Originally Posted by thirdgenbird (Post 16136131)

Im going to vote hot regardless of the poor picture.

Originally Posted by SirHustlerEsq (Post 15928896)

$969 for the bike shipped to my door, $60 stem, $45 handlebars, $80 post, $75 saddle. I ended up getting a 20mm setback seatpost, medium Specialized Romin saddle, 110mm stem (started with a 120, went to a 90, now 110), and switch from the ergo bars to these round bars that I'm not entirely sold on yet. If I could do it all over again, I'd start with a 2cm shorter top-tube bike...but it looks okay now.
When I got it back in April (ugly seat, jacked stem, luggage)
http://i.imgur.com/GT7KDUf.jpg
After 3000 miles of cycling, some fit adjustments, and a better idea of what makes a bike pretty.
http://i.imgur.com/UgRsebk.jpg
https://sphotos-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/h...00156383_n.jpg
Nashbar and Pricepoint had sales on PRO stuff, so I picked that brand and ran with it.

Unfortunately I may have to get a shorter frame to be ultimately happy, and that will probably be an FM066. This will do for now.

Originally Posted by TheRealFaux (Post 16206865)

Originally Posted by SirHustlerEsq (Post 16205739)

Things changed, again. I added Flo30s and my doctor directed me to get shorter crank arms. I'm pretty sure I heard "black Ultegra crank arms". I also had to change to a Romin Evo saddle since the insides of my shorts were rubbing the saddle wings and making holes.

http://i.imgur.com/ovcwoVM.jpg
I went ahead and stuck with 50/34 because of my knee irritation (dealing with that for about 8 years now). When that is back in check I'll get Praxis 53/39 rings.

Okay, I don't think there's anything else I can possibly spend money on at this point. Maybe a Garmin 510, maybe a Stages power meter, lol. Oh yeah, I just broke 6,000 miles on this frame since April.

Originally Posted by TheRealFaux (Post 16206865)

Originally Posted by lyrictenor1 (Post 16206886)

2013 Novara Trenta

Originally Posted by SirHustlerEsq (Post 16205739)

Originally Posted by bwilli88 (Post 16210200)

Budget bike
Fuji Stratos $180
wheels $65
Seat $15
Bar wrap $10

Enjoying every turn of the cranks Pricele$$

http://www.bwilli88.com/albums/Cambo...s/DSC04251.JPG

Originally Posted by TheRealFaux (Post 16206865)

Originally Posted by areFish (Post 16285786)

2013 Trek 1.2
Mavic Aksium Wheelset

http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/a...psd445cdbf.jpg

Originally Posted by link0 (Post 16289584)

Originally Posted by link0 (Post 16289584)

Originally Posted by Ghost Ryder (Post 16290216)

Now you get the idea of how to make your bike hot. :lol:
Don't post it the way you ride it, "doll it up" before you post picture. ;)

End of the day:
The bike is still too big for you...
;)

Originally Posted by link0 (Post 16290280)

This is a different bike from the merlin. It's a 52cm Dean. It's way too small now, :lol:.

Originally Posted by Ghost Ryder (Post 16290297)

My bad!
I've been seeing your other Merlin a lot lately, so I assumed it was the same bike. I apologize.

Does Merlin not make a 54cm frame? ;)
:lol: (joke)

On a positive note:
Smaller is almost always better. Its easier to fit a smaller frame, than it is a frame that's too large. On a small frame you have more room to work with.