The other day we were talking with Troy Merkle to see what was new with him for 2014 and it turns out the The Daily Grind‘s designated free coasting machine had just built himself up a fresh setup for the new year. We figured it was a good time to do a quick bike check to get a closer look at this dialed unit and find out what else is going on in Troy’s world these days! Let’s take a look!
Name: Troy Merkle
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Sponsors: The Daily Grind
Years riding: 15
Frame: Stolen Legion Team Frame 20.6
Bars: Daily Grind Century Bars
Fork: Animal Barret
Stem: Giant Method
Grips: ODI longnecks
Headset: Cult
Cranks: Mosh Digital 2
Pedals: Stolen Thermalite
Chain: Cult
Sprocket: Prototype Daily Grind Millenium
Seat / Post / Clamp: Primo Padded pivotal seat and Season pivotal post
Front Wheel / Tire: Daily Grind front hub laced to a Odyssey midway rim and a 2.3 Stolen Joint Tire
Rear Wheel / Tire: Ezra Karl Poynter Coaster laced to a Odyssey midway rim and a 2.2 Stolen Joint Tire
Pegs: Four Daily Grind prototype steel pegs
Hub Guards: 4140 Daily Grind Pegs on all fours
Brakes? No Brakes
Modifications: I cut my bars down to about 26″ and I doubled up on rim strips.
What’s the newest part on your bike?
The frame, pedals, and tires were the latest additions.
What’s the oldest part on your bike?
My Season Pivotal post. Its about 6-7 years old.
What do you usually go through the fastest?
I’d say tires, tubes, and chains.
So it looks like you have had a bunch of changes to your bike since the last time we caught up. Was it just time to make some changes for 2014?
Yep, Just wanted to get my bike dialed in and looking good. I was on a two week work trip and when I returned I had all sorts of new parts waiting for me and built up my new bike.
I know you have always been killing it with a free coaster and it looks like you’re running the EZRA coaster these days. How is that one treating you?
I’m into it for sure. Its the best feeling coaster I’ve ridden. My friend won it in a raffle at a flatland jam we went to. After explaining to him how the good the red would look on my bike he made me a deal on it. I think the hub found me.
What do you think about Freecoasters these days? There are a lot of options out there. Is there one you want to try in the future or one that isn’t out that you are excited for?
I’m pumped on the free-coaster gaining popularity. Back in the day I always assumed the hub would be more popular the more reliable it became. The hub has progressed and so has the way people use them. I’m almost 10 years on a coaster. So I am definitely a lifer.
How are things going with The Daily Grind these days? Do you have any trips or cool projects you are working on with Gremlin for 2014?
The Daily Grind is all sorts of awesome right now. Gremlin has been real busy and constantly pushing things forward. We’ve got some new products in the works, new apparel, and officially filming for a new team DVD. As far as trips. We are always brainstorming and trying to plan trips with as many DG guys as we can.
Any other sponsor news you can tell us about?
Just been doing my thing for the DG. I’ve had a couple talks with a few people but nothing that’s grown into anything serious. I’d love the opportunity to ride and represent a company in exchange for more time on my pedals. However, Gremlin and the rest of the DG guys keep me busy and on my toes regardless.
It seems like you’re always staying busy with videos. What are you working on these days? When can we expect another video you produced to pop up?
Im always trying to ride well, film, be productive. At the moment I’m working on a video part for our next DG DVD which well be filmed all SD.
Can we expect another Troy Merkle edit some time soon?
I hope so. I’ve been working a lot and riding a lot less than I ever have in my life but also loving and putting my time to ride to good use.
What are your plans for 2014? Anything big you are looking forward to or would really like to make happen?
I just plan on traveling, riding, shooting photos, and seeing friends and family as much as often.
Outside of that, what else is new? Any new hobbies keeping your busy or anything?
Busy with work. Tomorrow I fly out to New Jersey for a week and a half of House Moving. I will be in Ohio for about 5 days than fly out to San Francisco to ride and film with DG teammate Eric Mesta for a week and a half. When I am home and have free time I enjoy working on my house, making things, collecting old objects, and recently been doing some metal sculpture stuff.
How can people keep up with you these days?
I am into instagram. @TroyMerkle
Do you have any shout outs, thanks or last words?
Thanks to all my friends and family, Gremlin at DG, Dave at Stolen, Mike at Whittman’s Bike Shop in Dayton, and everyone out there who has ever been nice to me.
