So for those helping out Mike, help me out
 

My bike is now four years old and is beginning to shows signs of wear after about 20,000 miles.

Hence, without wife knowing, I may be saving up for bits and pieces.

I'm looking at the Ghiasallo fram by Litespeed, but that's common, even if it is light.

What about the Lynskey?

http://lynskeyperformance.com/minisite/main.html

I'm going with ceramic ball bearing but haven't determined crank?

Forks? Anybody go ideas?

I'm going to get some kickass wheelsets.

Give me some good options.

I'll go with a carbon fiber seat.

I don't know between Shimano, Campy which is heavier or top of the line SRAM.

The Ksyrium stainless are very popular out here as light and dependable.

http://www.mavic.com/ewb_pages/p/pro...ute&annee=2007

Abotu groupos, I believe the SRAM Force is the lightest. Although SRAM will be coming out with a new groupo supposedly better than Force in a few months.

I'll be getting Lew Racing wheels, both the sew ups for races and the not yet released clinchers which will weight less than 1000 grams.

I don't know enough about cycling to offer help to anyone. I bought a Bianchi solely because it's Italian.

http://www.lewracing.com/wheels.html

how much do those run?

It's a recognized brand, a safe choice. They were exclusively aluminum for a long time, but broke down by producing some good carbon fiber frames.

I'll probably start to get more into all the cycling technology the more I ride, but for now, I use cycling as a way to get back into shape. For now, I'm content to just ride for the sake of exercise.

We can't help you out because you like custom expensive stuff that none of us can afford, and we have never heard of.

Maybe we could make this a group learning project.

I will look at the two frames, the Litespeed Ghiasallo or one of the Lynskeys which my bike guy likes, and then get a list of other componetry we need, make certain it's compatible and find ways to buy it cheaply. It would be fun to build up a nice bike with the finest stuff at the cheapest price.

I don't know enough and it could take up to a year to complete it.

For example, of the levels, which do you think would work best, the Level 3 or Level 4?

http://lynskeyperformance.com/minisite/main.html

Here is the geometry and tech stuff for the Level 4 frame.

http://lynskeyperformance.com/minisite/main.html

I'll the Litespeed Ghiasallo stuff.

My friend has a Merlin titanium. Apparently there are people who are Merlin snobs.