Budget Built (sort of) - Rock Lobster - Update on p6
The Northern Monkey
Posts: 19,174
Am in the process of building up a Rock Lobster frame... I don't have a budget, but its 'cheap as possible'.
Currently, the spend is at £460 and I have the following, about 95% there I reckon!
Frame: Merlin Rock Lobster
Forks: 2004 Marzocchi Bomber MX Comp 105mm
Groupset: Brand new Deore 10sp groupset (Gears, cranks, brakes and wheelset)
Wheels: Merlin Handbuilt Shimano 495 Disc Hubs, Sun Equalizer rims and DB spokes.
Seatpost: included with frame
Bars: Easton EA30
Stem: Easton Havoc (from the spare parts bin)
Saddle: Spare parts bin
As some of you may have noticed, I have a spare wheelset so the Shimano Deore wheels will be going in the classifieds if a mate doesn't want them.
Pics so far - Haven't had time to unpack the groupset yet!!
Frame:
Forks:
Merlin Handbuilt Wheels:
Full Deore groupset:
The plan is to build it up and use it over winter, then next spring/summer the frame will be going off to Argos Cycles for a full paint restoration.
So basically i'll have an 853 Reynolds framed HT with a full deore groupset and handbuilt wheel for what will essentially be sub £400 once i'm done
Currently, the spend is at £460 and I have the following, about 95% there I reckon!
Frame: Merlin Rock Lobster
Forks: 2004 Marzocchi Bomber MX Comp 105mm
Groupset: Brand new Deore 10sp groupset (Gears, cranks, brakes and wheelset)
Wheels: Merlin Handbuilt Shimano 495 Disc Hubs, Sun Equalizer rims and DB spokes.
Seatpost: included with frame
Bars: Easton EA30
Stem: Easton Havoc (from the spare parts bin)
Saddle: Spare parts bin
As some of you may have noticed, I have a spare wheelset so the Shimano Deore wheels will be going in the classifieds if a mate doesn't want them.
Pics so far - Haven't had time to unpack the groupset yet!!
Frame:
Forks:
Merlin Handbuilt Wheels:
Full Deore groupset:
The plan is to build it up and use it over winter, then next spring/summer the frame will be going off to Argos Cycles for a full paint restoration.
So basically i'll have an 853 Reynolds framed HT with a full deore groupset and handbuilt wheel for what will essentially be sub £400 once i'm done
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Comments
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Looks familiar!0
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hehe... really happy with the frame, managed to get a good look over it an it'll be spot on for winter!
Those wheels are a steal too... much much lighter than my Superstar DH set!0 -
That would probably be because they're XC wheels
cool build anyway, i always liked those rock lobsters, shame they stopped making them...0 -
Massively jealous. I really wanted that frame. Just had so much money going out lately it's scary. At least I know it went to someone else who will appreciate it.0
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I've been looking at the reduced frames on Merlin website for ages! Was one of the 1st bikes I saw on here where I signed up and always wanted one!
Did take me a while to buy it mind... I was gonna get new forks for the Canyon, but I just couldn't let this go!0 -
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Ooi, do you have any scales to give some actuals on both those sets of wheels?0
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I had one of those Lobsters ages back - I liked it but snapped the gear hanger off on a stray branch. Replace it with a cove handjob (which I preferred to be honest)Closet jockey wheel pimp whore.0
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You do realise I'm going to have to sing iraq lobster at you when you're out on it, looks like it will be a lovely build though for that price0
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As you were, nothing too see here, no accidental double post.......move it..move it..move it0
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Will look forward to the serenade lol.
I had a Steel Orange P7 a while back and it was one of my favourite HT's, but the frame was over 6lb!paul.skibum wrote:I had one of those Lobsters ages back - I liked it but snapped the gear hanger off on a stray branch. Replace it with a cove handjob (which I preferred to be honest)
Been wanting to get back on a steel HT for a while!0 -
Can't really argue with this review either!
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -853-10644
And i've got the same fork too 0 -
My new Ragley Bagger frame is about 6lb :roll: Though it is going to be a stupid buildThe Northern Monkey wrote:Will look forward to the serenade lol.
I had a Steel Orange P7 a while back and it was one of my favourite HT's, but the frame was over 6lb!paul.skibum wrote:I had one of those Lobsters ages back - I liked it but snapped the gear hanger off on a stray branch. Replace it with a cove handjob (which I preferred to be honest)
Been wanting to get back on a steel HT for a while! 0 -
Love these frames this is going to be a great build!0
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Cheers
Not got round to putting this together yet, been away for the weekend so everything is still in boxes!0 -
Crankset fitted..
Hopefully the headset should arrive tomorrow so I can at least get the chassis rolling!0 -
nice looking frame that, sounds like s good classic style build too!!
am sure you already know this but just incase, you can up the travel on the bombers by15mm to 120mm, internal spacer on one of the legs, cant remember which leg it was as did mine a few years back now,Timmo.
After all, I am Cornish!
http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends! Yes, I Am a bike tart!
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#162974810 -
Cheers! Should be no nonsense fun lol! Hoping to do some longer XC events on it, Wentwood Enduro next March for starters!
Ahh I didn't know that actually! may have a play, although reviews suggest it handles much better at 100mm!0 -
Good choice!
I shall keep an eye on this build, enjoy it.0 -
Looking like a bit of a franken-bike at the mo, but the build is going ok. Used about 50mm headset spacers to get the stem on tight, can't be arsed cutting the steerer yet!
Annoyingly, the groupset came with the wrong type of front mech as it sits too high and fowls on one of the bottle bosses. Luckily its low enough to work so will do for now!0 -
Sounds like a pretty poultry issue to meThe Northern Monkey wrote:Annoyingly, the groupset came with the wrong type of front mech as it sits too high and fowls on one of the bottle bosses. Luckily its low enough to work so will do for now! 0 -
Does say conventional, bummer. But I'd keep it new and ring merlin up.0
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Aye tis a bit of a pain... tbh I bought the groupset before I got the frame lol! Knew there would be something that doesn't fit!
Will pop them an email and keep my fingers crossed, they have the 10sp xt mech for £20 so if they'll take if back and charge a tenner or something I'll be happy!0 -
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Looking forward to seeing this finished. 0
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So'm I! lol.
Probably done till next week now though, got family over at the weekend and riding tomorrow so not gonna have chance!0 -
That looks a lot like my old frame. Nice to see you have kept the ratty EBC sticker
Did you get it from a guy in Northamptonshire?
Was a great bike bike, I ran it with 115mm Reba SLs up front and a 90mm stem.Trek EX8
Ragley Piglet
Maverick Species I0
