Saxon Renovation

I posted a picture of this frame some time ago on Twitter (@merciancycles) and wondered then it would ever get built into a complete machine or not. Then the other day we received these photos from Jon the owner and as you can see has built a lovely machine.

Jon sent a short email saying the following.

Hello  AS promised here are some images of the Saxon. STill not sure  about the chain set as the  original Williams crankset looks good too. But my thanks to all  at Mercian who were involved in the  repaint. It is a lovely job and I am delighted with the work. Regards, Jon  Tweet

Higgins frame Renovation

Hi all at Mercian Cycles,
Here are some shots of my Higgins frame recently restored by your good selves, now built up and on the road...
I now also have mud guards fitted and have had to change the saddle as the Brooks has defeated me, although I might have another go later!
The bike is fitted with an 8 speed sturmey Hub Gear, Weinmann 27" rims, Shimano brakes and levers with handle bars from Halfords that started off black but were polished up to match the rest of the bright work.

There is a Stronglight chainset driving a 34t front and 26t rear sprocket, this being to match the internal ratios in the Sturmey hub gear. Bottom Bracket is from Shimano.

Thanks for all your good work!

Richard 

Tweet

Mitchell's bike in Manhattan

Hello--

I wanted to send along a picture of my just built gunmetal gray Audax on its maiden ride on a gunmetal gray Easter Sunday in lower Manhattan (that's the almost complete Freedom Tower rising in the center and the Statute of Liberty is a little speck in the lower right). The bike is amazing and worth every second of the wait. I look forward to riding it for many years to come. I chose the components and built the bike with the help of a fantastic shop in Brooklyn called 718 Cyclery. The mechanic who did the build remarked more than once on the wonderful craftsmanship on the bike. Thanks!

All my best,

Mitchell 

Tweet

Grants bike

Find attached picture of my recently completed King of Mercia. Components as follows:

Hubs, Front & Rear Derailleurs, 12/27 Rear Cassette, Compact 50/34 Chainset and Chain - Shimano 105

Downtube shifters and Front & Rear brakes - Shimano Dura Ace

Brake Levers - Cane Creek

Handlebars & Stem - Ritchey Classic

Saddle - Brooks B 15 Swallow

Rims - Mavic Open Pro

Tyres - Continental Gatorskins

Pedals - MKS Prime Touring

Compared to my previous cycle (a Pashley Moulton), The "King" rides like a dream, those 700c wheels make it more stable on the road. It has been worth the 6 months wait. I'm planning to cover many hundreds of miles on him over the coming Summer - assuming we have one.

Over the last few years I  have become accustomed to riding with handlebar-mounted shifters, so it feels unusual going retro and having to reach down to the shifters mounted on the down tube, where they always used to be.

As this is custom made for my 6ft + physique, the frame is enormous - so anyone with criminal intent, has got to be as big as I am! although it goes without saying that I won't be leaving the "King" lying around.

Thanks to everyone at Mercian Cycles

Grant 

 Tweet

The love of Stuart's life

Hello Mercian

Here's a pic of my girlfriend with my 1964 superlight. It's a beautiful bike that I'm bringing up to you in the coming weeks for a resto, despite being in great condition after nearly 50 years. The pic was taken on a nice ride around the beautiful gnoll park estate in South Wales.

We really hope you can publish it in your gallery or blog

Tweet

Listen to my dulcet tones (Rapha Frame)

Something a little different this post 

Recorded and photographs by Nick Hand 

Tweet

Rob's Fab Track bike

Hi Mercian,

I would just like to thank you for a lovely bike that I took delivery of last year.

Spec:

Frame and folks:  King of Mercia, 2012

Headset: Shimano, Dura Ace

Handlebars: Nitto, B125AA

Stem: Nitto, NTC-DX Quill

Brake: Shimano, Dura Ace BR7700

Brake lever: Paul Components

Saddle: Brooks, B17 Champion Sprinter

Seat Post: Nitto, S65

Crankset: Shimano, Dura Ace - 170mm - 52T

Rims: Mavic, MA2

Hubs: Shimano, Dura Ace

Thank you once again,

Rob, Portsmouth

Tweet

Alex great looking Vigorelli

Hello all,

I've finally pulled the photos of my newly built up Super Vigorelli off my camera.

I've since sorted the chain tension issue and she rides like a dream. It was purely by accident that the frame matched the rims but I think they look great together.

Most the components are Japanese (Nitto, Sugino, DID) but love having a British built frame at the middle of it.

Keep up the good work.

alex.
Alex thats one sure fire way of getting a scratched top tube :(

Tweet

Easter Bunny

Easter shop opening times 

Friday 29th open 9 to 5.30

Saturday 30th Open 9 to 5.00

Sunday 31st Closed

Monday 1st April Closed 

Tuesday 2nd April Closed

Wednesday 3rd April Closed 

Re-Open on Thursday 4th April as normal

Iain's trusty steed

Hi

This is my 1975 Mercian(17975).  I recently built it up mostly using bits from the garage.  I took it it out for a spin yesterday and it is perfect!  I have just bought some Nuovo Record front and rear mechs and a set of Strada cranks.  As soon as I can source some chainrings I will be swapping the gear over.  

regards

Iain 

Tweet

Vincent's Audax

"I took my new Mercian Audax out for it's maiden voyage today and it was a pure joy to ride I'm now looking forward to another 30 years of pleasure on the roads with my steel horse. 

For those who are interested I chose and acquired all of the parts myself over 12 months after researching; gearing, mechs, handlebar types etc...The parts of interest are listed below for anyone thinking of building a Mercian Audax up. 

Mercian Audax Frame with Sportive geometry

René Herse Double Cranks 48/38  & SKF JIS Square Taper 110 mm Bottom Bracket 

Dura Ace 9 Speed Index Shifters

Ultegra: Front Mech, Rear Mech, 9 Speed Cassette 12-27, Brake Callipers, Brake Levers

Vintage 3TTT Gun metal Head Stem 130mm

Nitto 65 Seat Post

Brooks B17 Narrow Saddle

Nitto 105 Alloy Handlebars & Brooks Leather Bar Tape

Jagwire Cable Set

Bespoke Wheel Set: Mavic Open Pro Rims, DT Swiss Spokes, Halo Large Flange Hubs"

Tweet