Frequently Asked Questions

Frame Specifications:
Where can I get the specifications for Merlin frames? What is the seatpost diameter for Merlin frames? What is the headtube diameter for Merlin mountain frames?

Component Sizing:
Where can I get the specifications for frame components? What is the front derailleur clamp size for a Merlin Extralight? What is the front derailleur clamp size for a Merlin Road? What is the front derailleur clamp size for a RSR? What is the front derailleur clamp size for a Merlin Mountain frame? What is the bottom bracket size for Merlin frames? What spindle length is required for Merlin frames? What is the size of the seatpost binder bolt for Merlin frames?

Frame sizing:

What size Merlin road frame do I need? What size Merlin mountain frame do I need?

Purchasing:
Can I buy a frame direct from Merlin?

Tricky Stuff:
What is the size and part number on my older Merlin with the Grease Guard bottom bracket? How do I pronounce Taiga? How do I service my Merlin bottom bracket?

Did we answer your question? If not, try the bulletin board.

Frame Specifications:

Where can I get the specifications for Merlin frames?
You may be able to find what you're looking for on our Specifications page.

What is the seatpost diameter for Merlin frames?
All Merlin frames take standard 27.2 mm seatposts. If your 27.2mm seatpost does not fit properly, measure the post!
(Specifications)

What is the headtube diameter for Merlin mountain frames?
All Merlin mountain frames (XLM, Mountain, Taiga and Newsboy) are made with 1 1/8" headtubes.
(Specifications)

Component Sizing:

Where can I get the specifications for frame components?
You may be able to find what you're looking for on our Specifications page.

What is the front derailleur clamp size for a Merlin Extralight?
Extralights size 49cm, 51cm and 53cm take 1 1/4" (32mm) front derailleur clamps.
Extralights size 54cm thru 63cm take 1 3/8" (35mm) front derailleur clamps.
(Specifications)

What is the front derailleur clamp size for a Merlin Road?
All standard Merlin Road frames use 1 1/4" (32mm) front derailleur clamps.
(Specifications)

What is the front derailleur clamp size for an RSR?
RSRs use 1 3/8" (35mm) front derailleur clamps.
(Specifications)

What is the front derailleur clamp size for a Merlin Mountain frame?
A 13.5 Merlin Mountain takes a 1 1/4" (32mm) front derailleur clamp.
All other mountain frames (XLMs, Mountains, Taigas and Newsboys) use 1 3/8" (35mm) front derailleur clamps.
(Specifications)

What is the bottom bracket size for Merlin frames?
All Merlin frames have 68mm English tread bottom bracket shells.

What spindle length is required for Merlin frames?
New Merlin frames use whatever spindle length is recommended by the component manufacturer. On older Grease Guard equipped Merlin frames, the shortest spindle recommended is 107mm on a Road frame and 113 on a Mountain frame.

What is the size of the seatpost binder bolt for Merlin frames?
Merlin uses a standard steel bolt size 6x1x20 available at any hardware store.

Frame Sizing:

What size Merlin road frame do I need?
For an approximate calculation of your correct frame size, measure your inseam in centimeters, crotch to floor, and multiply by 66 percent.
(Specifications)

What size Merlin mountain frame do I need?
For an approximate calculation of your correct frame size, measure your inseam in inches, crotch to floor, and subtract 16 inches.
(Specifications)

Purchasing:

Can I buy a frame direct from Merlin?
Merlin has worked hard over the past 10 years to develop a network of excellent dealers, and we only sell our frames through them.

Tricky Stuff:

What is the size and part number on my older Merlin with the Grease Guard bottom bracket?
The bearings have an inside diameter of 17mm, an outside diameter of 30mm and a width of 7mm. The bearing part number is 69032R-S and is available through most bearing retailers.

How do I pronounce Taiga?
As one of our Southern dealers told us, it is pronouced like "a yankee tiger" (ti-ga).

How do I service my Merlin bottom bracket?
Service manuals for both the pre-1991 conventional and Grease Guard bottom brackets are online at this site.

What is the deal with Dan Fox's hair in that picture?
We're not really sure, but our research team is working on it.

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