Mercian Super Vigorelli

Thanks all for the advice. I like Open Pros because I find them very easy to build a strong wheel with.

The velocity rims sound good but I don't really want a black rim - silver or hard ano is my preference. Whilst I don't really want to let looks rule over absolute performance, if function was my absolute preference I suppose I wouldn't be building up an old steel bike with a threaded headset...

So I think it's a choice between Open Pros and TB14s. I must admit I'm leaning more toward the TB14 for the wider rim. Choices choices!

The tb14 will look really nice. The rim H+son have copied is an ambrosio isnt it? Velocity aeros come in alu/ silver as well and look quite traditional.

as you seem to have record cranks, how about a set of these from campyoldy... nicer than the tb14.

http://www.euroasiaimports.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=13426&idcategory=1891

62cm and custom geometry. Hippy calls the colour irradiated baby puke. It's Lime Green flamboyant but I don't see on their site anymore.

The cream is 19 from the enamel range.

http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/colours

I would say that if you are considering getting any Merican colours, DO NOT go by the colours on the site or on the brochure. Go see the colours in person, either at the shop (like I did) or any Mercians in the flesh.

(more for people lurking or looking for advice later)

Bars and stem now on the bike. Perspective looks a bit odd as I can't get very far away from it in my sitting room.

Just wheels to go and then all done!

This really is an excellent bike.

Lovely.

The only thing I'd change is the bar plugs, some simple black ones would be better imo.

Thanks for the comments guys :)

I must admit I'm not sure about the plugs either. By all accounts the Brooks ones fall out quite promptly so my mind will probably be made up for me. Have some black Cinelli ones in the box for such an eventuality.

Hubs are finished tomorrow apparently and the pictures of TheorySwine's lovely Merckx have probably settled me on TB14s for the rims.

looks great. i have the swift / brooks bar tape combo. see how long the wooden ends last as they are so fragile. is that full record track?

I liked the look of the TB14, reckon you made a great choice on going for that rims.

bike look perfect, right down to the handlebar shape, I liked the fact there's enough flat section on the brake hood to rest your hand on comfortably.

@josh - record cranks & headset, BB is centaur (as is seat post). The only other record bits are the levers - though obviously not in the track group!

The wheelset is a cheapo system ex to open sport I put together as a stop gap until I could afford some nice hubs.

@ed - thanks! The bar setup feels brilliant, but that's probably because it's exactly where Scherrit put it.

I remember seeing such set-up, and thinking the sloped part to the hood must be uncomfortable, but I realised it was due to a poor bike fit, even now on my handlebar I actually didn't minded having the sloped part to the hood, I prefer it over the flat bar/hood combo much to my surprise.

Beauty!

Arrived today

They're beautifully made, really really impressed. Surprisingly light too.

^sexy as fuck.

I want those hubs!

They look real awesome.

I'm going for the TB14 rims, not as stiff as the A23, but anything for a classic low profile wide rims.

it gonna look fantastic mate.

Why have the Mack hubs been merged into the Mercian thread?

It's a current project (and one that I keep returning to to gawp).

Went out for a ride in the sun yesterday.

As predicted upthread, the Brooks bar plugs have long since fallen out, so have some black Cinelli ones in there now. I think it looks better on reflection.

Though just as my Brooks is breaking in nicely it's developed a bit of a creak when hitting any nasty bumps. Apparently it's the leather / bolt join at the front that usually squeaks and should be solvable with a bit of lube.

Can't wait to get the wheels built up but that'll be another month or so until I can afford the bits.

Picked up some completely inappropriate tyres in the Planet X sale to go on the wheels once they're finished.

^ u needz panaracers

Just got an email to say the spokes are on their way so I'll finally start building my wheels next week.

Mack Superlights laced to DT Swiss rr465 with DT Swiss Revolution spokes. Will easily be the lightest wheels I've ever owned, not that I expect to notice any difference.

Given that your current wheelset is reasonably light already, might be a little hard to tell when riding.

Indeed - it's really just me being a bit of a tart. Wanted the Macks and so felt obliged to lace them to something relatively nice.

That will look teh sex, especially with gumwalls.

It's all falling in to place

Just a real shame I've got to wait until this evening until I can get home and start building

Managed to pick up the matching brakeset for my levers which is nice

Nearly finished building the wheels, then I'm only a new sprocket and some new brake cable away from completion.