MAK
10-02-12, 02:29 PM
Not sure of the year but I know it's been well taken care of. Comments regarding Mercian quality would be appreciated. Any guess as to its current value?
276138
276138
Touring - Can anyone identify this Mercian
Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.View Full Version : Can anyone identify this Mercian
gnome
10-02-12, 03:18 PM
Not sure what model it is. That is an interesting front rack on it. Mercian are a well requarded English brand and are still in business making quality handmade bicycles today.
Edit: You may have more luck getting an id on what model it is in the C & V sub-forum.
Edit: You may have more luck getting an id on what model it is in the C & V sub-forum.
unterhausen
10-02-12, 03:56 PM
That is one of the original Blackburn front racks. Looks like it has a Blackburn rear rack too. I'm sure the frame was competently built
fietsbob
10-02-12, 04:06 PM
I think they still are in business, but you need to look at details , like lug style,
to see any of the brand's model subspecies.. do the google..
to see any of the brand's model subspecies.. do the google..
MichaelW
10-02-12, 04:25 PM
King of Mercia, similar looking build and vintage UK£700 (http://www.lfgss.com/thread43230.html)
Mercians are well regarded, esp for their fancy lugs and fetch a good price but are nice riders rather than collectables.
They are AFAIK the only bike still made by open hearth brazing rather than the usual oxy-acetylene torch.
Mercians are well regarded, esp for their fancy lugs and fetch a good price but are nice riders rather than collectables.
They are AFAIK the only bike still made by open hearth brazing rather than the usual oxy-acetylene torch.
fietsbob
10-02-12, 06:15 PM
Torch array Jigs are what I've seen, maybe the same thing..
Gazelle 531 race frames used that sort of tooling.
seen myself in the 90's .
Lugs really lend themselves to this tooling, for batch building ,
a run of same size frames.
Brompton now has redesigned their Hinge to tube joint
to make the smart work the jig, rather than the hand skills
of the fillet brazer.
De skilling jobs and increasing the parts per hour is the productivity gain..
Gazelle 531 race frames used that sort of tooling.
seen myself in the 90's .
Lugs really lend themselves to this tooling, for batch building ,
a run of same size frames.
Brompton now has redesigned their Hinge to tube joint
to make the smart work the jig, rather than the hand skills
of the fillet brazer.
De skilling jobs and increasing the parts per hour is the productivity gain..
saddlesores
10-02-12, 10:15 PM
http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/frames/22/king-of-mercia
MAK
10-02-12, 11:49 PM
Thank you all for your responses. I took the advice above and posted on the C & V threads and haven't received a response yet (actually one response that it looked nice). I guess the Touring people are the friendlier group
bullwinkle
10-03-12, 09:01 AM
Looks like a King of Mercia. I own a Vincitore Special and am a huge fan of Mercian. Exceptional workmanship and paint jobs, and great folks to work with when having a custom frame fabricated (as I did with mine).
If you provide them with the serial numbers (there should be two, one is the frame number and the other is a builder identifier), they will tell you the exact model and year, as well as the name of their employee who built the frame. I think they charge for this service, however.
If you provide them with the serial numbers (there should be two, one is the frame number and the other is a builder identifier), they will tell you the exact model and year, as well as the name of their employee who built the frame. I think they charge for this service, however.
Alekhine
10-03-12, 11:28 AM
Also an unabashed Mercian fanboy. They built a really great frame for me several years ago and followed my wishes to the letter, and it's top notch in riding quality, function, and aesthetics. Except for occasionally my Bike Friday it's pretty much the only bike I ride at all anymore.
tarwheel
10-03-12, 02:26 PM
I agree that it's probably a King of Mercia. That is their main touring frame, although they can customize the geometry of just about all of their models.
Ciufalon
10-03-12, 05:01 PM
I would say that it is more of an Audax model. Possibly older by a some years. Notice there is a single bottle mount and single eyelets on the fork. I can't see how many eyelets are on the rear dropout.
IMO, the rear fender also needs to be attached in a manner that lines up better with the tire it is covering. Needs a spacer at the BB bridge.
IMO, the rear fender also needs to be attached in a manner that lines up better with the tire it is covering. Needs a spacer at the BB bridge.
MAK
10-23-12, 11:01 PM
It appears to be a 1980 Olympic. The serial number confirmed the year and I just saw pictures of the exact bike that was rebuilt on either this or the C & V Appraisals ... forum in a search. The King of Mercia has a heart design at the lugs which this one does not have. Right now it's in the shop having water bottle attachments installed and having the brake cables replaced. I will replace the fenders with a wider and deeper fender for more coverage. Yes, they are Blackburn racks. I'll probably replace the rear rack with a Racktime ADDit that I have. It's an interesting mix of what I think are original components along with some updated parts. It rides really well and I'm very pleased.
I'll use it for some commuting and hope to do some light to medium touring. I presume that some of you who responded own Mercians and tour so if anyone has any comments or suggestions I'm happy to hear them.
I'll use it for some commuting and hope to do some light to medium touring. I presume that some of you who responded own Mercians and tour so if anyone has any comments or suggestions I'm happy to hear them.