Touring - King of Mercia Rear Spacing

Need some more help in building out my new bike.

I have not decided on wheels and hubs yet for my new Mercian King of Mercia (Reynolds 531 and yes it's new from Derby factory arriving late this week). I plan to buy the Campagnolo Chorus group, but had not yet figured out or decided on the wheels and hubs. Any suggestions? Is there anything special about spacing on rear hub required for these bikes? I assume rear uses 130mm spaced??

Specifically - can I use standard 130mm spaced hubs?? I am assuming so, but you never know. Any King riders out there - let me know. What about hubs and rear spacing and what wheels/hubs do you use?

I don't do long cross-country tours with panniers - I just do 30-80 mile weekend group rides and the occasional century 100 miler.

Thanks and Happy New Year !!!!!

This is something you really should check with Mercian before you recieve the bike. When you have chosen your hubs they will spread the rear chainsays to make it fit but if you leave it then you will have to do it yourself or pay to have it done.
I had a custom-built Vincetori and had to spread the stays to accomodate a 9 speed block when I updated but it's better to let Mercian do it if possible.

Hi mark,

For my KoM, I specified what I wanted them to do with the spacing and all other things about the frame. The beauty of custom is that it's built for you, so you can have a hand in every decision about it. I'm assuming you just left the rear hub spacing line blank on the ordering form, and I'm surprised Grant didn't email you to clarify.

Since mine was built with Rohloff-specific dropouts, I set the spacing in the rear at 135 mm, as this is what the Rohloff requires. I'm afraid I can't help you with the Chorus stuff though, as the only Chorus I'm putting on my bike is the crankset.

http://www.clan4m.com/oistrakh/mercian005.jpg
http://www.clan4m.com/oistrakh/mercian007.jpg

All front spacings are 120 mm.

Road bike rear spacing standard is 130 mm.

Mountain bike standard is 135 mm.

Mercian will make changes if you want them but if you don't specify it they will be the standard spacing.

Need some more help in building out my new bike.

I have not decided on wheels and hubs yet for my new Mercian King of Mercia (Reynolds 531 and yes it's new from Derby factory arriving late this week). I plan to buy the Campagnolo Chorus group, but had not yet figured out or decided on the wheels and hubs. Any suggestions? Is there anything special about spacing on rear hub required for these bikes? I assume rear uses 130mm spaced??

Specifically - can I use standard 130mm spaced hubs?? I am assuming so, but you never know. Any King riders out there - let me know. What about hubs and rear spacing and what wheels/hubs do you use?

I don't do long cross-country tours with panniers - I just do 30-80 mile weekend group rides and the occasional century 100 miler.

Thanks and Happy New Year !!!!!

The Mercian website says that the KOM standard rear hub spacing is 135mm, but a quick email
or phone call should confirm this.

I just went through the process of choosing a wheel set for a tourer. I'm 200lbs and plan to use the bike to commute and also tour so I was concerned to get something strong and long lasting that was still ok for unloaded road riding. I ended up with White Industries Racer X hubs with Velocity Dyad 36 spoke rims. I think the rims are the place to spend some cash and get quality

All front spacings are 120 mm. ...


Is it a typo? Standard front hub spacing is 100 mm and has been for quite a while.

That's a beautiful bike - that's why I bought a Mercian.

They replied today and said it's 130mm.

BTW I see yours is a Reynolds 531 frame, too !!!


Hi mark,

For my KoM, I specified what I wanted them to do with the spacing and all other things about the frame. The beauty of custom is that it's built for you, so you can have a hand in every decision about it. I'm assuming you just left the rear hub spacing line blank on the ordering form, and I'm surprised Grant didn't email you to clarify.

Since mine was built with Rohloff-specific dropouts, I set the spacing in the rear at 135 mm, as this is what the Rohloff requires. I'm afraid I can't help you with the Chorus stuff though, as the only Chorus I'm putting on my bike is the crankset.

http://www.clan4m.com/oistrakh/mercian005.jpg
http://www.clan4m.com/oistrakh/mercian007.jpg