subject: re: 2fat4XLM?

comments:
: Many of the people I work with are into MTBikin' : and they've been tryin' to get me started. : I started browsing bike shops and related wed sites : recently and it seems to me that titanium frames are : the most desired especially for big folks. : I weight 195lbs, way over weight and perhaps a little : over the hill to start at 37. : Most of the "over-the-hill" people I know ride : either Merlin mountain or XLM. : Many of them started with alluminum frames and within : a year, almost all the older guys traded for titanium : frames. : I don't want to "waste" my time nor cash on something : which I might eventually want to sell off. So, I think : I will get the "best" right off to save the headaches : and concentrate on having fun. : Which, the XLM or the mountain should I get? I hear : conflicting opinions on either frame set. : Some said, for someone heavy I should get the Mountain : frame as the XLM might flex under my weight and may : not be as durable. While the straight guage Mountain : frame has had proven record for its durability and : legendary ride qualities. : And of course, the no rack warranty thing with XLM : further their suspicions. : I like them both but not equally. I'd like to get : the XLM if there is indeed some perceiveable : benefits over the other aside from the few ounces : shed. : Please go into as much detail if you like, I am : currently on vacation!(And riding my friend's : Klein Mantra Pro a couple hours daily). : Dave"Goliath"Kong. : : Someone told me Merlin should have a brand new FS : design ready by fall'97. : The Merlin XLM seems to catch my fancy the most thus : far and I tried