Mercian or Bob Jackson?

Need some advice! I've just been offered a 1984 bob jackson, 531, [FONT=Arial]campy derallieur, levers and crank set, wieman brakes, SR stem, sylvanesque pedals, new michelin tyres and a brooks b17 saddle. [/FONT]Good con. Wondering what peoples views on price are? Paying £190 for it.

A complete Bob Jackson for £190 sounds good. Is it a complete bike? You mentioned tyres, but not wheels!

It sounds decent enough, but it's hard to tell without seeing it! If the cranks are vintage Campag Record Pista or Strada (will have the name engraved on the back of each arm), it's definitely worth it.

Witcomb are my local frame builders. I didn't buy one because the BJ was cheaper. Then Witcombs quadrupled in price. WTF. Also, the off the peg BJ seems to have a relatively long top tube, which suits me.

neither, they are both shit, OTP!

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there are other frame builders you know

Liar

Wow reading this thread I'm so totally thinking about a custom steel geared bike as the crown jewel of my stable. Mercian for me all the way. But I'm broke and I think to get one of these beauts means having £1.3k+ to throw at it. It's gonna stay a dream for a while for me.

no really

Must it be a northern frame? Look here
http://www.ceeway.com/custom_uk_bicycle_framebuilders.htm
for some alternatives. Who's for a Villiers Velo Velodrome Super Pista? Yum.

Cliff Shrubb lugged Reynolds 953, think he's out near Sutton.

I went to Harry Webb in Woolwich yesterday and they have a framebuilder doing Columbus steel frames for them.

Cor that Shrubb's nice. Have a look at a Villiers Velo... bridge and seat cluster looky nice.

no really

Yuh really

Call BJ or Mercian and ask to price a complete geared bike

I** demand** my frame be built by a burly northerner.... and that he be shirtless and eating a pie whilst welding my fixie gear bicycle.

And I demand someone orders one and pays for it for me now!

I** demand** my frame be built by a burly northerner.... and that he be shirtless and eating a pie whilst welding my fixie gear bicycle.

you're welcome to it. everyone knows that the best craftsmen hail from the south of england.

I went to Harry Webb in Woolwich yesterday and they have a framebuilder doing Columbus steel frames for them.

Harry Perry cycles in woolwich, right?
Harry Webb is a member of Twickenham CC, that's about all I can find... unless, you don't mean.. no....

Harry Perry cycles in woolwich, right?
Harry Webb is a member of Twickenham CC, that's about all I can find... unless, you don't mean.. no....

Yes, can confirm Harry Perry; getting my Alfs and Harrys mixed up!

In a tenuous link to the OP, the manager Paul had a look at my BJ Vigorelli and could not believe the price was currently as low as £350 for a frame made in England. If anything they do seem to be good value.

How would the Condor Classico rate against a Mercian or Bob Jackson frame?

Isn't this enough to put anyone off a Mercian: "Mercian Cycles & Paul Smith...For Autumn Winter 2007 we are proud to be collaborating with legendary designer Sir Paul Smith to create a limited edition range of Paul Smith cycles." Has the whole cycling world gone Witcomb?

In their defence, that was quite a while ago.

And did you see the paintjobs? Not ffin bad.

No, they were ffin awful....

Boom boom!

:p

neither, they are both shit, OTP!

Fair enough, given the choice though Mercian, one day.....

.

I Like Bob Jackson frames but they are Leed based. I don't like Leeds, in fact I hate Leeds, so buy the Mercian instead.

racist sexist racist.