The Mercian appreciation society

Interesting on ebay currently:

I had this frame built to my measurements and requirements in 1994. I suffer from vertigo and am 6'3" tall so the frame is 25 1/2 " with a relaxed front fork angle to impart directional stability to assist me when the horizon starts to wobble! You won't see another Mercian frame to this design.

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Anyone interested…?
Groupset on its own worth a fair bit

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All original super record apart from the wheels and built with 531 professional tubing

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Finally built this up. Some nice bits from the parts bin. I call it ‘Lucifer’.

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This is lovely. Reminds me of fixed gear gallery builds from the old days! A Mercian track frame is definitely high up on my wants list.

Reminds me of fixed gear gallery builds from the old days!

That's quite an insult haha

Yes, it’s a bit hipster in its current form but I’ll probably put some drops and skinny tyres on it eventually. I have a vintage Mercian track frame going extremely cheap if you’re interested…

Anyone heard anything about Mercian having problems? Potentially closing up?

I'm reading stuff on the Facebook Mercian Appreciation Society that Mercian have closed their doors. I so hope this isn't true, or at least it not the end for my favourite frame makers.

Quite sad an upset really!

Does anyone know if there are better pictures of this bike somewhere?

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https://www.merciancycles.co.uk/online-shop/frame-payment/mercian-2008-calendar/

https://road.cc/content/news/mercian-cycles-stops-trading-and-enters-liquidation-308501

Absolutely gutted

A sad day indeed. I don't know how they lasted so long to be honest. It's another consignment to history of something this country could be proud of.

I dont understand why they kept making the same types of frames for decades, not too hard to make at least touring bikes with more clearance or a gravel bike or so

Very sad news.. I suppose the market for steel bike is dwindling. New generation of cycling enthusists would never have seen a steel bike in the peloton, and lugged steel frame is likely to be percived like a Model T Ford from a bygone era that is more suitable for a museum the the road.

There is a Video on YT Ellis Briggs channel where he has a moan about building modern stuff. Discs etc. I'm sure old frame builders felt the same about braze ons et all. The Rourke Bob Jacksons have seen the way forward, neo retro gravel etc. Check FB for details

There is a Video on YT Ellis Briggs channel where he has a moan about building modern stuff. Discs etc. I'm sure old frame builders felt the same about braze ons et all. The Rourke Bob Jacksons have seen the way forward, neo retro gravel etc. Check FB for details

I was kinda surprised that it was seen as a rant. But on reflection perhaps it came across that way.

No, what I was say was not that framebuilders shouldn't build bike following modern trends. That would be dumb. What I was trying to say was that the availability of parts for steel framebuilding is either from pre discs, wide tyres and thru axles or is made for tig welding. Lugged building is already a slower process than tig welding, so once discs, thru axles and other adaptions are added with parts made for other purposes it takes even longer. Mercian definitely made bikes for wide, tyres, discs and thru axles. But not at the speed they could build a regular qr and rim brake frame, yet their prices were not that high.

I've been reading through the comments on forums and my video and they make interesting reading. There is love for lugged frames still but is it enough? Probably not, except for a small niche.
If lugged building is to survive then a framebuilder probably needs to invest in having some new parts made to suit modern builds. A modern bike with retro aesthetics, a bit like a modern camera with classic looks.

Agreed. I had a Koga fork repaired at Ellis 10 years ago or so, perfect.
I have lugged BJ Olyimpus and a curly stay one. Love them but they don't even get a second glance nowadays. Sad.

Still for sale?

Rubbish pictures, I know, but would there be any potential interest in my Mercian Vincitore Special?
It’s still in storage, following my hiding it around the time of the divorce, but is the top of the range version, with the long spear point lugs. Equipped with campag veloce, with a nice aero post, lovely honey brooks, nice cinelli stem, etc…..I’d be after around £800, but will listen to offers . The current version is £1800 frame and fork only.
If I’m way off with the price, I’d appreciate the input…..

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Might anybody be interested in this patriotic Mercian? I listed it last year for £650, but would be prepared to let it go for £500 - need the space! The frameset is in very good nick.

wow that's lovely - what size is it? I'm def interested.

[edit] and what is the rear spacing (if you know)? and are they tubulars or clinchers?

Seems a good price if only for the cable outer... Joking, obvs.

Where are you/it based?

What's the vital statistics ?