Jim Merz, left, and Mark DiNucci leave Merz's shop in NW Portland after a day of frame building. This photo was probably taken in 1980 or '81. I remember a frame was going for $700 at the time. Merz frames were so nice back then. Jim was hired by Specialized to design their bikes, and DiNucci followed him to the California company not long after. These two Portlanders had a huge influence on the bicycle industry world-wide. Merz's bike is built up with a full-on Dura-Ace AX group. Note the aero brake levers. What amazes me is the Dyna-Drive pedals didn't also catch on. They were brilliant!