1996 Merlin XLM

A quick build this one as It's just a parts transplant from my Raleigh Ti, so apologies in advance if your looking for a long and epic build thread .

Its taken me over three years to get to this stage though as that's how long I've been searching for a XLM in the right size. I had the build in my head and started gathering the various parts and after a year only needed wheels, a BB and brakes. Then the Raleigh appeared on ebay and I bought it so that my box of parts could be used while the search for a XLM continued...

Fast forward almost two years and a XLM the same size as my old Merlin Mountain appeared on here. It had a dent on the seat tube which probably explained the reasonable asking price but still, it was a XLM from '97 and one of the last true Merlins before the company was sold. PM's were exchanged with the seller and a deal was done!

I had to wait a few weeks for the seller to get back from his holidays but it finally arrived on Monday and I can now furnish this thread with some pictures -

This is how the frame arrived. Can't fault the packaging.








Finally unwrapped and time to start refinishing it with a scotchbrite pad -




And finally built up with some pics from the first ride -








Weld porn -






And a close-up of the dent in the seat tube -




My initial plan was to remove the dent by getting a long piece of 27.2 tube and pressing it out from the inside but I then remembered that XLM's have a shimmed seat tube rendering that idea useless. It doesn't detract from the ride so I guess I'll live with it.

The spec as it sits is as follows.

Frame: Merlin XLM '97
Fork: Pace RC36 Pro Class
Headset: Chris King
Stem: Pace RC45
Handlebar: USE Atom Carbon Riser
Grips: ODI Attack
Brakes: XTR M951
Shifters: XTR M952 9sp
Front Derailleur: XTR M951
Rear Derailleur: XTR M950
Cassette: XT M770
Chain: KMC X9 Gold
Cranks: Middleburn RS3
Crank Bolts: Titanium
Chainrings: Pace Extruder Groove
Bottom Bracket: Hope Titanium
Pedals: XT M730
Hub Skewers: X-Lite
Rims: Mavic 217
Hubs: Hope Titanium
Tyres: Panaracer Fire XC 2.1
Saddle: Flite Titanium
Seatpost: Syncros Titanium

Thanks for reading and comments always welcome .

Re: 1997 Merlin XLM

maybe a good welder could tig some wire into the dent and you could smooth it out, can you gas weld titanium , braze some rod im sure a frame builder could srt it out for you. shame loverly bike either way

Re:

look at the repaired ibis mojo titanium frame,,that feller can repair anything has tools and deff skills to sort your out feller,,,

Re: 1997 Merlin XLM

Sending it off to Steve Potts is maybe a bit extreme but filling the dent with weld might be an option. I'll look into it and see if there are any ti welders local to me. Cheers for the suggestion.

Re:

I raided the parts bin and made a few changes. '97 SID's, 1st gen Crossmax, Syncros stem and some J&L titanium bars. Over a pound lighter than previously and now tipping the scales at just under 22lb .

Re: 1997 Merlin XLM

Beautiful bike. I have a 1991 Merlin and love it for all day exploring type rides. It's built up with mainly age specific parts but keep on thinking about using more modern kit on it.

Re: 1997 Merlin XLM

I decided to go back to the RC36's and swapped out the Middleburn RS3's and Pace rings with a set of gun metal Turbines and RF rings -

Re:

Lovely

Re:

Had my merlin xlm back from refinishing a while now, really must get on with it.
Space is becoming a problem these days unfortunately.

Yours looks lovely

Re:

Yum, but it needs more ano!