merlin build idea's

[Lid]

metamorphose of my merlin, first try how looks so many Merlins:

second try:

cheers

Love IRD but really think you had it better on the first build.
Strange how these frames seem to look better with a more conservative build. Maybe its the understated class that they had.

 

[davemev]

What year is the frame? What groupo are you thinking?

 

[videojetman]

i was told by the seller it was a 1995 frame,
i think xtr will be the grouppo for this build.
possibly leaning towards pace rc31 forks.

 

[yo-eddy]

i was told by the seller it was a 1995 frame,
i think xtr will be the grouppo for this build.
possibly leaning towards pace rc31 forks.

M900, Ritchey forks, Salsa stem ...... my brother just snapped his RC31 (Ti innerlegs) .....and they would look ugly on the Merlin anyway

 

[sancho]

Hello lads, little input from me on my slow Merlin build. I am going rigid with some black Tange forks

Great choice. The Tange Superlight/Ultralight fork is light, very responsive, and looks proper on old Merlins.

 

[ringo]

My plan is subtle but sophisticated. M900 running gear, pewter grafting cranks and probably a Judy FSX.

Northern Dave... I'm so glad your building it like that, I so nearly bought that frame but wanted the night to sleep on it and I don't really do the dibs thing...

Sounds like it's gone to a great home... can't wait to see a build thread!

 

[Vinevo]

i was told by the seller it was a 1995 frame,
i think xtr will be the grouppo for this build.
possibly leaning towards pace rc31 forks.

Jeff, if you look up the serial number on the net, google Merlin serial numbers, it gives you the serial numbers used and what years they were allocated.

I got some tyres and a BB coming so not far of a build.

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

i'd go for the following:

- Salsa roller quill stem (black)
- Ritchey Logic rigid fork
- 1" XT Headset (black)
- XT-732 Brake levers (black)
- XT-732 thumb shifters
- XT-734 brakes (black)
- XT 730/732 wheelset with black rims + nice skinwall tires (e.g. specialized ground control)
- XT-730 seatpost (alternatively: black american classic or syncros titanium)
- Avocet Racing Saddle
- XT-730 silver crankset w/ black chainrings

to give you an example of how that would look like - this is my former Merlin Mountain.

Best

Moritz

That's PERFECT IMHO. Looks exactly as I'd spec it.

I never understood this "I have to have suspension forks as it will be ridden". Errr I rode for 15 years without them, and I love the downhills. ;-)

 

[trip]

This is how I built my 1995 Merlin first, and later...
Sorry, the pics are in the wrong position, second build with Switchblades

 

[Antstark]

Just about to start my 92 build.

Cant go wrong with XT and a liberal smattering of bling IMO.

XT 73* where it matters
PACE RC35 XC...whatever the later ones were..this is going to be a rider and I like the way these feel.
Wheels are TNT F&R with NOS Araya 395s
Toplines with middleburn rings
Syncros for the sticky up bits
NOS Rolls Titanio saddle
goddamwaytooexpensive Ringle to finish