A Barber's Mercian Tourer

nice paint job, i've seen quite a few Mercian's around London since the sun popped out.. great rides, where are you planning on going on it?

Everywhere! And anywhere....want to do the South Downs over the summer from London. And also venturing further north towards Cambridge and out to East.

First few distances will be to my parents gaff just outside of Brighton - 40 odd miles.

Got this booked in Balfe's finally!

Should ahve this built up next weekend! Friday win!!

Which Balfe?

On East Dulwich Road, bottom of my road.

Is she built???? I want to see....

show me show me show me show me

This has taken a back seat the past few weeks. Been crazy busy with work and weekends. Had a hour free this arvo so attempted a little mock up:

I've all the parts now, tomorrow looks like decent weather so I'll hopefully break the back of the build tomorrow :D

Still need to get a saddle, I've got a Laser on the cougar and love it, what do you reckon:

I remember someone on here had these which I thought were pretty sweet too:

Updates sooooooooon...

Maybe not, WTF?!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-CINELLI-VOLARE-SLX-SADDLE-RARE-90S-BEAUTY-/281020170122?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item416e1b7f8a

fucking bargain - SLX is the bomb picked mine up for £40 though!!!

Hhahaha looks like it! Think I'll hold out for a non-NOS bargain!

Getting there slowly......

Can't believe this isn't finished yet.

Do you need me to pop round with my spanners?:)

I know! I know! Been lacking the drive to get this done. It wil be done before the end of the week :D

Yeeehaaaaaaa

Right, think I might have a saddle sorted! Whoop!

Can someone please tell me if I should be getting downtube barrel adjusters or not? I've read pros and cons.

Are they worth it? I haven't ordered any, as I've got a clamp on bracket for the DT cables.

Thoughts appreciated.

I have them simply to hold the cables. I don't really use the adjusters though, rd has adjuster on it and front never seems to need tweaking. I don't think it would be worth paying for adjusters if you have something already that works.

Finally, when on its first ride today, here's how she looks. To say I am happy with it is a real understatement!

Rides absolutely beautifully, apart from a rubbing front fender all is good.

May need to reduce the size length of the stem a touch but we will see, for now at least, here's how it is:

Sorry the hipstagram it's all I got:

giving your saddle position, I would says a lots more, what length is that stem? 120mm?

120mm with obviously 30mm layback, think I'd need 80mm stem or keep the 120mm and scrap the seat post for an inline.

seattube look very slack, keep riding with the 120mm stem and see where your hand end up around the hood to decided how much shorter you need it.

Mudguard stays need reducing. Nice bike.

Wish the barber's on my Mercian went all the way to the clusters, I don't know why but mine stops short.

Cheers Ed, I'll keep it as is and dial it in over the next few months.

Skully - I don't have an eyelet for the rear of the mudguard so it's held in place by a bracket around the rear stay hence its not uniform around the tyre!

What's yours like Skully?

An inline may not solve the reach issue as with old saddle, there's less rail than modern saddle (especially Brooks), also putting the saddle closer to the bottom bracket may put too much pressure on the handlebar due to shifting your weight on it - something you want to avoid with a tourer.

Also those handlebar are longer than a classic bar too.

I reckon a 100-90mm would be fine, but like I said earlier, keep riding it and see where your hand end up on the bar - then get the correct stem length to put your hand on the brake hood.

Cheers Ed, I'll let you know how it goes. Love the feel of the newbaums tape!

Can you recommend any beginner (gentle) audaux touring rides/routes?