Mercian ‘77 [kinda] new build

Bought this bike from this forum almost seven years ago now. The guy had done a great job on it but I’m now looking to add gears. The local shop quoted a lot, more than I paid for it, so I’m going to try and find the parts myself.

I don’t know much about what parts would fit this frame but I do know I’ll need: a new wheel set that’ll take gears, a group set, a shifter (hoping to keep the crank as is). Also hoping to to keep the rack and add mudguards - ambitious perhaps. Trying to keep costs low but still good aesthetics.

Open to advise and suggestions!

1 Attachment

so I’m going to try and find the parts myself.

the best way.

Have you got a front or rear mech hanger on the drive side? Might need to get one brazed on. Or you could run a gear hub maybe. Anyhow there's maybe some good inspo in this thread.

Thanks! I’ll check the thread out.
I have the rear hanger. Might take some more frame close-ups though, to share.

You will get mudguards in there no worry.

Started looking for stuff all over and gathered these...
I’m unsure about pairing the right chainsets to the right wheels and derailleur. Actually hoping to find an 11 speed chain set, as I’ll be keeping the Campagnolo chainring as one.

1 Attachment

Pretty much none of that will work together. You also appear to have selected a trigger set.

If you are going 1x you can probably happily keep the current chainset. I assume you don’t want to keep it looking classic and are therefore avoiding a band on downtube shifter?

See, glad I checked 😂 thanks...
Yes, I’d like the shifter to be up by the handlebar, so not classic.

I've got a 27" wheel, which is curently 5 speed, and two brand new gator skins you can have free. I dont think 5 speed indexes but you should be able to friction shift.
I can probably find an RD as well.
I'm out east London

That’s a good point. Are the wheels currently 27” or 700c?

An easy solution if 27” would be the above wheel and cassette and derailleur then a £5 thumb friction shifter off eBay.

If you want to go for modern, aim to stick with all one brand e.g shimano shifter with shimano derailleur and cassette.

That’s awesome. But my front wheel is 700c so if changing rear to 27” I’d prob have to also change the front... what’s an RD? :)

They’re 700c but open to changing to 27” and just selling these specialised ones. I’m trying to keep costs down hence initially just looking for a rear wheel. I also quite fancy wider tyres, maybe with that white rim.

Thanks for the tips, looking things up now!

Stick with 700. Easier to find and replace tyres and parts etc.

I agree with cheekysnaker but you could have a wheel, new tyre, rear derail (RD) and you just need a shifter and you have gears. You can look and research what you need for 700c.
I dont think there would be an issue with 700 on the front and 27 on the back.

What is the existing rear end spacing?

I'd go modern:

1. Trawl eBay for an entry level Alu road bike that a weekend warrior gave up quickly on.
   
2. Move the parts over to your Mercian frame
   
3. Sell the alu frame and your spare fixed bits and saddle.
   
4. Post in modern groupset on old frame thread. / Profit.
   

Only if it’s a flat bar bike. Otherwise new shifter etc

That’s a great idea! Like this? https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/344600/#comment15140227 Not modern but the parts should all work, right? (Apart from the shifter)

I’m not sure that’s a great idea. You could pick up parts of higher quality for the same amount. The derailleur and stem shifter are seriously low end.

@TheShipwright 's offer upthread is best if you are looking more for that laid-back style.

Shipwrights offer with a friction shifter would get you going nice and cheaply.

Do you know the rear spacing on the frame (126 or 130 or squeezed to 120)? Shouldn’t matter too much as steel is pretty forgiving on being stretched out.

Do you know if your current chainring is 1/8 or 3/32? If 1/8 you’ll need a need one.

It also looks like your brakes are under the bar so modern trigger shifters might not work. So well.

I’ve attached a screen grab of a shopping basket for SJS of cheap components that would work together. You would then need any shimano 8/9/10 speed rear wheel to get it going.

1 Attachment

Thank you so much for this, amazing!
I’m going to measure the chainring spacing and rear spacing of the frame and then hopefully just order the above 🙂

Chainring is: Campagnolo 42T.
Rear spacing around 11-12cm

Guys this is SO helpful, thanks again. Super excited about it :)

Thought I'd share the final result!
You guys were so helpful but I ended up taking it to Hackney Peddler for the job... Still, pleased with it :)

1 Attachment

nice, looks great with the gumwall tyres.

Nice and tidy