Objects D'Art

[Tom Kunich]

I have to say that this Merlin is the best looking bike I've had in a very long time. Some of the Colnago's I had no doubt looked as good, but it is pretty difficult to beat polished Titanium. I want to see what it weighs when finished since at the moment it appears to be lighter than the others. But I am leaving heavier than necessary components on it such as a Selle Bassano Vuelta saddle and the aluminum steering tube Profile Designs carbon fork. But I can change those at any time.

I was careful to watch my heart rate on yesterday's climbing ride and it never got out of hand like it was doing with the standard cranks. The next attempt will be the north side of Palomares again since I had to stop twice on that climb the last time with the standard crank. But because of the road work in Niles Canyon I will then have to turn around and reclimb Palomares from the south side and double my climbing. The way I felt on Sunday before and Thursday of last week, I don't think that will be a problem but it still remains to be seen. On the north side there is only a constant climb whereas on the south side there is a lot of up and down and up again after the initial steep climb. So you show more climbing than the actual height on the south side whereas from the north you only have the 100 foot starting area and the 900 foot climb to the 1000 foot peak. Of course there are several other climbs to get there. Or back.