1992 Merlin Mountain

[shamobius]

I think most of us have done this at one time or another; built a bike around one component. You find something rare and beautiful and know that it just won't look right on anything currently in your stable. In my case the component was a rare titanium stem/bar combo by Mike Augspurger from Merlin. He left to start his own company in 1990: One-Off Titanium (I believe he builds titanium off-road arm-powered vehicles now).

1990 One-Off BarStem Mike Augspurger by shamalama88, on Flickr

It was given to me by a friend. The bars had been cut down to an almost un-usable 20", so I had a machinist press fit extensions in to the ends to bring it out a little past 23" width.

IMG_0830 by shamalama88, on Flickr

 

[tintin40]

Very nice work on the bar.

 

[shamobius]

Thanks tintin40, $60 well spent.

 

[tintin40]

Thanks tintin40, $60 well spent.

Bargain of the year.

 

[newsboy]

nice one

 

[Si_33]

Very nice Shamus

That's a very tidy job on extending the bar

 

[shamobius]

That stem ended up on my Manitou, but never really looked right to me. When I finally swapped it out it just sat around waiting for something to happen. Something did; I traded a set of NOS White Industry hubs for a titanium IRD fork with a 1" steerer. At that point I knew I needed to do a titanium build. Not long after I scored a 1992 Merlin Mountain frame on eBay. A local bike shop had the bottom bracket spindle I needed, and the rest came together fairly easily. Its a 16.5" frame (c2c), with a long 23" (c2c) top tube. I liked that this frame had the optional upgrade to the top tube cable routing.

Yes the IRD forks are flexy, and there is some brake chatter. But I mostly ride slow technical singletrack and I find the flex comfortable. Its like a bit of 'suspension' before suspension was viable. I wouldn't feel as at ease on faster terrain I am sure. I can't remember where I read it, but apparently these forks were intended for use by riders in the 160lb range. The only way I'm getting close to that number is by tying 1,700 helium-filled balloons to my belt (I looked it up)!

20170425_085737 by shamalama88, on Flickr

20170425_085816 by shamalama88, on Flickr

20170425_085753 by shamalama88, on Flickr

20170425_090139 by shamalama88, on Flickr

20170425_090150 by shamalama88, on Flickr

20170425_090121 by shamalama88, on Flickr

20170425_085849 by shamalama88, on Flickr

20170425_085926 by shamalama88, on Flickr

20170425_091107_001 by shamalama88, on Flickr

Admittedly not the prettiest welds on the front of the stem...

 

[WandsworthRouleur]

Wow, that is a thing of beauty. Great component selection. Wonderful looking build.

I really must get something titanium in my life!

 

[rumpfy]

Legit work on those bars! If you ever get rid of them, let me know first!

 

[M-Power]

Re:

Elegance personified and a much appreciated ride report.