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@scarlet
Some previous rides
I've been very lucky to have owned or ridden some nice bikes over the years, but these are the ones I have been riding most during my "long" years - and hence the ones that inform the project the most.
Merlin CR works
This has been my dry-weather, best summer bike for a few years. I've done a few 200kms on it, and I have really liked riding it; it feels light and efficient, handles well, climbs well, stable downhill. It built into a ~7.5kg bike. The geo is really nice, its a large, top tube 575, head angle 74, seat 73. I'd probably choose a head angle of 72-73 for longer distances; after 12 hours, I value slow, steady handling to match my progress!
However, it has some limitations: I can't quite squeeze in 28mm tyres, and 25mm tyres aren't enough. There's no option for 'guards, although with these carbon rims, the brakes in the wet aren't inspiring. This is probably as much to do with the rims, but its enough to persuade me that the new bike has to have discs and clearance for much wider rubber; 30mm minimum.
Aesthetically, this bike does not wear carradice well; Its a lightweight summer ride for upto 200k on dry days. As a result, this frame is up for sale, sadly (I'm up against a 1-in, 1-out policy).
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