This is my winter bike set-up with some of my favorite components. Bought the frame, size large, from a sponsored racer and stripped it down and refinished it for that gorgeous Ti look. These are my second pair of Reynolds KOMs and I love them, these have the White Industries H1 titanium hub and are light weight and stiff. I have the Zipp Vuma cranks on all my bikes as well as several other components to make hopping from one bike to the next enjoyable. Sprints like a pitbull and climbs like a billy goat, loving the compact geometry, 1" stays and Merlin quality. The build is as follows:

Merlin CR Works Titanium Frame Size Large
Reynolds Ouzo Pro Fork 1 1/8" 43mm rake
Reynolds Integrated Carbon Steerer Tube Expander
Reynolds Ouzo Pro Seatpost 31.6mm
Reynolds KOM Wheelset Sapim CX Ray Bladed 20/24
White Industries H1 hubs front/rear with Titanium hub body
Shimano Dura Ace 7900 Shifters/Levers
Shimano Dura Ace 7900 Front Derailleur
Shimano Dura Ace 7900 Rear Deralleur w/ KCNC Ceramic Pulleys
Zipp Vuma Quad Crankset 53/39 175mm
Zipp Ceramic Bottom Bracket
KCNC Cassette 12-25
KMC X10SL Chain
Chris King Sotto Voce Headset 1 1/8"
Chris King Titanium Crown Race
Extralite UL3 Stem 120mm x 26mm
Easton EC90 Handlebars 44cm X 26mm
M5 Brakeset w/Swiss Stop pads
M5 Seat Collar 34.9mm
KCNC Titanium/Alloy Skewers
Selle Italia SLR Carbonio Saddle
Veloflex Servizio Corsa Rear Tubular
Continental Competition Front Tubular
Power Cordz Brake Housing
Jagwire Shifter Housing
Clarks Cables Brakes Cables
Bontrager Teflon Coated Shifting Cable

Total Weight 13.1lbs

Could easily drop some weight with bolt tuning or lighter parts than the Reynolds but they are very durable and reliable. Been riding this almost exclusively since I built it and it is hard to not love the Ti ride.

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Felt DA(RIP), Look 595, Merlin CR Works, Calfee Tetra Pro, Moots Vamoots

Jolly well done. The bike features some very unique aesthetic points, yet the accents are nicely integrated into the whole. Those are great welds on that frame, too. Stripping it down was an excellent choice. Congratulations on a nice build, and thank you for getting the professional pictures taken! Makes for a hell of a show. Cheers!

-Gregory

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My 2003 Raleigh Team

Nice to see some Merlin's again...

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"It never gets easier, you just go faster..." - Greg Lemond

"Because technology alone is a poor substitute for experience." - Richard Sachs

How are you dealing with the M5 brakes paired with DA7900 Shift/Brake Levers? The brakes don't have a quick release, and you aren't using a Campagnolo system with the QR located in the shifter.

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Exp001

The rim width of the Reynolds KOM is not a problem with the pad clearance on the M5's, the tires however have to be deflated to remove the wheels, which is not a problem as I check tire pressure before every ride. Honestly have not found a better WW brakeset as far as stopping power, and seeing as this is my foul weather and beat-em up bike I definitely went with the M5 set. I also have KCNC C7, Ciamillo Negative G GSL version, Ciamillo Zero G and the M5's are unmatched they just require a little extra attention. The 7900 levers have a shorter "throw" and provide better modulation with the M5's than any of my other brakes. Braking is #1 with a bullet for me as my weight, 175lbs, is pushing the limits on most of my WW bikes.

Thanks for the comments all photography done by http://www.jefffarsaiphotography.com/

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Felt DA(RIP), Look 595, Merlin CR Works, Calfee Tetra Pro, Moots Vamoots

Very well done! Still some options to loose weight and not compromise performance. The Reynolds fork rides great but there are lighter options. Did you consider I-Links?

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-For my next trick I will set myself on fire!
-This board and the world in general would be a much nicer place if everyone could just take themselves a little less seriously.
-Sticky Fingers John Rockefeller
-First one over the cliff wins!

Nice clean bike!

How are the Reynolds KOM rims working out for you? I purchased a set of wheels with KOM rims which I plan to use next season, but I have been hearing quite a lot of bad stories about them (breaking).

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My Renovo R1 wooden bike project

Check it out: the most amazing vintage Colnago, Merckx and Pinarello collection

very nice

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My bikes:-
- 2011 Boardman MTB Pro HT-10.22kg
- 2011 Lapierre DH 920-17kg

Carbon - Lightens your bike and your wallet
OCBD - Obsessive Compulsive Biking Disorder

Very nice - is the quoted weight without pedals and bottle cages?

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Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted counts.

Can just add another "very nice"!!

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ciclismo-espresso.com

I have two sets of the Reynolds KOM rims, and out of both I have only snapped one spoke out of thousands of miles on both. I check spoke tension about once a week or so(matters on mileage) and have them trued accordingly, properly inflate tires before every ride and try to be conscious of their care, as I do with all my wheels. I have heard the horrendous stories on rim failure but they would not have made them as long as they have if it was a flawed product. Reynolds puts out quality, dependable products

Yes I weigh all my bikes without cages and pedals, I use Speedplay Ti pedals with Ti bolts and Alu plates and sanded down Cinelli Carbon cages, total 173 grams. I do this because most manufacturers weigh their bikes accordingly and I am comparing my tuned bikes to their "stock" bikes.

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Felt DA(RIP), Look 595, Merlin CR Works, Calfee Tetra Pro, Moots Vamoots

LiveFastRideHard:
I agree that the Merlin CR Works is a real gem. For stiffness, comfort, and great handling, it can't be beat (as per my previous post, I'm just sad that ABG has become so desperate, that the customer support has fallen off). I still love the virtues of Ti, even though my race day steed is a Scott Addict (a little lighter and quicker). I think there will always be a place for Ti bikes.

I concur, both of my race day bikes are carbon and my next two bikes will also be carbon(Guru Photon, Scott Plasma Premium), but there will always be a spot in my stable for at least one or two Ti bikes. I ride this Merlin as my winter/bad weather bike and could not ask for a better bike. That is sad about ABG and their fall from grace but I bought this frame second-hand and fortunately won't have to worry about the cops showing up at my door!

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Felt DA(RIP), Look 595, Merlin CR Works, Calfee Tetra Pro, Moots Vamoots

Not sure exactly what that means but Merlin XLMs are being produced here in the next few weeks...

If you check the archives you will see the thread that me and RowdySluggins are referencing. A fan of their product though!!

Just got some new Zipp 303s and love the look, had to change the brakes to Ciamillo Negative GSL's for clearance due to 27mm rim width but well worth the trouble.

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Felt DA(RIP), Look 595, Merlin CR Works, Calfee Tetra Pro, Moots Vamoots