Marin, Orange, or Merlin?

[Mikey08]

Hi all. I got this from a mate. It had been in his shed for donkeys and it looks like it could be a mid 90's marin but has no decals. It has STX mechs and Exage hubs. Can anyone help me to identify this bike?

 

[2manyoranges]

Re:

That looks very much like a Marin Rocky Ridge or related model - around 92/3 - RR had black stem etc. Can you take a photo of the serial number on the BB?
Thanks
Tim

 

[Mikey08]

Re:

Hi Tim. Thanks for the reply. The serial is AT5M2868

 

[simcfarlane]

Re: Is this a Marin?

I don't think it is a Marin.

Marin run the 2 gear cables under the down tube... just a single brake cable along the top tube.

Looks like an Orange to me?

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=335815

 

[Mikey08]

Re:

I had thought Orange too, all the cable routing matches as does the squareish profile of the chainstays. But, the one and only difference is that the downtube is thicker than the toptube. On the orange frames the top and downtubes are the same diameter. At least in the photos i have googled, im no expert on old orange frames (really wanted a P7 back in the day though!).

Did Orange ever make a ally frame with a fat downtube?

 

[Mikey08]

Re:

PS: The purple rims remind me of my first proper mtb. It was a Sarcen, Purple Campag rims on Pace hubs, Cook Bros cranks, Girvin flex stem... Memories!

Also I just emailed a company about new wheels for a 99 kona project i have going and got referred to their 'kids wheels' section!

Anyway, more pics of the mystery bike...

 

[Mikey08]

Re:

I think its a Merlin Malt 2. Looks very similar anyway. Emailed the frame number to them to see if they know ...

 

[2manyoranges]

drat yes I had forgotten about the two gear cable ferrules on the down tube....not Marin RR then...

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=351899

and serial number not in the O2 orange format....