My 2001 Merlin mountain

negr6

Dirt Disciple
Another old retro MTB - my Merlin frame which is I believe a 2001 model - the last of the pre-disc mount ones. It's been built up with a variety of bits over the years - some Rockshox Dukes (crap, avoid, despite the nice yellow colour) , some Pace carbon rigid forks (I'm now too fat and old to ride rigid!), and now these Manitou Drakes (cheap, basic and nice).

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OK, hardly really retro, but the gears, wheels and rear brakes are the same era as the frame.
 
negr6":21ml599e said:
Rockshox Dukes (crap, avoid, despite the nice yellow colour)

I really rate my Dukes very highly. Touch wood, they've never let me down in 7 years (cue blown seals when I go in the garage tonight!).
Lovely bike though, it looks absolutely fantastic and is no doubt a very functional ride looking at the spec. Beautiful!
 
Dukes- mayeb I was unlucky, but I had the yellow Duke XCs (I think) which looked lovely and evoked memories of a much lusted after merlin full sus with Judy Ti forks that used to ride around Letchworth where I lived many years ago.

Anyway - I never really got on with the Dukes, and finally sent them off to Fishers for a service (this was 2005 or 2006) - they told me that an air chamber was scored and leaking, and due to the age and relative rarity of the forks they didn't have any spares. I was a bit miffed to say the least, especially given that they hadn't seen much use at all. Worn out before they were fully run-in, I remember thinking.

I've had good and bad RS forks over the years, and sadly more bad than good.
 
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