Touring - Touring Component Group Recommendations

I need help selecting a group for my new bike build. Bike is Mercian King of Mercia new made with Reynolds 531.

The bike will be used for credit card touring at best - 95% of the rides are weekend group rides of 30-70 miles with occasional century rides.

So, I don't need an all-out fully loaded touring set-up. I have some medical problems so I do benefit from llower gear ratios - I'd like to get down to a 32 in the rear if possible and probably stay with just a 30 up front for granny gears - a triple like that should be sufficient.

I'd like to use Campy Record Index shifting and use Record Ergo brifters if possible because I like them and they can be repaired.

Rear is 130 spacing. Campy drop outs. Chorus threaded headset with Nitto Noodle bars and Nitto stem.

I''l use Mavic Open Pro Wheels. 700 with 23 tires

Front derailleur must be a 28.6 clamp-on.

So - what are your specific buying recommendations given the above criteria for the following purchases:

front der
rear der
cassette
bb
crankset and chainrings
chain
brakes (typical allen bolt type - normal road bike brakes that will work with the Campy record brifters - if the brifters will work with the other components).

I need these components to be compatible with each other. My major problems so far in locating components are parts compatibility, front derailleur clamp-on 28.6 mm diameter that's works with a triple set and 10 in the rear (will a triple derailleur work with a 9 or 10 speed config), and chainrings.

In making your recommendations, keep in mind I need to go out and buy the group, so if you have a favorite bike that's several years old, well, letting me know why you like your set-up may be good reading but may not help me build my bike. I need practical specific buying advice for a set of components meeting my criteria that will really work together that I can take to an on-line bike e-tailer and order in the next two weeks and receive in short order (get bike built by Feb 1).

Thanks - ands HAPPY NEW YEAR

There's only one group for you - Campy Centaur.

You're not likely to find a 32T cog on a Campy cassette. 29 is as low as they go. I built my Mercian with a mix of Centaur and non-carbon Chorus. I'm not a fan of carbon fiber components on a classic bike like a Mercian and it's getting harder to avoid on the higher end groups. My suggestion is to get a Centaur or Veloce group and be done with it. Skip the lame AC-S and AC-H bottom bracket though.

If your bike was designed with room for fenders, you might need long reach brakes. If so, Campy won't work without a drop bolt. Shimano and Tektro both make some nice long reach calipers.

If you get a Campy chain, use a Wipperman connex link instead of the special tool and closure from Campy. Or just use a Wipperman chain.

Unless you are very patient, it's usually cheaper to buy parts as a group or a build kit. Unfortunately if you get brakes that don't fit or something, you might need eBay what doesn't work.

The other issue that might give you trouble is the front derailleur. You might have trouble finding anything in a 28.6mm clamp. They're out there, but getting harder to find.

While it is possible do some mixing of Shimano and Campy drivetrain components, it's probably not something you want to do without a very good reason, especially with your time constraints.

Centaur front derailler not available in 28.6 clamp on, which is one of the issues I am asking for help on.


There's only one group for you - Campy Centaur.

Centaur front derailler not available in 28.6 clamp on, which is one of the issues I am asking for help on.
If you can't find a year or two old 28.6 triple FD, you can get a shim to fit a 32mm FD. Campy part DP-30-31. Branford sells them.

You could also ask Mercian. They may have some stock. They certainly know what they do for their builds.

I had a Campy triple but I wouldnt recomend it. The BCD is too big and you have no option to fit smaller rings. Go for a Specialized TA chainset. This is a tapered square fitting, so use a Phil Woods BB if you are rich or a Shimano UN72 .
Shimano long drop brakes are excellent and quite compatable with Record levers.

Mark is buying a Mercian and should have the compete bike built up there as well. They're pretty well established after 60 years and should be able to judge these things pretty well.

http://www.merciancycles.com/frame_images/IMG_2095_large.jpg

One thing that puzzles me is your use of Open Pros and 700x23 tyres on a King of Mercia, you seem to be putting road tyres on a touring bike. Nothing really wrong with that, but with your audax style of riding why not get the Mercian Audax Special frame

You also mention some medical issues, given that it, might be good to make your bike a bit more comfortable so I'd recommend putting 700 x28 or 32s on the King of Mercia and spend money on some really nice hubs and rims. I like White Industries Racer X hubs and Velocity Dyad rims for credit card and loaded touring.

Mark is buying a Mercian and should have the compete bike built up there as well. They're pretty well established after 60 years and should be able to judge these things pretty well.

http://www.merciancycles.com/frame_images/IMG_2095_large.jpg

I was under the impression he bought a frame and was looking for parts to do his own build.


One thing that puzzles me is your use of Open Pros and 700x23 tyres on a King of Mercia, you seem to be putting road tyres on a touring bike. Nothing really wrong with that, but with your audax style of riding why not get the Mercian Audax Special frame

You also mention some medical issues, given that it, might be good to make your bike a bit more comfortable so I'd recommend putting 700 x28 or 32s on the King of Mercia and spend money on some really nice hubs and rims. I like White Industries Racer X hubs and Velocity Dyad rims for credit card and loaded touring.

Although he hasn't told us whether he got the touring or racing geometry, the KoM will probably be fine for his riding. It's how I use mine (albeit with 28mm tires). Dyads are overkill and overweight for unloaded touring, although they are cheaper. OPs are perfect. I'm also skeptical of the purported benefits of boutique hubs. Even PW are hard to justify from a cost perspective. But that's just me.

Actually, I'm not sure if I got racing or tour geometry - I did not know to ask them!!! I did find out it's 130mm spacing in rear!!!

I want to use 700x23 because that's a whole lot lighter for riding unloaded rides on Saturdays of 50 mile duration on OP rims and Ultegra hubs that a rim with big 'ole touring tires. I got the KOM because it's 10mm longer in wheelbase than Audax model with a litle more fork rake so will be more comfy.

I am more interested in derailleur brake bb shifter recommendations than wheels and such. I have wheels to use - just need the other build kit parts.

Actually, I'm not sure if I got racing or tour geometry - I did not know to ask them!!! I did find out it's 130mm spacing in rear!!!

I want to use 700x23 because that's a whole lot lighter for riding unloaded rides on Saturdays of 50 mile duration on OP rims and Ultegra hubs that a rim with big 'ole touring tires. I got the KOM because it's 10mm longer in wheelbase than Audax model with a litle more fork rake so will be more comfy.

I am more interested in derailleur brake bb shifter recommendations than wheels and such. I have wheels to use - just need the other build kit parts.

The touring model has a longer wheelbase than the Audax, the race doesn't. If they told you it had a longer wheelbase, it's probably the touring model. My KoM is set up for long reach sidepull brakes because that's what I specified. Since yours is "off the rack", I don't know what kind of reach it needs. You'll have to ask Mercian.

The BB will be 68mm English threaded. Get the new Centaur or better. Avoid the ACH or ACS.

For shifters, the Veloce and Centaur are essentially the same. Chorus and Record have a bunch of Carbon. I think you can still go with barcons and levers and save a bit of money if that's a concern.

If you are getting a triple and 29t rear derailleur, you should probably get the long cage rear derailleur although a medium =might= work.

The Mercian arrived today - I picked her up at the FedEx station this evening. How's that for delivery service - shipped from Derby England Thursday and she's in my basement ready to be built-up Friday evening.

She has 130mm rear spacing with traditional road Campy dropouts. She's built for short reach brakes.

How do I measure chainstay length - from middle of bb to end of dropouts (430mm) or from midlde of bb to middle of dropouts (420mm)???

You can go with a new 10-speed hub (largest cog is only 27T) and still get a low gear of ~0.8, and a close gear spacing of ~13-14 inches, if you team it up with an XT or XTR crank (e.g., 22/32/46 or 26/36/48); otherwise, I'd go with at least a 1:1, e.g., a Shimano triple with 30T inner chain ring and a 9-spd cog that goes to 30T (32T as you mentioned, but at 0.94, it still is about 1:1. :)

I have a new Viner Competition with Ultegra and DA that I built in early September, but I never rode it. I took it out for a few tests around the block and a short shake-down ride to stretch cables and such. To afford the Mercian and the parts I listed it in eBay for around $200 less than the sale price on-line but I got no bids. So I plan to take off most of the parts (I'll leave the handlebars stem headset bb cranks and front derailleur) and use the STI shifters brakes and rear derailleur on the new Mercian and buy a new bb crank and front derailleur. I already bought a Nittto Noodle and a new threaded stem. I think I'll also get one of those Century cassettes from Harris Cyclery. This group will cost me less than Campy because I already have a lot of the parts.

Here's pics of the new babe !