1991 Merlin Elevator rebuild

[Bytesex]

I am rebuilding my old Merlin and thought I could document it here. The bike has been ridden a lot in the 90s and noughties. Across the Alps and at home.

Current look:

 

[newsboy]

what is the serialnumber please? so i can share it here https://merlintitanium.com/merlin_register.html

 

[mk one]

Looking forward to seeing more.

 

[Bytesex]

what is the serialnumber please? so i can share it here https://merlintitanium.com/merlin_register.html

Serial number is 4240.

 

[Retro Spud]

Hi ByTesex
Welcome to Retro bike - thats one hell of bike.

 

[Bytesex]

The components..

Frame: Merlin Elevator
Year: 1991

Seat post: Richie Nitto
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Titanium

Cranks: Syncros Revolution + Crank-o-matic
Pedals: Suntour
Bottom bracket: WTB / Suntour Grease Guard
Chain: Rohloff S-L-T 99
Chainwheels: Shimano

Stem: Syncros Cattleprod
Handle bar: Merlin Titanium
Bar ends: Syncros Steerhorns

Shifters: Shimano Deore XT
Front derailleur: Shimano Deore XT
Rear derailleur: Shimano XTR

Brakes: Magura HS22 hydraulic + boosters

Fork: Rock Shock Judy XC

Rims: Mavic 117 S.U.P. CD ceramic
Hub front: Bullseye
Hub rear: HÜGI compact
Hub skewers: Ringlé Holey
Tyres: Manitou (f) / Richie Z-Max (r)

 

[Bytesex]

Hi ByTesex
Welcome to Retro bike - thats one hell of bike.

Thanks Mr. Spud

 

[Bytesex]

So a little background about the bike: In its early days it had a Litespeed Titanium fork fitted which turned out to be terrible off road. It was replaced by a Rock Shock Judy XC. It also had Grafton Speedcontrollers mounted for some time. These were super noisy and couldn't be silenced and got replaced by Magura hydraulic breaks. It's the second set of Syncros cranks on this bike. I managed to break the first set in a jump. Kindly replaced on warranty. The seat post used to be a Syncros Propost 2nd gen clamp. It broke whilst going downhill somewhere in the beautiful Austrian mountains. I had to continue without a saddle and - many stops later - eventually found a bike shop and got the Richie. The rims also got destroyed a couple of times.

The plan is to refurbish the frame, remove what's left of existing stickers and apply replacement stickers. I got a set of original decals that Merlin sent on request to owners. Everything else will stay if still in decent shape except:

The seat post should be a Syncros Propost again. Looking for a 3rd generation, 27.2 mm.

I would love to replace the Rock Shock fork by a Marzocchi Bomber Z1. Superior suspension tech, no elastomeres, more travel, from the same decade.

The 0 degree stem will potentially be replaced by a 15 degree Syncros Cattleprod, depending on if and how the Marzocchi changes the handle bar position. The 0 degree looked cool but is simply too uncomfy for Alpine touring.

 

[Canuckbiker]

Amazing cool bike, signing in for updates

 

[Prodigal Son]

I would like to know how does it ride compared to a double diamond frame. Anyone rode both head to head? Very cool bike. The Z1 height will mess w/ the geo.. a z2 would give all you want from hydraulics w/ less a-c height.

PS: You already broke two Syncros parts and were lucky not to break the stem while riding. Why not stay w/ Nitto and get one of their steel stems? Why go back to the syncros post?