Mercian Super Vigorelli

Thought I'd start a thread about my Mercian because, despite having it for a good 18 months now, it still isn't finished!

I bought the frame from Jambon who was a very good egg and passed it on at the bargain price he acquired it for - a Mercian is frankly way out of reach at normal price so I felt very fortunate.

My first build was just to get rolling as soon as possible - shown here after the Cambridge Ride this year.

I soon hit the upgrade trail in an attempt to do the frame some justice - managed to get a lot of the bits from here. Cranks changed to Campganolo Pista (via Pistoffski), Campag Centaur seatpost (The Crane), Record levers (b'jammin). Got some Campag track wheels for HH too (Social Amnesia)

I've actually found the bike lovely to ride a long way on so that's been the focus. A bike fit from Scherrit showed that the frame is a pretty decent size for me (58st, 55tt) but a new shorter stem (down to 100mm) was needed. So I have a Cinelli 1A reissue stem and Giro d'Italia reissue bars coming from Santa. The saddle has also been changed to a Brooks Swift.

This is the most recent pic I have - at the top of Ditchling on the 50/14 ride in November. You can barely see the bike but was taken the day after my bike fit.

Once the new bars & stem are in, all that remains are the new wheels. I put down a deposit in July for a set of custom mack hubs that will be laced to Open Pros with Sapim Lasers when they arrive.

I might try to borrow a proper camera then too, would be nice to have a picture that's not completely horrendous.

TL;DR I know. Essentially it's blue and I love it.

seen this is currents before. Love the pista wheels. lower stem, lighter saddle and you'll be flying.

It's a pile of shit and you really ought to just get rid of it.

By the way it'd fit me nicely.

^ I've got a feeling you've told me that before....!

And anyway, I've got a matching jumper now and I'd hate to get rid of that

i'll have it back

£20

Oh go on then.

£18

A paper bag full of cash and a dozen hookers.

£17

A paper bag full of hash and a dozen cookers.

ftfy

£16.50 and some brittle. Final offer.

I love this forum :)

Off on my holidays now but feel free to keep making offers (only I'm not sure if they're for the super awesome jersey or the bike...)

Love this with the Pista wheels, there's not much I'd rather ride.

New bars and stem for Christmas :)

Only the stem was supplied without the bloody expander bung and bolt. And it's now out of stock at Wiggle so it'll have to wait a bit before I can put it together.

Nice choice with the Giro bars, were they in light of the bike fit or had you liked the look of them?
Also we need a photo of you riding it with the matching jumper!

Nice !

I had some Giros already but needed a new shorter stem after the fit. Thought I'd get a new 1A but all the reissues are 26mm rather than 26.4mm so that meant new bars too...

My old giros were pretty ratty so it's probably a good idea to have replaced them anyway! Love the shape, just a shame the reissues are so pricey.

As soon as I get my expander bolt sorted I'll get a pic with the jersey :)

Bar tape arrived so put the new bar / stem setup together

a dummy record brake? luxurious

I know! Got them as a pair second hand so not too extravagant - I ride the hoods a lot so needed a pair and I think those cane creek beadle claw levers look horrible.

a dummy record brake? luxurious

Ha, my thought exactly..

dummy brake makes so much sense

loads more comfort, riding positions etc

or you can always get a device to run two levers on one brake

http://jtekengineering.com/AeroBrake.htm

it then means you can brake and signal for turns to either side

and the extra hood is no longer a dummy

I've got a few PMs about this bike somewhere.

Have heard from Mack - my hubs will be ready on the 11th so the very long wait is nearly over. Can't afforded to build them up for a bit so a bit of time to decide on rims / spokes

would be worth going for wider rims.