Has anyone ever owned / ridden a Merlin? I've been looking for AGES for an XS hard tail MTB of half-decent spec and finally narrowed my search down to a Merlin XLM or a Scott Scale 20. Anyone got any views? Or alternative suggestions? Ta ;)

Scott Scale wins for me. I have a Scale 30 but it's the same frame as a 20 - I brought the frame and built it up with an XT groupset and put some decent wheels on. Rides like a dream and very light.

Are you looking at a Merlin Titanium? I swopped my Ti frame for my carbon Scott. I get on with my carbon much better.

That's a shame - the Merlin's the cheaper of the two! Why did you swap your Ti frame for carbon? I've always heard that Ti was the best in terms of comfort, longevity etc.

It was getting on a bit and I was only running v brakes on it. I've got a full sus with discs and I wanted to get a similar feeling on a hard tail. The Scott is also much lighter than my Ti frame - which was a GT Lightning.

As for comfort, I find the carbon better. I have done day rides at Coed Y Brenin and been fine on it.

I have a Merlin 13.5" XLM which is now over 10 years old. She is just the best bike I've ever onwned and I've had a few, including other high end hardtails and full sussers. Last autumn I updated her with new forks and lots of other very shiny bits and she looks just like new (no paintwork to worry about) I've taken her up and down real mountains, along miles of tight technical singletrack and I've done hundreds of miles of road riding on her too. There really is something very magical about the way a Merlin rides and I hope that I shall still be riding her for years to come. A Merlin is for life!

That's exactly how I felt - I've only ridden one once but there was no comparison between it and the others I'd tested. Out of interest, where did you buy yours from? I'm having trouble finding a supplier who can give me a finance deal!! Unless you fancy selling yours ... ;o)

Sorry, definately not for sale!
She was built up and is cared for by Wild Side Cycles in Tunbridge Wells, they specialise in custom builds and have built up quite a few Merlins and I'm sure they will be able to help you.