The Merlin
09-05-07, 05:23 AM
#26
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09-05-07, 05:40 AM
#27
Ride more, eat less
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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
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09-05-07, 05:44 AM
#29
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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
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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
another cat...FAB!
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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!!!
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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
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09-05-07, 06:44 AM
#32
your god hates me
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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
another cat...FAB!
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they'll be tough to get off, but I'll get around to it
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09-05-07, 06:55 AM
#34
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DA is currently selling for $766.12 tax and shipping free at Probikekit.com
Ultegra SL $693.99
Ultegra $461.56
Don't believe you'll find cheaper prices anywhere on earth.
Ultegra SL $693.99
Ultegra $461.56
Don't believe you'll find cheaper prices anywhere on earth.
09-05-07, 07:03 AM
#35
another cat...FAB!
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Thank you!!!
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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
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, 08:15 AM
#37
Boosted Mr2
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Steve..
thats my bike that u got mixed up .. but ur setup will be much nicer an faster..
jyossarian was riding his Haro..
thats my bike that u got mixed up .. but ur setup will be much nicer an faster..
jyossarian was riding his Haro..
09-05-07, 02:54 PM
#38
another cat...FAB!
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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
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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, 04:25 PM
#39
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Here's my Merlin - let's see if this works.
Yeah, I know - ISATI
Yeah, I know - ISATI
09-05-07, 04:43 PM
#40
Overacting because I can
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Indentations are located for tire or chainring clearance. Merlin uses them even if tubes are round.
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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)
09-05-07, 04:45 PM
#41
Peloton Shelter Dog
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
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Can't go wrong with old school [mine is Shimano DA10, with less pronounced compact-ness, so it's even better looking].
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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)
09-05-07, 05:05 PM
#44
But wait... I AM the man.
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Okay, here's mine with Easton Ascent II, Thompson sp, ITM stem, Deda bars, Toupe,, King headset, DA10 everything.
Matt
Matt
09-05-07, 05:08 PM
#45
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Does Patentcad approve? That's all that matters to me.
09-05-07, 05:36 PM
#47
So what did YOU do to it?
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09-05-07, 06:36 PM
#48
Erect member since 1953
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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
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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.