 Cruisers kept at beach, Raleigh Passage 4.0 hybrid, Marin Commuter with racks and bags
Okay, here's mine with Easton Ascent II, Thompson sp, ITM stem, Deda bars, Toupe,, King headset, DA10 everything.
Matt
Matt
09-05-07 | 05:21 PM
#46
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 680
Likes: 2
From: Madison, CT
Bikes: '98 Rhygin SS road,'99 Fat Chance Ti Fat, '95 Azonic Mtn bike, '88 Giant Sedona.
09-05-07 | 06:36 PM
#48
Erect member since 1953
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,000
Likes: 38
From: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
The most important thing here is to get the spacers right. If you get the wrong ones the whole bike an burst into flame, just like a Simpsons milk truck.
A know some will say carbon, some aluminum, but trust me here, beryllium is the way you need to go.
A know some will say carbon, some aluminum, but trust me here, beryllium is the way you need to go.
09-05-07 | 07:15 PM
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, La.
Right now I'm trying to decide again between Ultegra and DA...[/QUOTE]
Dura Ace at probikekit.com. Otherwise Ultegra SL compact. I really like Ultegra SL on my new Trek. My olf bike had Dura ace 9sp triple and it was very nice too.
Dura Ace at probikekit.com. Otherwise Ultegra SL compact. I really like Ultegra SL on my new Trek. My olf bike had Dura ace 9sp triple and it was very nice too.