Spookykinkajou

So, I need to look cool as I pass everyone (on the left) and need advice for what parts to change.

Things I'm considering: King Ti cages, Moots ti stem w/ Ti spacers (stickers removed of course), and a black shim instead of the current silver unless I go moots and then the silver might make more sense.

the saddle can be changed to Fizik Aliante colors or a white Nago.

What else?

patentcad

Dude. It's a Merlin. Give it a friggin rest.

This is your 'Back to the 90's' Project Bike isn't it? That's so (sniff) sentimental.

Spookykinkajou

Just tell me what to do.

Pablo.

Flip it, drop the stack height and find a new fork.

Spookykinkajou

What fork? 1"

mista_chewey

give it to me i make all bikes look better

Dubbayoo

I'd change the stem to a 0-rise and the fork to a Reynolds or Easto, purely for vanity. Beyond that it's perfect as is.

jasandalb

it looks fine like it is..............

Everest

Personally I'd go for a straight blade Alpha Q fork or an Easton Ec90 rather than the curved blade Alpha Q you have on now. For purely cosmetic reasons I would also pick a color and carry it though out the bike say blue fizik saddle, blue fizik tape, blue anodized seat color, blue Chris King headset, and blue anodized cages. Just make sure you don't go overboard with colored accessories keep things tasteful. Moots stem would also look good too.

Johannes

the bike is a beauty as you have it. titanium with black and small red accents look great i think.

what do the people you pass (on the left) ride to make you feel that you have to change anything on your bike?

ridethecliche

Get better wheels.

Johannes

i like the look of the wheels. clean look without annoying decals. the colors reflect the overall black&metal theme. which wheels would you pick?

Spookykinkajou

NYC offers one the opportunity to witness what many would call the ideal bike ridden by the less than ideal pilot. Those are generally the guys I pass, and the ones who snort when they see my '09 centaur rear derailleur.

mrbubbles

What's wrong with his wheels?

Spookykinkajou

I've ridden better, or I should say, cost more, and I think the neuvations pictured are better wheels for JRA. The rear hub is nearly silent, the bearings spin forever, and they are as stiff as I could ask for.

Spookykinkajou

Thanks, I'm glad the ~ 1 hour I spent removing all the very ugly decals was noticed

Johannes

your bike is one of the nicest rides even on weekend rides on the 9W when people take their top-of-the-line-tin out for a spin. maybe you mistook their huffing&puffing for snorting. accept condescending remarks only from people passing on your left

tkehler

I like the look of the bike exactly as it is. The red works well with the ti.

I have a ti bike -- unfortunately not a Merlin -- and the seat has a bit of red on it (Selle SMP).

I had a half-carbon FSA stem, and some Deda handlebars. I went with a Deda "polished" (the one that kinda looks like titanium) stem, instead. It threw the whole look off. Then I tried a Moots stem. That didn't work either. Too much silver and not enough black to contrast with the other black stuff.

The black (and red) of the stem you have works well with the bike because it has some black (and red) in all places: fork, bar tape, wheels, saddle.

So spend the money on something that actually affects your ride, not the looks, which are fine!

GP

pink Deep-Vs.

tkehler

I just showed the bike pic to some friends (including another Seven owner, like me: mtb owners that is). We voted. You are mad to change anything aesthetic on that bike.

Johannes

pink deep Vs? he didn't say he wants to cruise bars and hang out in front of cafes in williamsburg. if so, i will of course i agree with you

Spookykinkajou

Hmm, a few persuasive posts.

The odd (sad) thing is when I first received the frame, I had a Javelin Torgiano (new) in the other hand - or nearby anyways - and looking at the Merlin, I felt a bit disappointed. The Javelin was a theft ($900) off eBay and the original base for my winter build.

Ti vs Carbon. 1100 vs 800 grams. Granted, the Jav. retails for $4600 and looks like it was made by an artist, but it also felt like a kid's plastic toy car. I was hunting for longevity and reliability so decided to stick with the Extralite. Glad I did.

I guess a bit of those initial feelings remain, but each time I ride it they slowly dissipate in to the noisy pollution of Manhattan.

I guess I'll have to spend $ on the wife's ride instead

j_amie_

Next time take your pic so we can see the drive side. I like it, looks nice, only thing i would change is the stem.

Spookykinkajou

I've a pic, I think, and will dig for one after typing this sentence. Well, close, but it seems the bike always faced away when taken in full. Here are a few shots I took a few weeks ago:

j_amie_

Sexy.