Merlin Titanium XLM - New Pride and Joy!

[Carge]

I am now the fortunate owner of a Merlin Ti/XLM
Recently owned/built by Wadsy, it appears to in between a Ti and an XLM...
Lighter than a Ti - but not having the right size stays for an XLM??
Details here http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=247772

Frame: MERLIN XLM 1997 15"
Fork: SID SL

Headset: Chris King
Stem: Syntace F99
Handlebar: USE Atom
Grips: GripShift

Brakes: Ritchey V's
Brake Pads: Red ones
Brake Cables: Shimano XT
Brake Levers: Pauls Components Brake Levers

Shifters: Gripshift XRay
Front Derailleur: XTR M900
Rear Derailleur: XTR M900
Derailleur Cables:
Cassette: XTR M950
Chain: KMC 9SL
Cranks: Tune Bigfoot
Crank Bolts: SRP
Chainrings: Syncros
Chainring bolts: SRP
Bottom Bracket: Hope Ti
Pedals: Crank Bros EggBeaters

Hub Skewers: Hadley Racing Ti
Rims: Mavis X517
Hubs: Hope
Nipples: Alu
Spokes: DT double butted
Tyres: Continental Twister Supersonic
Tubes: Continental Supersonic

Saddle: Selle Italia SLR
Seatpost: Syntace P6 Carbon
Seatpost Binder: N/A

Weight: 8.75kg, 19.25lbs

 

[Carge]

Cranks.....

 

[chefmiguel]

Great bike, nice build.

 

[Bimdapogs]

Could be a Ti. If that's the original tubing decal, an XLM would say Double Butted, I think..

A gorgeous bike either way! Congrats!

 

[Carge]

Different Brake levers on the way... Paul Component V Levers from Sinnerman.

First outing at Swinley on this was just a joy!

 

[kiwideturin]

Difference between a Mountain and an XLM is the weight, 350/400g less on the XLM (for the same frame's size).
I think the SID SL is too long for your frame Perhaps a Judy or a 98 SID woulb match better :?:

 

[Carge]

According to the previous owner... it weighs just under 3.0lb
And according to the Merlin catalogue - the 15" XLM is 2.76lb and the Mountain is 3.25lb - you tell me

Edit....
Wadsy has confirmed bare frame as being 1379g - which is 3.04lb

 

[unclechet]

Beautiful machine!

 

[Carge]

Brake levers changed to ... Pauls Components Brake Levers
Cheers Sinnerman!

 

[Carge]

I'm taking a slightly different direction with this now.
I want this to be ever so rideable, therefore more if a retro-mod approach.

Deal has been done on some Tune hubbed, Stans 355 wheels, which will run tubeless Rocket Rons.
The SIDs are staying, whilst they may look long, they give 80mm travel and I don't want less than that.

There may be developments on the seatpost front too