91 Merlin retro/modern/custom build (aka the Merlingham)

classen

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This is going to be a slow one, but might as well get the thread started.

I bought this frame in the summer of 1992 and built it up with maximum 3DV. I found some serial number information on http://www.merlinbike.com (The site is a bit flakey so you may or may not actually see anything if you go there), which indicates this frame was made in 1991.

1-59 (198:cool:
60-139 (1989)
3518-3604 (1990)
3605- 6353 (1991)
6354-8150 (1992)
8151-9948 (1993)
9949-10757 and C002-C039 (1994)
10758-11568 and XM009-XM033 plus C040-c081 (1995)
11569-13111 and C082-C235 plus XM 034-XM268 (1996)
13112-14352 (1997)
14353-16702 (199:cool:
16703-19096 (1999)
19097-19782 (2000)

It's seen several upgrades and downgrades and served as my go-to commuter for many years, but it is now slated for a retrobike-worthy rebuild.

Here's an old snap shot:
merlin_commuter_sm.jpg


Tentative spec sheet.... as you can see most of it is blank or has a question mark. My current vision is a bit blurry, but I'm leaning towards WTB dirt drop bars, front and rear custom roller cam brakes (I'm calling these Classen Speedmaster Brakes). Since the genuine Cunningham rollercams routinely fetch $900-$1000USD on ebay I thought I'd make my own (more details to follow).

I think I'll call it a "Merlinham" or maybe a "Merlingham"

Frame: Merlin Mountain
Year: 1991 (serial #3899)
Size: M
Fork: Potts type II

Headset: Black 1" Chris King
Stem: Clockwork Bikes reproduction LD
Handlebar: Specialized/WTB Dirt Drop
Bar Tape:

Brakes: Classen Speedmaster (my custom take on the classic WTB Speedmaster)
Brake Pads: ?
Brake Cables: ?
Cantilever cable hangers: n
Brake Levers:

Shifters:
Front Derailleur: M-900 XTR
Rear Derailleur: M-900 XTR
Derailleur Cables:
Cassette:
Chain:
Cranks: Morati Titanium
Crank Bolts: Ritchey Titanium
Chainrings: Blackspire
Chainring bolts: SRP
Bottom Bracket: WTB Integrated Grease Guard (new Phill Wood Titanium spindle and bearing installed by Mike @BMC)
Pedals:

Hub Skewers:
Rims:
Hubs:
Nipples:
Spokes:
Tyres:
Tubes:

Saddle: WTB
Seatpost: 27.2 x 400 mm IRD
Seatpost Binder: Black Ringle

Weight: TBD
 
Here are some recent shots:

I had a new Phil Wood Ti spindle and bearings installed by Mike at Black Mountain Cycles.

new_bb.jpg


I've had this IRD seat post since 1992 and it has been the one component that has survived every rebuild of this bike... so it stays.
merlin_s_1.jpg



merlin_s_2.jpg


please refrain from the disparaging remarks regarding Morati cranks. ;)

merlin_s_3.jpg
 
Hard to beat a good Merlin, so I'm watching on with interest too....

mmmmmm.......morati Ti cranks.. :cool:
 
This frame 49 frames younger than mine. Mine, No. 3850, was purchased in SFco, also in 1992. Strangely yours don't have the noodle. I am also planning to replace my Rock Shox with a Type II or a Ti rigid. Good luck with the rebuild.
 
oh scott! ya gonna start on the Merlin, sweet!!! :cool:

omg, where'd you score thos Morati cranks! :shock: jealous!!!

may i suggest a CK Ti headset as part of your build? ;)
 
I haven't made much real progress lately so I started playing around with the bike CAD program at www.bikecad.ca trying to get an idea of the required stem dimensions for my dirt drop Merlingham. It's a pretty fun program to use and you can certainly waste a lot of time mucking around with every conceivable dimension on your virtual bike.

Merlinham_dimensions.jpg
 
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