Vincitore! Vincitore! Cena di Pollo!
 

Just when I think I've got the N+1 thing under control, I'm innocently browsing the Craigslist bike parts section and I come across a couple of vintage frames in my size, both with classic champagne paint. A few texts and emails later, I brought them both home.

I'll start with the one that gave me the title for this thread -- a 1971 Mercian Vincitore. I had never given Mercian bikes much thought before. I see them on here now and then and they're always beautiful, but I could say that about an endless list of bike brands. Mercian wasn't on my short list. But I have a particular weakness for either chrome lugs or particularly ornate lugs, and this one had lugs that were both chrome and ornate. I had to have it.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6a58ed70_h.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fa141f95_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a58c9235_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ca269520_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...671df106_b.jpg

The paint is rough, but that's actually a characteristic I like in old frames. It means I can send it off to @gugie for some Gugificazione without worrying about the finish. I'm not sure how far I'll go with this one, but it needs at least water bottle bosses. As for paint, I'm thinking British racing green with a white head tube and seat panel.

But wait, there's more! I mentioned two frames, right? Well, brace yourself for this next one...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e4af8bfd_b.jpg

That's right, a Huffy Aerowind. The seller wasn't going to be home when I could come by, so he left it on the porch along with a jar for me to put my money in. Even within Portland city limits, this bike wasn't taken after being left out on the porch like that, can you believe it? I guess no one who wandered by was aware of its value...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2f6349dd_b.jpg

Well, this one doesn't have the original parts, so it comes up a couple a few 9's short of that value, but at least one person obviously thinks highly of these.

Plus it has a brazed-on kickstand plate!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...cd221b8a_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2f2f5d3f_b.jpg

:eek: WOW!!!

H**Y CRAP those lugs are awesome. :thumb:

Great call on the BRG paint, no brainer IMO. ;)

I don’t think anybody could have n+1 under control when looking at a Mercian like that, it’s gorgeous! Not even seeing that seeing that Huffy next to it ruins it for me.

:roflmao2:

The Huffy just provides the perfect wacky opposite end of the spectrum to the fabulous Mercian, win, win. :roflmao2:

There are SO many things about that Huffy Aerowind that truly had me LOL! 😂

Can’t wait to see that one decked out in your usual Campy 10x3, maybe on an inverted Soma Hwy One bar. It really needs an aero seatpost. Do they come that small? Then add a mattress saddle to “match” the kickstand and its plate, not to mention that oh-so-artful rear brake “bridge” with its integral fender mount. Don’t forget those hooked washers on your front axle for safe retention.

(But that Mercian truly does have lovely lugs. It will be a beautiful bike when you’re done.)

Great ideas, but this one is destined for the next Clunker 100 Challenge so I won't have the budget for fancy upgrades like pleasant-to-use drivetrains or seatposts that weigh under two pounds.

Seriously, this thing weighs over 12 pounds as pictured. I don't know how they got there. I had my wife hold each of these. She asked if one had hollow tubes and the other was solid.

That Mercian rocks. So glad you got it!

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here is a Rebour rendering done for Andy Bertin illustrating the Vincitore's BOCAMA semi-sloper -

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...163c606a7d.jpg


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I’ve seen that Huffy kicking around CL for awhile so it’s great it found a loving home.

The Mercian would be hard to say no to. Fancy chrome lugs make my bits tingle too. I’m sure it’s gonna look fabulous when it’s done!

“ Just when I think I've got the N+1 thing under control, I'm innocently browsing the Craigslist bike parts section and I “

isn’t that sort of like a recovering alcoholic dropping by to chat with his favorite bartender?

The Mercian is fabulous, love those lugs

You are one lucky C&Ver, Andy. I would ride that Huffy proudly.

Would love to GCN put that Aerowind up against the latest aero super bike in a side by side comparison. I'm guessing the results would be surprising...

Nice score Andy.

So, 3x10 Campagnolo for that sweet Huffy?

You know, an Aerowind jersey would be absurdly cool. Make sure you acquire an aero helmet to take full advantage of that frame's air slicing capabilities.

It's like if Napoleon Dynamite and Breaking Away had a bike baby.

Mercian
 

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...78a198cfd.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...92401b73e.jpeg
Nice find. Yes your Mercian would look good in BRG, like my Waterford. Not exactly BRG, but close. Or blue and white with red striping like
my 1974 Mercian Pro Road frame. Union Jack
colors. Bill

Thanks! That's very cool.

No, that's not the proper attire for an Aerowind. You need a jacket flapping in the wind to cancel out your unfair advantage.

:roflmao2:

Yeah, it is a bit like that. I was there looking for wheels for a different frame. Ultimately this could end up being a net gain because I'm going to need to sell a few bikes to finance the paint for the Mercian.

That's BBC though, so it isn't based in reality.

https://budgetbicyclectr.com/vintage...-sale.html?p=3

Nothing about the Huffy Aerowind was based in reality near as I can tell. There's somebody on eBay asking $200 for one right now. That still seems way too high.

Getting this one professionally done?

Personally, I like your work. You could probably do a fine job.

I've made a few bikes look good, but I don't know how long they'd stay that way if ridden regularly. I have only have facilities to work with rattle cans. Plus I'd hate to have to do the masking on these lugs.

There's a sign right above the entrance to the Atelier:

"Bring the Mercian, leave the Huffy"

There wasn't earlier till I saw this post.