Mercian Frameset - Finally Built!

[edward12]

I finally built up my new Merican frameset - Golden Bronze was definitely the right color choice!

My experience with Mercian was very pleasant - communication with the UK frame builder was excellent and the lead time was about 12 weeks from start to finish.

I was very impressed with the clearances on the VO brakes - those are 30mm tires. I’m thinking I can easily do 32mm with fenders.

I repurposed Campagnolo 10-speed bar-cons which are essentially the last iteration of the down tube 8 speed “Synchro 2” shifters from the early 90’s, but with different internals for 10 speed (i.e., indexing collar).

I ended up using a Specialites TA Carmina 48/33 cranks with a 12-30 cassette.

The wheels are Record hubs/Open Pro rims and Vittoria Corsa Control tires.

[DRietz]

That looks great!

[eddief]

finely built.

[jamesdak]

That's a beauty, good job!

[deluz]

Congrats on your Mercian.
Here is mine I got new 2years ago.
I really love riding it.
It is my third Mercian.

[Spinner]

What a fine ride with great components ...

[robt57]

Agree, color would make me probably buy one alone.

[Pegoready]

Wow, what a great build. Love the eclectic parts choice that just blends in well. Based on the picture you can clear much larger tires than just 700x32. Gobs of clearance!

[El Chaba]

Great bike, great component spec, great color….Don’t forget to report back as to how it rides and behaves…

[NHAero]

That's a beauty! I've never seen those IRD levers, they look similar to the TRP RRLs.

Many happy miles and smiles to you!

[Veloo]

Love the 8->10 shifters.
The ample brake clearance is great.

Do the chainstays have a lot of clearance too? Were they crimped to make space?

[edward12]

Good question. The chain stays are not crimped - I did spec the bike with clearance for 35mm tires, though. In any event, I'll probably use 30-32mm tires most of the time. That said, I am interested in the 34mm Vittoria Corsa Controls...

[bigbill]

Very cool. My first race bike was a Mercian KOM in the 80s. My nephew rides it now.

[El Chaba]

As a bit of an aside, I love it when somebody gets what they want instead of what the industry wants him or her to have….