Reimagining a 1988 Merlin Mountain

[br0qn]

please sir...

 

[pw_pw_la]

Well, I've been riding this for a week or two now, after making a few initial tweaks and additions.

And I have to say, I absolutely love it in this form!

There's lots to say about riding a titanium bike for the first time, as well as immediate issues and changes I plan to make, so I'll get to a little ride report eventually for anyone interested.

First I need to remember to take a few detailed photos once I've cleaned all the winter mud off!

It's actually be raining a bunch in LA. Which is nice!

 

[slackboy]

Well here it stands, the build as it was intended to be ridden today at Nutmeg, which sits now, instead, in a dark workshop in Brooklyn, while everyone else hits those autumnal Connecticut trails!

View attachment 673103


I figured it made sense to post it on the day it was supposed to be first ridden.

I'll go over the details of the build, as well as any initial changes I may make (black caged pedals!) when it arrives on the West Coast, hopefully in a week or two.

It won't be for everyone, I know. I don't even know yet if it'll be for me! But I'm happy with how it came together, in all honesty. As I've never attempted a build like this before.

I wonder how it rides?

Not sure how i missed this before, but that is a thing of rare beauty - it just needs a 11-51 cassette on the back and it will be perfect ;-)

 

[pw_pw_la]

Not sure how i missed this before, but that is a thing of rare beauty - it just needs a 11-51 cassette on the back and it will be perfect ;-)

Ha, well, funnily enough, one of my initial thoughts and plans is to upgrade to a 11- or 12-speed setup.

As much as I hate the pizza pan look, I'm certainly feeling like I need something a little higher and lower on either end of my current spread.

I am 1x novice, tho. So it's gonna take me a minute to wrap my head around how this all works and what I might need for my regular riding!

As for it's beauty.... Hard to argue there!

There's a very real chance it might just stay in this form. I'm enjoying it massively! Although, there are definitely a few tweaks to be made.

First of which will be the tires. Followed most likely by the afromentioned drivetrain switch, as well as perhaps the rear brake.

It's still pouring with rain here, but there's a chance of sun tomorrow so I might give it a clean and try to snap a few photos.

There's a basket on it now, too!

 

[slackboy]

Any more hip, and it will need it's own Instagram account

 

[pw_pw_la]

Hahaha. Don’t I know it!

 

[caemis]

Wow, what a great story! I love it and I am looking forward to see pics of your Merlin.

(Haven't yet abandoned the idea of a work related trip to the States say mid-october myself )

 

[pw_pw_la]

Wow, what a great story! I love it and I am looking forward to see pics of your Merlin.

(Haven't yet abandoned the idea of a work related trip to the States say mid-october myself )

Ah, thanks!

This thread is due some heavy updates. As quite a lot has happened with this bike since my friend finished it, but I’m waiting on a few solutions to problems to materialize, then there’s a bit of rebuilding to do, then I’ll shoot some proper photos.

For now tho, here it is, in its inbetween state:

 

[pw_pw_la]

A little shakedown ride yesterday after the first major change:



I wonder if anyone can spot it…

 

[pw_pw_la]

And another two, from today:




This was actually my first time riding it without the basket. It's been dry-docked for a few months now, and although it's not close to it's final form, it's closer!

I'll get to the changes, issues, solutions and plans shortly.

But big thanks to @br0qn for the loaner rear wheel to keep me on the road (and in the stream) and for getting me thinking about trying it without the basket in the first place!

This thing GOES.

It's light as all hell with the ti frame and bars, the 1x setup, and the plastic Unicantor. And a real pleasure to ride.

More soon...