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!

[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….

[Tychom]

Looks like you got in there just in time as the rumours on the UK cycling forums and FB group are that Mercian may have just closed their doors for good

[edward12]

I can only hope that is not the case. A recent Mercian FB post (I think within the past 30 days) stated that they not are not repairing tubes on frames due to a full book of new frame orders.

I only found one thread on the UK Cycling forum dated May 17, 2024, which was not very helpful. I could not find any other information.

But only time will tell.