Karl T

Just got back on site after a long absence and I'm looking for someone who knows Mercian bike models. I'm looking at buying one, it's Reynolds 653 fork and frame, frame looks like a 1990's Mercian Professional, forks look like 1990's Mercian Pro Lugless. I can put up some pics if anyone has any experience with these bikes and what are the best identifying features. Don't have the serial number at the moment. Thanks all.
Just found out I can't upload pics as I don't have enough posts on this site.
Basically the bike has long spearhead lugs at the bottom of the downtube and seat tube and both ends of the top tube which I've seen on an early nineties Mercian Professional. The forks have Cinelli sloped fork crown. It has Dura Ace group set if that helps. Has anyone got a mid nineties Mercian with the above features?

Finally collected the bike (edit) just noticed the style of the name looks different than the regular Mercian decal style.

Dura ace calipers and derailleurs


Campagnolo chain rings and cranks

cb400bill

Welcome back Karl. We have moved your thread from our Introductions forum to the Classic & Vintage forum.

Steve Bauserman 

Karl,

Most often the spear point lugs are associated with the Vincitore. Since Mercian bikes are bespoke the forks can be whatever the purchaser specifies. Below is a photo of my 1982 Vincitore. If you look carefully at the top tube lug lining you can just see the spear points. Also the head tube logs are more ornate. Mine is built with 531. The fork crown is sloped, but lugged.

rod_saetan

Sounds like a Professional to me, long 'fancy' spearpoint lugs were available on Vincitore, but 3" long spearpoints and a Cinelli crown were found on the professional according to the catalogue scan here:

Mercian Catalogue - bicyclist.cc

Of course, as above, you could have what you want if you ask nicely (and pay!).

Whatever it is, you'll not be disappointed, they are excellent bikes and have a reputation for a good reason.

Salamandrine 

As others have said, Mercian frames are custom, so they can really have any combination of features. Also specs change somewhat over time. Most are sold as bare frames I think, so components aren't much of a clue.

However, I think most people start with a one of the basic models. The long spear point lugs on the BB does indicate Mercian Professional, but it sort of depends what you mean by spear point. If they are scrolly and decorative, it's a Vincitore.

Karl T

[QUOTE=Steve Bauserman;21348926]Karl,

Most often the spear point lugs are associated with the Vincitore. Since Mercian bikes are bespoke the forks can be whatever the purchaser specifies. Below is a photo of my 1982 Vincitore. If you look carefully at the top tube lug lining you can just see the spear points. Also the head tube logs are more ornate. Mine is built with 531. The fork crown is sloped, but lugged.


Thats a beautiful bike, probably the nicest Mercian I've seen.
The spear points on the bottom of the seat post and downtube on the bike I'm looking at are not like yours. They are not as ornate, and probably a couple of inches long. From your message I'd say it's a Mercian Professional. When I have enough posts I'll put some pics up. Thanks for the message and info.

Karl T

Thanks for the message and the helpful info, the spear points are about 2/3 inches long from what I can see in the photos. They aren't scroll like the ones in Steve's photo. It was the fact that the fork looked like it was from one model while the frame looked like it was from another that threw me.
Either way it's a lovely looking bike. I used to go with my father to watch him race, he had a Colnago among other bikes, but it was always another riders Mercian that drew my attention, it'll be stuff of dreams if I manage to get the bike.

ascherer 

Karl T Some old pics of my 87 Pro. Sloping crown, reinforced BB lugs, Prugnat head and seat lugs.

ascherer 

In the nude...

Karl T

Thanks for the message and photos, that's a stunning bike, love the paint work.
The bike I'm looking at has exactly the same lugs and forks, so thanks to members on the site I'm happy that I know what model it is.
Any thoughts on wheels and cassette? I'm looking at putting an 8/9 cassette on, would I have any problems with this? What was on your bike when you bought it?

rustystrings61 

The overwhelming majority of Mercians sold in the U.S. came into the country as framesets. My ride quality experience has been very different from onyerleft's . My '02 Mercian Vincitore custom road fixed-gear (classical British club bike geometry with track ends for fixed gear use, clearance for mudguards, etc) has cheerfully handled every road surface from buttery asphalt to neglected chipseal to gravel and hardpacked clay. My '82 Colorado that started life as a team-issued racebike blends stability and nimbleness and responsiveness in ways much costlier customs didn't.

Much depends on the tubing used, too. The Colorado is 531c with round section 531 forks and round stays with a good bit of taper to them, while the Vincitore is 531c with a 531ST fork.

The serial number will give you a year of production, but somewhere along the line they changed the format. My Colorado is 45882 with a 6 that indicates it was built by George Bryan, while the Vincitore has a three line number; 5 for builder Derek Land, 181 for the number built that year, and 2002 for the year built.

Steve Bauserman 

I through several rounds of swapping have ended up with four Mercian bikes; three are Vincitore (two mine and one my wife's) and a King of Mercia. The one in the photo just came back from Grant after repainting due to an accident on a ride last year. Below is a photo of my other Vincitore a 71 at Mercian. It is waiting to be built up. The black and white KOM below, also a 71, is all original and will get kept that way as long as possible as it has a lacquer paint. All the back story out of the way, the Mercian's are the best riding of all of the bikes I own. Build quality is excellent and I would but it with my Masi or Hetchins bikes.

ascherer 

I bought the frame and fork new in early 1988, serial 26587, built by Derek Land. At Mercian, each builder assembles the entire frame. I built it with Campy NR and tubulars and rode that for many years, now it's Ultegra 6600 with a 10-speed cassette so you'll have no problem with an 8 or 9. I built the wheels with Velocity Aeroheads (which have been the most bulletproof rims I've ever used) and run racing 23mm tires. IMO a handmade steel frame with modern components is the best of both worlds. Like rustystrings61 my Pro is remarkably nimble and surefooted at the same time, and it fits me like a glove. Every time I get on it I smile. Since this picture I've switched to a Brooks Cambium saddle and pulled off the Flight Deck and associated wiring but this is pretty much how it sits today:

Karl T

I've never rode a Mercian, my Father raced and had Colnago and Basso bikes, there was something about the Mercian that a friend of his that always drew my attention. Its great to hear all your experiences with riding Mercian bikes. I'm over tomorrow to have a look at the bike, if all is well with it I'll be picking it up before the weekend. A guy in Dublin is selling a Campagnolo Atlanta 1996 wheelset, I'm thinking of buying them as they come from the same era as the bike. I can look at getting something else later down the line. If I have enough posts on the site I'll put up some pics. Thanks again for all the help I've been given, I'm really looking forward to taking it out on the road.

ascherer 

My last set of tubular wheels were Campy rims, probably Omegas with my Record hubs.You're over 10 posts now, we're looking forward to pictures! Good luck...

Karl T

I had a look at the bike last night and will have it by the end of next week. It looks great, only problem was the seller broke the chain and took 3 links out to patch it back together.
I'm looking at options for wheels. There's a set of Mavic sup CXP30 going on ebay with Dura ace hubs that I'm thinking about going for. The other option is a set of Mavic MA40 rims that I was thinking of getting Shimano 105 hubs and DT competition spokes and having wheels built for 9 speed with a 11-34t cassette. I'm thinking I'll need a longer chain and derailleur too. The CXP30 wheels seem to be the cheaper option. Any thoughts or experience with either wheels? I won't be racing just sportives and spins so I don't need anything ultra light, looking at 34t for the hills.

ascherer 

I’m not familiar with CXP30. The MA40s are well regarded. It’s likely you’ll want a long cage rear derailleur to handle the 34. New chains are good and relatively cheap.

Karl T

Went with the MA40 hubs with ultegra 600 hubs (FH 6500 rear and HB 6400 front) from ebay. There's a guy who builds wheels that said he'd do €60 per wheel with DT swiss spokes. The plan is to get a shimano 9 speed11-34 cassette so a chain and long derailleur will also be needed. Should be on the road in a couple of weeks if all goes well. I'll put up some pics as soon as its on wheels. Thanks again for all your help.

ascherer 

Great hubs, too. Not sure what type of derailleur you have in mind but I'll mention that I've had good experiences with Microshift's R10. I think there's an R9 - I like them because I prefer a silver derailleur, and they perform flawlessly. Looking forward to more pictures!

Karl T

Some photos up I'll add some close up photos of the lugs soon.
Theres a mix of Campagnolo and Dura Ace components, shifters are Sora 6 speed. I'm thinking someone did some raiding/changing on parts over the years. I'm thinking of putting some 9 speed Dura Ace down tube shifters on. Narrower Cinelli 40cm bars with some vintage white bar tape.
The frame is smaller than I thought (didn't measure before I bought it as I trusted the sellers word) but it's really nice to ride, just glides along.
​Wheels are slightly heavy, but sturdy and really suit the bike.
​​​​​​Thanks again for all the help and sharing your experience.

With new bar tape, dura ace downtube shifters and brake levers

Karl T

Thanks again for all the help, just uploaded a couple of pics of the bike.
Any idea why the Mercian decals are different on my bike to the regular one? Have you seen this "font" before, I really like the original one a lot more.

ascherer 

It's an alternate logo, still in use along side the classic style. Many of their frames are custom, I suppose folks can order them either way.
The bike looks great!!

noobinsf 

I’ve got one with that font that was made for Stone’s Cyclery in Alameda in 83.

Karl T

Nice paint job, Dublin colours... 😉

Karl T

Thanks, I'm almost fully happy with it, not gone on the bars though, gonna look for something with less width.