Merlin XLM 1995 Titanium Project

[Al.Lugtenburg]

Here is my 1995 Merlin XLM build thread

Frame is from 1995 and the original XTR M900 group, Mavic rims and Tioga tires were all NIB or NOS. Parts came from all over the world.

Portrait
1995 Merlin XLM Ti frame 17.5", unrestored
RockShox Mag-21 SL Ti
Chris King headset
Original titanium Merlin handlebar, Ibis stem and Syncros seatpost
All Shimano XTR M900 group
SPD PD-M747 pedals
Jagwire Ice Gray cable kits
Onza Chill Pills cable hanger
John Tomac ATI clear grips
Onza Stogies bar ends
Merlin seatpost clamp
Selle Italia Flite Milano Ti saddle
Silca Especial Edition Ti bottle cages
Mavic 230 SBP rims
DT-Swiss Competition spokes and nipples
Tioga Psycho Butterscotch 26 x 1.95 tires
At the end: 23 pounds (10.4 Kg)

First ride by May 2024.

Every part was chosen to fit the specific build and colors scheme I wanted. All of them have a purpose and a meaning. All details were carefully covered.

Small video here: FB Merlin Titanium Bikes.

The first XLM prototype review was published in 1993 by Mountain Bike Action magazine as a bike not intended for the market, it was too expensive, but in 1995 the frame was already listed at the Merlin Metalworks catalog with Extralight decals. The decals changed to XLM within the same year.

More details on XLM Merlin’s serial numbers and years here: Merlin XLM a history to be completed.

I started MTB riding, then racing, with the age of 38 to avoid a knee surgery, the year was 1992. At my 70’s, I’ve been able to finish the build of my near 30 years old Merlin. We’re both original and ready to go. Ok, to be honest, we both have a few new titanium bolts.

Thanks to all that, in any way, helped with it.

Hope you enjoy the build,

Al (Alexandre)

 

[ferrus]

That is superb, I love it!

 

[kafer-k]

Absolutely stunning!

 

[Hotwheels.]

What is the weight of this stunning machine?

 

[Al.Lugtenburg]

What is the weight of this stunning machine?

10.48 Kg with pedals

 

[Frank69]

Hi Alexandre;
This is for sure one of the nicest and most tasteful builds I‘ve seen. Absolutely stunning.
Perfect choice of parts!!!
XTR 900 all around… what else. Couldn’t be better…
Mag 21 SL TI… restored… how did you get the color??? There are so many threads here and it seems nearly impossible to hit the button like this (if you don’t do it the old way: high polishing and clear coat with honey candy… which will look great until the green comes back in a couple of years)
Amber Tioga Psycho tyres… where did you get these??? Impossible to find!!!
Brown Flite and clear ATI Tomac grips… wow
Syncros TI post… what else???
Ibis TI stem… 100% fit
Merlin TI bar… is it real???
747 pedals… of course…

So… we are as near to perfection as it can be in my opinion. Great, great, GREAT Job

Three things I did notice:
The seat post clam is not original. The frame had a tube like titanium clamp as you will know…
I‘ve never seen any XLM with a little „Fat Chance“ like roller on the seat tube to redirect the cable to use a down pull front derailleur…
Has this been put on later or was the frame built like this?
The titanium looks very shiny, almost like polished… most Merlins I know are a bit more „brushed“

This is not criticism! The build is hyper clean with extreme attention to the smallest detail (golden ventile caps, golden bar plugs…)
It’s only out of interest…

Best Regards
Frank

 

[biker23]

@Al.Lugtenburg :
Your Merlin XLM looks stunning & superb indeed!
Very classy and tasteful build!
Très beau!

 

[Al.Lugtenburg]

Hi Alexandre;
This is for sure one of the nicest and most tasteful builds I‘ve seen. Absolutely stunning.
Perfect choice of parts!!!
XTR 900 all around… what else. Couldn’t be better…
Mag 21 SL TI… restored… how did you get the color??? There are so many threads here and it seems nearly impossible to hit the button like this (if you don’t do it the old way: high polishing and clear coat with honey candy… which will look great until the green comes back in a couple of years)
Amber Tioga Psycho tyres… where did you get these??? Impossible to find!!!
Brown Flite and clear ATI Tomac grips… wow
Syncros TI post… what else???
Ibis TI stem… 100% fit
Merlin TI bar… is it real???
747 pedals… of course…

So… we are as near to perfection as it can be in my opinion. Great, great, GREAT Job

Three things I did notice:
The seat post clam is not original. The frame had a tube like titanium clamp as you will know…
I‘ve never seen any XLM with a little „Fat Chance“ like roller on the seat tube to redirect the cable to use a down pull front derailleur…
Has this been put on later or was the frame built like this?
The titanium looks very shiny, almost like polished… most Merlins I know are a bit more „brushed“

This is not criticism! The build is hyper clean with extreme attention to the smallest detail (golden ventile caps, golden bar plugs…)
It’s only out of interest…

Best Regards
Frank

Hi Frank,

Thanks for your comments, I think the same

Lets go one by one, the Mag 21 SL Ti was restored by Jassa Bikes, he's the best and restore these Shox for a long long time. He doesn't tell us how he does but he found a formula that keeps this color for ever, this one will not fade to green as the originals. As he says he tried a few years before matching the exact original color in a way that it will not lost its gold bright color. I truly hope so, lol, but I have seem some of his previous work and they all looks like new.

To find the Tioga tires and a few other iconic parts was "easy", just log everyday for 3 / 4 years on eBay, FB, Retrobike, Insta, Pinkbike, Craiglist, other countries eBay, Germany sites, UK sites, US sites, more eBay from other countries and sellers that don't ship to you, chats, friends, bother a lot of people, get a few jokes for replying to 5 years old threads, find unknown vintage sellers and then buy fast and first than everyone else in the world. Loose some. That's it, keep secret !

Ahhh, THE Ti Merlin bar, original and unrestored - THAT was hard !! And the Ibis stem, just the best of all times, that was lucky. I could list one by one and tell how long it took and from whom I bought.

Now the cons:
I have the original Ti post clamp but it's heavier and somehow gross for this build. I bought an actual Merlin post clamp anodized gold, but it was not well done, I may change it. The gold anodization is faded, it was supposed to match the CK headset.

The seat tube pulley is original, it's there to allow the use a down pull front derailleur. I could use either top or down pull FD but I decided to use what I think it was in the mind of the frame builder.

The frame was not polished it's really shine and matches with the "mirror" shine of the Ibis stem. It have some light scratches at the chainstays and they look exactly as the surface of the tubes. The frame is unrestored and was bought from the second owner that is friend with the first.

Best regards,
Alexandre

 

[Frank69]

Wow…
Who and where is Jessa bike???
I need that contact.
Yes… that’s how it works… hunting for 3 - 4 years…
Cudos for not refurbishing the frame. Is has some kind of special beauty with some light superficial scratches and signs of use. Shows love and history!
Best Regards
Frank

 

[Al.Lugtenburg]

Wow…
Who and where is Jessa bike???
I need that contact.
Yes… that’s how it works… hunting for 3 - 4 years…
Cudos for not refurbishing the frame. Is has some kind of special beauty with some light superficial scratches and signs of use. Shows love and history!
Best Regards
Frank

You can find Jassa Bikes on Instagram: Jassa Bikes

Agree with you about the frame, tells it’s history.

Keep in touch, don’t forget the serial numbers!

Best regards,