1996 MERLIN XLM - finally completed

[Archangel]

Thanks for the compliments guys!
Assembled the headset (Chris King) and fork & stem last night. After getting that done I realized that I hadn't weighed the frame beforehand. Luckily I had weighed all the parts though so now a little bit math is needed

What do you think- should I use cantilevers or V-brakes in the build?
I have a complete set of Machine Tech V-brakes & levers waiting and using XTR M950 in drivetrain would also speak for V-brakes. In '96 V-brakes had just been introduced and everybody was changing their cantis to V-brakes.
On the other hand, both frame and fork have beautiful cantistops...

 

[Kestonian]

What do you think- should I use cantilevers or V-brakes in the build?

I think cantilevers. I think it looks untidy when the cantilever bridge isn't used. I can say this because it's not used on mine and when I'm back in the same country as the bike I want to put some cantis on it! And some Amberwalls.

 

[Archangel]

Got some nice brakes & levers for the XLM:
Avid SD Ultimates and Tri-Aligns.

But fork me, the Tri-Aligns don't seem to fit with the Pace fork! The brake arms interfere with fork's brake bridge. Does anyone happen to know how to go around this issue except buying a pair of brakes with different design (like Grafton, Critical Racing, ...)

Anyhow, installed some preliminary wheels to see how it looks and here it is:

Will probably change that largest chainring to a black version, will probably look better.
How do you guys like the seatpost compared to my old Merlin's Syncros Ti? Which one would be cooler?

 

[FST4RD]

Looks great, although either black large chainring, or the Syncros Ti Post and a nice silver stem to match...

 

[yo-Nate-y]

Diggin' that.

 

[P20]

EDIT: Re-read the problem with brakes.....

 

[Harryburgundy]

Beautiful......quite simply the nicest frames I have ever had the opportunity to touch...the build is looking ace too. Very nice

 

[Agency_Scum]

I'm watching this beauty too. I'd say try cantis for a while. They look great.

 

[Agency_Scum]

I'm watching this beauty too. I'd say try cantis for a while. They look great.

 

[Archangel]

Changed the largest chainring to a black one - looks much better.

Tim will try to help me out with the compatibility issue with Pace & Tri-Aligns. If that doesn't turn out well, then I need to find me a set of Graftons or equivalent...

UPDATE: seems that Tim, the Pace Wizard, is able to provide me a set of new brake pivots with which I could use the Avid brakes. Yay!