Mercian Superlight

Won this bike on eBay. Collection from west cumbria, right out in the stix.

I think the problem with the orig owner/builder was that he built it too nice, and somehow did not feel he could use it. Sounded like he just enjoyed geeking out, sourcing parts and building the bike, and got his enjoyment out of it that way.

Credit to him, it is reaally clean. New mech, chainset, brakes, levers and built with other decent vgc parts. Now in my ownership, I plan to finish the build off and.....probably put it on the wall! Haha

Plan so far is:

• change bar tape to black
  
• swap unicanitor saddle for b17
  
• might source new wheels/rims (current are modern open sport)
  
• new tyres
  
• campagnolo sr pista chainset?
  
• maybe in time campagnolo pedals (currents are mks)
  
  

👍

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Nice. Although while 1X is not a new concept it's still a bit odd on that bike if it was only for show.

Why don't you stick some fatter tyres on there and just ride it? It's a bike, not a painting.

Lovely bike. Geometry looks like a tt frame, hence the ‘1x’, right?

I’d just swap the pedals and tyres, and ride it like I stole it.

Yeah it's a TT frame with only one braze on and tight clearances (tyres pictured are 20mm) I think it will squeeze 23s.

If it had both braze ons, more chilled geo and clearances for 25 tyres I would consider riding it, perhaps swapping out the group for modern campag, but as is it doesn't feel very ridable.

Yeah it's a TT frame with only one braze on and tight clearances (tyres pictured are 20mm) I think it will squeeze 23s.

57t with a straight through 13t block then

This.

I didn't realise it was a TT frame as there was lots of clearance at the forks and the rear brake bridge. Shame the stays are too short.

?? Haha

Agree! If it is a TT bike there should be a bigger ring

It's a bike, not a painting.

Agree. Go with 23mm tyres, smaller chainring, double-up on bar tape and the B17 will soak up some road-buzz. Nice bike, needs to be ridden. Those cable-guides are pretty, are they standard on superlights?

Straight through = 1t increments between the gears. 13,14,15,16,17t. 18t if you're soft.

Perfect for LFGSS Gravelbros

57/13 on 23mm is smaller than 46/11 on 2" 650b!

what does the brass thing do on the rear brake?
Is it grit/crud catcher?
Really lovely bike BTW.

Could just go 16,16,16,16,16,16 for the lolz, puts a new meaning to singlespeed

I've not seen them but I'm no expert on mercians.

What I was wondering also, is that it is supposed to be a 1978 frame but has semi-vertical dropouts. Would have thought they would be horizontal.

Yh, the brass thing the builder fitted to stop grit carrying through and scratching the back of the seat tube. Makes sense when clearances are tightish

Flint catcher. Designed to stop punctures as sharp things rarely puncture as you go over them the first time, just work in over time.

I'm looking around for potential rims or wheels but don't really know where to begin. Especially rims of that 70s 80s era. Hubs will prob be low flange super record though might consider hf. Rims just something polished, old and boxy. Hilary Stone has these Campagnolo Gamma Strada - http://hilarystone.com/images/sale%20images/Rims%20Clincher%20700C/RC700-25.jpg

Then there are the Mavic red label ones, Monthlery etc, or the module e2 (which are clinchers).

I'd prefer clinchers because I already have a pair of veloflex records, but tubs might be a more suitable choice. Have no idea really. Fir, Nisi, Campagnolo, Mavic, there must be more..? Any suggestions?

Fiamme Ergal Yellow

There's some Fiamme wheels on eBay that look quite good.

What about these? A bit unusual with 24 spokes each but I quite like the look of them. Yh/no? I'm assuming the wcs is covering the grease port on the hub? They're pianni built by Pete matthews

How period correct would 24 spoke be? Will certainly be 'compliant' I'd imagine!

Haha I know! But it's not getting ridden anyway 😂

Go for 36 hole then? Or 32?

Sourced me a nice condition 80s b17 narrow with sturmey archer logo.

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It looks like a bit of a couch! Not as sleek as the unicanitor

I think that would be 28/28 era?

You gonna trim the saddle? Doesn't suit as it is imo.

I wouldn't know where to begin trimming it. But yeah, looks crap.