Mercian or Bob Jackson?

its either the 531 tubing or lugs that BJ use, but i've had a go on a few new ones and when you track stand the BB moves soo much. very flexy, which means comfortable, but also increasing risk of fail :( .

it's you. you're doing it wrong.

I tried out a pals BJ last night awaits pun

Frame wasn't my size but it handled nicely... I agree about the flexing though, and as i'm a tall guy it would play on my mind if i were to buy one.

depends if you like a comfy ride.

Yep and if your light (like me) and don't need a stiffy, so to speak.

They use 631 rather than 531. It's thinner than 531 but about as stiff, it's not heat treated.

my mercian is sublime

I can ride a 100 klics in comfort

then back in the city

it goes like a figgin fighter jet

it is still surprising me

and I am having to raise my game

to get the best out of this bike

I think I might buy another one

in purple

^ That build makes my balls ache.

depends if you like a comfy ride.

WTF?

Surely everyone wants a comfy ride? Sure you will put up with a less comfy ride or maybe some would even put up with even a slightly uncombable ride as part of a trade off on quick handling e.t.c but unless you are a real freak everyone wants a comfy ride.*

*Unless you are on about sex then may people do want an uncombable ride.

Mercian has a bit more caché, perhaps, less of them about

Cachet

tommy you can still get a really stiff frame this is comfortable. but the new bj aren't stiff.

Never said you couldn't.

You said implied that people have to make the choice between flex and a comfortable ride by saying in response to Brokers agreement that BJs are flexy and it did not bother him that it "depends if you like a comfy ride". This is saying if you don't want flex you can't look for a comfortable ride. Which is what I am on about above, no one really wants a uncomfortable ride, some may except a level of compromise but really every one wants a comfy ride and that comes down to a lot of factors e.g all the complicated fit methods that I have no idea about but I hear they work well amongst other things.

Mercian is a lot pricier than BJ, though, non?

Mercian Super Vigorelli 631 = £505 inc VAT
BJ Vigorelli 631 = £345 inc VAT

I got my Vigorelli after doing some maths on a IRO Angus (£235 and a wait) and and a good paint job (about £100 and a drive to Argos Cycles).

The Bob Jackson is good value. It's finish might not be as good as a Mercian (I don't know – I don't know anyone with a new Mercian) but it's a nicer frame than the IRO Angus, Soma Rush, Surley etc. All of which are similar money.

I think Jacqui's Mercian is outstanding, haven't ridden it though.

got a photo...?

I think Jacqui's Mercian is outstanding, haven't ridden it though.

+1
Beautiful bike...

got a photo..?

Thanks everyone for saying my Candi is a nice bike. 50/14 she's a 58.5 and if its not going to hurt you youre more than welcome to giver a go.

http://www.merciancycles.com/gallery_detail.asp?ID=162
http://www.merciancycles.com/gallery_detail5d6c.html?ID=163

Jacqui, you know I love it too. 631 feels really nice.
Had a little blast on picco's rourke (used to be broken777's), made of 753 I think it is. Flipping WELL nice.

http://www.merciancycles.com/gallery_detail.asp?ID=162
http://www.merciancycles.com/gallery...6c.html?ID=163

hubada hubada....

Both are as good as each other. However it is an academic question as you wont get anything from either for £400 quid. More like £550 plus (realistically £650). As for BJ's being common. I live in London and have only seen about half a dozen in 20 years. If you live up north yorks perhaps more common but them Mercs will be more common in the e mids.

^^^Do you mean built up?^^^

Jackson frames are £400, Mercian start at £505+VAT.

There are a lot of Bob's in London these days (maybe I just notice them more, as I have one).

If I wanted to get a sweet bike right away I'd trundle into BLB and put down the cash on a Bob. If I had the patience of a few months, I'd order a Mercian and hold tight.

why not try something a little different
there are so many bob jacksons around now they are two a penny
mercian is a little bit more original i would say

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.