{"id":926568,"date":"2026-10-09T13:30:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T13:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/926568\/"},"modified":"2026-10-09T13:30:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T13:30:15","slug":"readers-rig-mers-1996-dean-colonel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/926568\/","title":{"rendered":"Reader’s Rig: Mer’s 1996 DEAN Colonel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our Reader\u2019s Rig of the week comes from Mer in Arkansas, who shares the 1996 DEAN Colonel she bought for $200 and thoughtfully rebuilt into a showstopper that balances budget-friendly and boutique bits. Meet Mer and see her DEAN here\u2026<\/p>\n

Words by Mer Wilder<\/a>, photos by Jason B.<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019m Mer (pronounced MUR), from a little bit of everywhere, and I currently call Northwest Arkansas home. I work in tourism, but bikes have been a constant for me. I started volunteering in bike kitchens back in the aughts, became a mechanic, worked my way up to head tech, and eventually owned a few bike businesses. I\u2019ve spent many years around bikes, but I\u2019m still happiest when I\u2019m learning something new, loading one up, and heading out. Here in NWA, I help organize the cycling group Dilly Dally<\/a>, where we mostly eat hot dogs, play in the creek, sleep on the ground, and sometimes ride bikes.<\/p>\n

\"1996<\/a><\/p>\n

When I first got into the bike business, I was broke. Like, really broke. I was always enamored by the custom builds my coworkers were putting together, complete with White Industries parts and all sorts of fancy bits I definitely couldn\u2019t afford. I dreamed of building something of my own, but there was always a more responsible place for my money, like feeding the cat (my numero uno handsome man, Bean).<\/p>\n

\"1996<\/a>
\n\"1996<\/a><\/p>\n

Eventually, I reached a point in adulthood where I felt like I could actually spend some money on a bike. Naturally, I went all in\u2026 on a budget. Our local bike nonprofit, Pedal It Forward, originally received the frame as a donation. I bought it from them mostly complete for $200. The rims were cracked, but those XTR M950 hubs are worth their weight in gold, so I chopped them out and laced them up to a set of Velocity Cliffhangers. That also let me run tubeless tires, which is a nice bonus because this bike is a great little trail ripper, and the Ozarks aren\u2019t exactly gentle on tires.<\/p>\n

Mer\u2019s 1996 DEAL Colonel Build<\/p>\n

Frame: 1996 DEAN Colonel
\nFork: Surly
\nRims: 26\u201d Velocity Cliffhanger
\nHubs: Shimano XTR M950
\nTires: MAXXIS Icons
\nHandlebars: Stridsland Bullship Bar
\nHeadset: Cane Creek
\nCrankset: Paul 100%
\nPedals: MKS Gamma
\nCassette: Microshift Advent MX CS-EG116 11-50
\nDerailleur(s): Microshift Advent MX Pro RD-M7015M
\nBrakes: Avid SD 3.0 L pulling Avid Speed
\nShifter(s): Microshift Advent MX SL-M7115-R
\nSaddle: Cambium C19 Carved
\nSeatpost: Raceface XY
\nOther accessories: Izzoio Cycle\u2019s (Flower Holder) Stem Cap, Dark Realm Top Tube Protector, King Cage<\/p>\n

\"1996<\/a><\/p>\n

Everything else is a bit of a menagerie: things I\u2019ve collected in the parts bin over the years, along with a few quality budget parts I wanted to try, including the MX group. It\u2019s not the fanciest bike I\u2019ve ever built, but it might be one of the most fun. As far as the photos\u2026 Lucas wasn\u2019t overly specific when he said \u201c10-15 high-resolution shots of your bike,\u201d and my wife is a great model. And if you\u2019re ever in Northwest Arkansas, join a Dilly Dally. It\u2019ll be fun, probably!<\/p>\n

\"1996<\/a>
\n\"1996<\/a><\/p>\n

You can see more from Mer on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Send Us Your Bikepacking Rig<\/p>\n

Use the form below to submit your bikepacking rig. We\u2019ll choose one per week to feature in a Reader\u2019s Rig Dispatch and on Instagram. To enter, email us your best photo of the bike (preferably at a 90\u00b0 angle), your Instagram username (optional), and a short description of you and your rig. If your bike is selected, we\u2019ll need a total of five photos and a little bit more info. <\/p>\n

Further Reading<\/p>\n

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info…<\/p>\n

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Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.<\/p>\n