1996/7 Titanium Merlin Taiga W/ Rigid Indy Fab Fork

For sale is a titanium Merlin Taiga converted to a 1x9 drivetrain and outfitted with riser bars. Its very much a parts bin build but it's a blast to ride and handles awesome. Think Bmx Klunker. I haven't had trouble with chain drop but I also haven't ridden this bike at dirt jumps or rough trails since building it. I give it a thumbs up for bar crawls and dicking around town

Size is small or a 15" frame. It is suspension corrected geometry and a 1 1/8" headtube. You can find geometry and catalog specs in the last image.

No dents or cracks. Decals are OG and are in pretty good shape overall. Buuld by the legendary Rob Vandermark. This guy is still building frames, now for Seven cycles. I can tell you his work is top notch and the welds prove it.

The fork was custom made by Independent Fabrications and If you know their history you'll appreciate the choice here.  It's steel, TIG welded, suspension corrected and for 26" wheels. The catch is that it is 1" threadless. The solution is the Chris King devolution 1" headset adapter mated with a new 1 1/8" Sotto Voce headset.

The wheels are Shimano M563/5 LX hubs and 26" mavic rims without decals, I can't recall model but they are double walled and have reinforced spoke holes. Just rebuilt with fresh brass nipples. The brake tracks have plenty of life left.

Other parts include:
1 1/8" Chris King Sotto Voce Headset w/ 1" devolution adapters
Azonic riser bars w/ club roost brace
Vans lock on grips
Easton EA50 stem w/ 1 1/8 shim
Shimano M730 moto style brake levers
Shimano 105 rear derailleur
Shimano XT M737 cranks / Real Design 32t chainring
Shimano BR-M650 Canti brakes
Shimano HG53 9 speed chain
Shimano XT M750 11-34 cassette
Richey classic seatpost
Bontrager saddle
IRC mythos 2.1" front tire
Serfas Karver 1.95" rear tire

XT pedals not included

Feel free to ask any other questions. Shipping is flat rate $85 in the US.