I am also going to have to put Mercian in a different catagory. They have not really changed over the past few decades. Their offerings have gotten a tad more modern, but they basically build them as they did 40 years ago, with a handfull of builders. Although they were acquired some time ago by a consortium that bought up Hetchens and some other small Brittish builders, my understanding is that they have been largey left alone. They are traditional, but not the sort that has someone's name (or someone's relative's name) on the tubes.

This is very different than what has happened to Herse and some others where bought and are still being produced by others. I do not wish to diminish Mr. Heine's apparant dedication to the mark; and he has certainly tried to continue the tradition and styling that has been Herse's trademark over the years. However, I cannot help but either put his venture into some sort of "tribute brand / retroduction", or as some sort of high-end version of what has happened to GT/Schwinn/Raleigh and others. Again, I do not wish to criticize as he has done a good job in the setting up the production of fine stuff. Mr. Nobilette is a fine builder. Yet I cannot equate what is being produced today under the Herse name compared to what was being produced 10/20 years ago. It is not the same.