Well, this build is now actually finished, and has already been out on its short maiden voyage. But as is always the case, it takes longer to update the thread than build the actual bike!
Which means I'm a little behind.
Anyway, I'll keep it brief before the final reveal...
Here's the little red-tone update I was previously discussing:
A little nod to the WTB Chris King version of the Grease Guard headset, of course.
You'll notice the Marin decal. My original idea had been either all white or all black decals, but I kept putting off ordering a set for some reason. Then an original headtube badge in black showed up on here one day, courtesy of
@Matt2014 and that gave me a thought...
There's something really nice about a blank canvas; the classic stealth build. Especially with the forks "missing" the large Syncros logos on the legs, and given the theme of the build was a high-end, cleaned up version of something you might be lucky enough to find on Craigslist. So, for the time being at least, I've decided that the above badge will be the only decal on the frame.
This might be a controversial choice, I know. But one I like and am sticking with for now!
(I'm sure I'll get around to ordering full decal set from Gil eventually, just to have, but for the time being I'm going for this more incognito look!)
The cockpit is a slightly left field choice, too. And, once again, was chosen for the donor bike theme: a lovely mint ATAC showed up on eBay early on while figuring out this bike, and an NOS Hyperlite on Craigslist for cheap shortly thereafter. It was hard not to use those, and I actually really like how they look on the frame. The black/white combo of the stem is especially pleasing alongside the Powerlites.
As for the rest of the front end...
Original Paul Love Levers in black, to match the brake of choice (more on that particular nightmare to follow); Suntour XC Pro thumbies to go with the rest of the group, and my preferred grip: the Ritchey WCS in foam.