"product strengths"?! - Bought 19 years ago..yes I did say 19 years ago... with fox forks and the latest groupset it feels, rides, and performs as good as anything you can buy today. Try saying THAT for a full suspension mtb in 20 years time..

There is only one. The rear triangle does not have disc brake drop-outs. Merlin can weld an alternative triangle on the back if I want to. I don't. A disc on the front and a V on the back is light and powerful.

The bottom line is that a Merlin is a bike for life, the last bike you'll ever need. The older models had classic MTB frame geometry, the latest unfortunatley look like a modified BMX. You can prize my taiga from my cold, dead clammy hands.

Similar Products Used:

Kona Hei Hei (owned for 3 years)

strength, responsiveness, great geometry, tracks beautifully, classic aesthetics

a bit heavy for Ti

3rd owner of this classic frame. Previous was a xc racer. Fantastic ride. Handles all conditions well. Have used it in everthing from 12 hour adventure races to multiday mt bike packing on single track. Will never need another mt bike

Similar Products Used:

first Ti bike I have owned
Diamond Back(89)Fuji(91)Specialized rock hopper(2000)

Strong frame, Ti

If only titanium frames were not so expensive

I know, using a merlin to do trials is like driving a rolls in a race. But after breaking 7 frames in 9 years, I'm tired of staying without riding for months. Always broke because of repeated stresses of trials drops & tricks.
This one may be heavier than all other Ti frames, but thus should it be stronger. And Ti is a lot more fatigue-resistant than Aluminium.
I bought it on sale - No one wanted that 15" frame - And I would never believe that I will find a 15" merlin frame on sale)
And no paint, thus no scratch !

Similar Products Used:

GT & Cannondale hardtails - aluminium

Ride; Fit and Finish; Low Price for a Merlin; It's a Merlin!

Can't find any after almost two years riding

I have owned a Ritchey Ultra, a Cannondale Red Shred, a Rocky Mountain Blizzard, and a Klein Pinnacle during my many years of riding, and the Taiga I purchased almost two years ago is by far the best bike I have owned!

Similar Products Used:

Litespeed's hardtails; Rocky Mountain(when they sold ti bikes); Kona's Ti hardtails

My last bike was the Trek 7000. After destroying the aluminum frame (drop-out) on several different occasions, this was pre removeable, and being without a bike for weeks waiting for Trek to repair it, I coughed up the additional cash an went top end Ti. The Taiga is much more durable and forgiving with regards to rigidity. In addition the geometry fits much better. The 19 Merlin feels more of a custom fit than my 19 trek had. Frame stiffnes, I am 6 foot tall weighing in just over 200lb and have an extreme problem with snapping chains in tensile load, this frame holds tight. Even though this is considered the bottom end Merlin, it is far ahead of other high end Aluminum and Chromoly frames hands down. I rated it a 4 star only because its not their top end unit. So you dont think that I am nicky new kid, I have been riding now for roughly three years and have had my Merlin for about 9 months.

Through some connections I've been able to ride the new bargain Merlin MTB, the Taiga. The frame is every bit a Merlin - the excellent finish and flawless welds. The frame is stiff enough but fairly forgiving. The bike handles very well - tracks well in loose junk and climbs easily. It is not as quick in twisty single track as my favorite single track bike (I won't name names) but is very good. Overall, this is an very good bike and an excellent value

This is not the lightest ti frame, by any stretch of the imagination. Actually, it is one of the heaviest ti frames around, but the quality, appearance, and performance is incredible. Personally, I like the wishbone seat stay configuration. Other nice features include a removable rear canti-hanger, and 6/4 ti dropouts. This frame uses commercially pure Grade 4 ti tubing in some areas, which is heavier, and not as strong as the industry standard 3/2.5 alloy. Customer service is lousy at Merlin, do not expect any response from e-mail inquiries, but they do have a bulletin board at their web site. Also, the frame is pricier than similar frames from Litespeed, etc. One complaint is the appearance of the chainstay bridge, which is solid; this should be machined out, or redesigned, but it is obviously a cost-cutting measure. The welds are immaculate, and the bright-ti finish is uniquely Merlin. These frames run true to size, so a 19 is really a 19, mine is kind of big for me. The tubes are FATTER than most other ti bikes! The rear end is noticably heavier than other ti frames. That's about it.

Its a Merlin. Beautiful geometry, very confortable and forgiving. Excelent climber.

None

Probably the best ratio between price/handling/quality that a Merlin have.Anyone who wants performance, good value, confort and superb handling, should try one of these.

Similar Products Used:

Used to ride a Full suspended Proflex 856

Superb handling, comfortable ride, robust, beautifully built, always cleans up to look like new, very exclusive. This frame really is a work of art.

Broken screw-in brake pivot. Customer service from Merlin & their importers Saucony left a lot to be desired for such a premium product - it took almost 2 months of continuous badgering to finally get a replacement sent over.

I've been a mountain biker for > 10 years and have no intention of ever changing this frame.

Similar Products Used:

Various Saracens, Orange P7

Ti, Merlin quality, finish, Resilient

Weight, Cable Stop

This bike climbs, corners, and descends with the best of them. The fit and finish is impeccable. The frame is noticeably more resilient than any aluminum or steel bike. The welds are perfect. The frame is not the lightest around, and one of the cable stops on my frame broke (which Merlin fixed) but the frame is definetely worth the money. This is all the bike anyone would ever need.