You have a choice of 2 Merlins - which would you choose and

tonybrown5 · May 19, 2018

First up is a 93 with full m900 xtr, wtb speedmaster cantis and hugi hubs. I tiny little dying in the down tube.

2nd is a later xlm model with full m950 or 952 group and rock shocks sids.

Both bikes within $100 dollars of each other.

ishaw · May 19, 2018

Re:

Xlm. M900 is rubbish compared to m95x or even xt or stx imho. Looks nice but shifting is terrible.

elite504 · May 19, 2018

Re:

^^ Shouldn't be unless the mech pivots are worn. And M950 f/mechs can be terrible, esp in 34.9 guise, as the slop has the mech hitting the seat tube before the stops. M953 was much better.

ANyhoo.... earlier on for me.

tintin40 · May 19, 2018

The rigid bike every time. Looks like a proper mtb

ishaw · May 19, 2018

Re:

It's not the m900 mechs that are crap, it's the shifters. Truly awful, not worth the premium price they command. I've had various nos and used sets and all have been as bad as each other.

M953 was the best of the m95x front mechs for sure.

troje · May 19, 2018

Re:

The 93 for the eye, the XLM for the ride. The 93 looks fantastic, I would go for that one. I’m not looking for the quickest bike, my modern bike is made for that. Too bad about the little dent though.

tonybrown5 · May 19, 2018

Out of interest what year would the xlm be from and would there be much difference grange wise between the 2?

scant · May 19, 2018

do you want to ride 1 of them? the xlm looks bigger? if so, choose whichever fits you the best

player · May 19, 2018

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XLM for me and agree with ishaw regarding the M900 shifters and certainly more usable........it'll brake better too

ishaw · May 19, 2018

Re:

Aside from my m900 issues, I'd go for the xlm because it will be more adaptable and easier to change. If you got the older one, it looks to have a 1 inch steerer, which will limit your choice of headset and forks in future. Cable runs on canti frames often make converting to vs a little more painful due to the positioning of the cable stops.

Size is quite key. As is previous use. Which looks to have had the harder life? Titanium isn't indestructible, and while it can be repaired, it's very expensive as I've recently found.

Both are nice bikes by the way, nice to have such a dilemma.

You have a choice of 2 Merlins - which would you choose and

tonybrown5

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