a1penguin

I kinda like the silver wheel dishes, but the rest of that Merckx is definitely hot. So *clean*. And such *clean lines* on that bike.

NathanC

Eddy Merckx bikes are always hot.

a1penguin

They don't seem to be popular in the US. I think I've seen only one Merckx bike and it was a vintage and not in great shape.

DrPete 

My tri-geek contribution. I am planning to get the new "beyond black" Zipp decals and I've got to cut the steerer down, but otherwise it's pretty utilitarian--a comfortable and powerful aero position won over sexiness on this build. Argon's geometry ended up being a decent match for my somewhat funky measurements.

2ndGen

Argon...Damn nice bikes.
And yes to the beyond black decals.
I like.

DrPete 

My only gripe is that while the brakes perform amazingly well (they're V-brakes front and rear), the proprietary nature of the design and the placement (especially of the rear brake) make them a bit of a PITA to work on. The good news is that once they're dialed in they're some seriously strong brakes with excellent modulation.

Granted some of the advantage might be from the better fit I have on the Argon vs my old P2, but as a bike this thing is as stiff in the BB and chainstays as the P2 but does have a bit cushier ride. It's also a bit lower to the ground thanks to more BB drop vs Cervelo's geometry, and the handling is awesome. Quick handling by tri bike standards and sure-footed enough to take some curves/turns in the aerobars that would've had me on the horns on the P2. Again I think a big part of that is fit, but the Argon beats the Cervelo for me.

khatfull

My humble contribution which would also be eligible for the budget thread as well.

Frame: 2001 Klein Quantum, Silver Cloud, 58cm
Fork: Klein Air Rail OD
Headset: Cane Creek S2
Wheelset: 2006 Mavic Ksyrium Elite
Tires: Continental Grand Prix 24 (in transit, Hutchinson whatever pictured so I could ride the @#$%^&* thing, PBK...
BB: Shimano BB-5700
Crankset: Shimano FC-5700, 50/34
Pedals: Shimano PD-5700
Chain: Shimano CN-5700
RD: Shimano RD-5700, SS
FD: Shimano FD-5700, braze on
Cassette: Shimano CS-5700, 11-28
Shifters: Shimano ST-5700
Calipers: Shimano BR-5700
Stem: Ritchey Pro, alloy, 100mm
Bars: Ritchey Pro EvoCurve, alloy, 40cm
Seatpost: Ritchey Pro Carbon
Saddle: PRO Turnix (will be changed to anything else)
Bar Tape: Fizik Microtex Silver
Cages: Elite Patao 74
Cables/Housings: Jagwire

Bike as purchased from local CL:



And, after...

Ricanfred

Klein is HOT!

DrPete 

Especially the pre-buyout Kleins. I remember mountain biking back in the 90s and actually thinking this thing was the most gorgeous bike ever. Times do change--thankfully.

Commodus

What exactly made us love ano purple so much anyways...

I think I still have a purple bottle cage from back in the day lying around.

DrPete 

How Ringle' faded away after taking so much of our money is a mystery to me. Never could swing the hubs on my high school job paycheck but I did manage the Moby Post, Zooka stem, QRs, and of course the cages.

2ndGen

The Argon was my alternative choice when I got my CAAD.
They had awesome aluminum frames.

Oh hell's yeah!

I did something similar with my MTB. Picked up a near mint 2003 Gary Fisher Sugar 4+ that was hardly used.
I upgraded the cockpit, took off what IMO didn't belong on a MTB and well, here she is...
(I thought I'd have to replace the LX group, but after some tinkering, I have her shifting like buttah now)

Before...



After...
Uprades:

• ODI Rogue Grips
• Easton EA70 Bar
• Thomson X4 Stem
• Kenda Nevegals
• Fresh Tubes
• Kool Stop Pads
• Thomson Elite Post
• WTB Rocket V-Pro Saddle
• Shimano M-737 SPDs

29 lbs

DrPete 

It's a good thing I love my Lynskey--otherwise the Gallium would be calling my name too.

abstractform20

pardon the mismatched cages, and ugly handlebars: it was a budget build. if only the 50cm top tube were a little bit longer...didnt feel like commissioning a custom seatpost...but if i still had it, i probably would. i loved this bike.

it had much potential.

notice the 37cm chainstays.

trobinson017

This flippin' looks like a bike a Star Wars Stormtrooper would ride! Wicked geometry but very beautiful!

X-LinkedRider

Why not just buy a longer seatpost and cut the bottom of the seatpost off at the rite height.

abstractform20

what the hell are you talking about? a longer seatpost? i had to cut the seatpost to fit.

the top tube was only 50cm; i needed more offset, and nobody had what i needed.

even a selle smp (longest usable rail length) didnt work. needed a little bit more.

thus, i did not feel like spending about $200 on a saddle and $100 or more on a quality custom seatpost.

X-LinkedRider

Got you. Thought you meant because of the shape of the seat tube, you couldn't get one that was the right height. Didn't even occur that you'd want the seat further back.

abstractform20

nah...but setting the saddle height was a bjtch. the shape of the seat tube meant i had to cut gradually to get it just right and leave enough
seatpost to be safe.

DrPete 

Now that you mention it, the gloss white with black graphics and the tube shapes actually do look very stormtrooper-ish. I like it even more.

DRietz

Is it weird that this is my favorite bike in this thread?

Maybe it's just because I'm a total mountain bike dork. And a retro nerd.

:drool:

dgasmd

What happened with the Cervelo?

ancker

I'm sure there's an anatomical reason for the setup on that Argon. But with the bars that far above the top tube it's a definite Not.
Also, a compact on a TT/Tri bike. Yuck.

Desertrats97

I agree ancker. not

DrPete 

It was a little too long-and-low for my recently-operated-on shoulder. And honestly just a better fit overall.