tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post2666144861159153615..comments2024-03-28T11:56:48.304-04:00Comments on The Retrogrouch: Mercian Cycles - History and TraditionBrookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-865942208314189542021-10-26T16:39:21.207-04:002021-10-26T16:39:21.207-04:00Agreed. I bought and rebuilt three and just had an...Agreed. I bought and rebuilt three and just had another frame made for my 70th birthday. Beautiful bicycles.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14604161945294939778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-20067980429373832102021-10-26T14:53:15.982-04:002021-10-26T14:53:15.982-04:00I have five Mercians. They are very addictive. Bea...I have five Mercians. They are very addictive. Beautiful machines!Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10222621926391231737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-26497344568442687902021-08-05T19:38:07.022-04:002021-08-05T19:38:07.022-04:00Most Mercians are and were sold as frames to be bu...Most Mercians are and were sold as frames to be built up however the owner wishes. So you could put on whatever derailleurs you wish. For the front, most vintage derailleurs will probably fit, but you’ll need to make sure they have a 26.8 mm diameter clamp. For the rear, most Japanese and Italian derailleurs will work with the rear dropout hanger, assuming it has an integrated hanger, which most Mercians would have had by 1971. If not, you’ll just need a hanger claw adapter. French derailleurs can be tricky to fit because they typically required a different hanger design.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-89640969318179021422021-08-05T18:23:58.386-04:002021-08-05T18:23:58.386-04:00I have a model 135, 1971 frame without the deraill...I have a model 135, 1971 frame without the derailleur. How do I find the correct one for this model? newhomebobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18162858270034217246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-52259929256400122402020-02-07T02:05:59.990-05:002020-02-07T02:05:59.990-05:00Thanks for the quick reply. I'll have a closer...Thanks for the quick reply. I'll have a closer look and may have to remove some paint. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again. DavidAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10646454958879637390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-15302065456038071822020-02-06T14:30:52.910-05:002020-02-06T14:30:52.910-05:00Unless it's a really old one, like from the 50...Unless it's a really old one, like from the 50s, the number should almost certainly be on the underside of the bottom bracket. If it's been repainted, then maybe it's obscured? If it still has its original fork, you could also look on the steerer tube. Some of my Mercians have the number on the fork in addition to the frame (but I cannot remember if all of them have that). It's worth a look. Some 1950s frames have the number on the rear dropout, but that's rare.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07155391319606812982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-83384017333587232662020-02-06T12:54:58.746-05:002020-02-06T12:54:58.746-05:00Hi. I stumbled across your great blog, looking for...Hi. I stumbled across your great blog, looking for info on Mercains. I have been given a frame which is likely a Mercian but I'd like to find out more about it. For starters, where would I find the frame number? There's nothing under the BB shell, unless is covered with numerous coats of paint... Any advice you can give, much appreciated.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10646454958879637390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-46366928046608932972019-10-26T21:13:24.125-04:002019-10-26T21:13:24.125-04:00I bought my Mercian from The Spoke as well! Summer...I bought my Mercian from The Spoke as well! Summer of 1980. It's blue. I am considering selling. I had just put it back into service a few years ago but now am heading to a different type of riding.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901551820683244845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-43632586579048955262018-07-29T22:24:30.632-04:002018-07-29T22:24:30.632-04:00I owned a blood red Mercian Colorado that I bought...I owned a blood red Mercian Colorado that I bought as a frame from The Spoke on the hill in Boulder, CO. I built it myself with Campy Super Record, and was so proud of that bike. It had an altered geometry in the rear triangle to pull it under the seat for hill climbing. If I’m not mistaken, Mercian was the team bike for the shop in a Nassau Blue color with yellow striping. I search 4-5 times a year online to see if I can find my bike or another Colorado...selling it was the biggest bike mistake I ever made!McReyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02526441355606653591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-43853519905799013782017-05-10T15:13:09.029-04:002017-05-10T15:13:09.029-04:00Mercians are not an addiction. I've just put ...Mercians are not an addiction. I've just put down a deposit on my fifth. Only my fifth! That's not an addiction. ;-)Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-42369827766752164502014-09-29T16:26:03.208-04:002014-09-29T16:26:03.208-04:00Yes, I like the idea of Mercian Cycles refurbishin...Yes, I like the idea of Mercian Cycles refurbishing a vintage Mercian. Although the current exchange rate stinks, my calculation of cost by Mercian vs. cost in the S.F. Bay area is very compatible. A single color without decals is upward of $385 here. It will cost approx. $75 to ship it to Mercian and approx. 90 GBP to return it to CA. Thanks for your opinions and suggestions.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09710715433883677736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-44907621870575500852014-09-29T07:03:13.126-04:002014-09-29T07:03:13.126-04:00I thought they did a great job, and the turnaround...I thought they did a great job, and the turnaround time wasn't too bad, considering the shipping back and forth. Keep in mind the cost of shipping both ways and add that to the budget, though. I had a fairly reasonable exchange rate when I did mine, which still kept the cost below having someone here in the U.S. do the work -- even with the shipping costs included. I also liked knowing that it was being repainted by the same people who had built and painted it the first time (considering how long Rob the painter has been there, it's possible it was literally repainted by the very same guy!).Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-73776257935209206412014-09-28T20:57:23.560-04:002014-09-28T20:57:23.560-04:00Thank you for this enjoyable and informative blog....Thank you for this enjoyable and informative blog. I am considering sending my 1975 SL to Mercian Cycles for a complete restoration. How did all that work out for you with the '79 "Classic". BTW, I have two KOMs, a Superlight, and a Vigorelli being built. I like Mercians. Again, many thanks.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09710715433883677736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-72536505158602670662014-07-22T11:01:06.627-04:002014-07-22T11:01:06.627-04:00Hi David -- the bars on the '79 Mercian have b...Hi David -- the bars on the '79 Mercian have been changed since that photo was taken. I had first tried a pair of Rivendell's "Albatross" bars, flipped upside-down, but later switched to a basic "mustache" bar -- not a huge difference, but I like the mustache bars a little better. The Vincitore has a pair of Soma Portola bars, from Soma Fabrications. They are very similar to the old Specialized "dirt-drop" bars in that they have a wide flare and a shallow drop.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-35798982659044582412014-07-22T09:07:56.388-04:002014-07-22T09:07:56.388-04:00I have just picked up a Mercian King of Mercia. Ho...I have just picked up a Mercian King of Mercia. Hopefully just my first and I love it.<br />I was wondering what are the handlebars on your classic 1979 and your 2012 Vincitore?<br />Thanks.<br />DavidDavidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14604161945294939778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-24309391502570953212014-05-22T08:12:18.249-04:002014-05-22T08:12:18.249-04:00A great read. Very reassuring to know there's...A great read. Very reassuring to know there's still so much passion for beautiful bicycles.Kirton Spinnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650866974801797655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-19147814948312286042014-02-08T17:08:02.038-05:002014-02-08T17:08:02.038-05:00Hi John - thanks for writing. I believe I've s...Hi John - thanks for writing. I believe I've seen that Road Path bike of yours -- on the CR and at a Cirque du Cyclisme event? Nice bikes.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-17433926255649939472014-02-08T15:51:38.818-05:002014-02-08T15:51:38.818-05:00 have a 2005 Mercian Vincitore Special that I had ... have a 2005 Mercian Vincitore Special that I had them build to my specs in 2004 Igot in 2005 it is a great frame, responsive and well finished with the barbers pole on seat tube. I hae done close to 65k on it now, this includes riding up and down most of the Colorado mountain passes. I also have a 1950 Mercian Roadpath also a fine machine. John Crump Parker, Colorado USAUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13528033142823718317noreply@blogger.com