Mercian Professional?
 

Greetings,

Having just setup my account, I've been a longtime lurker on BF and would like to thank you guys for sharing your bikes and knowledge with the nameless, faceless people on the internet. With that said, I enjoy collecting and rehabilitating old(er) steel bicycles. I recently purchased what looks to be a quality touring bike from an estate sale and would like some help in figuring out what it is. Based on the wraparound seat stay and the bottom bracket shell "spears" - I am led to believe it might be a Mercian Professional. However, there are no decals and I am having trouble IDing the headbadge. I believe the bike has been repainted at some point as well, though it looks to be professionally done. As for components, the front and rear derailleurs are Cyclone (dated July 1977) and the brakes are Gran Compe, the crankset is SR Apex. I guess I have a couple questions for you: In late 70's early 80's did Mercian equip any of its bikes with Japanese components, as opposed to expensive Campy? Does anyone recognize the flying bird headbadge? Can anyone derive information from the serial number on the BB? Any questions for me or more pic requests will be answered ASAP. Thanks guys! -Casey


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498167http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498168http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498169http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498170http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498171http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498172http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498173

Mercian mostly sells framesets rather than complete bikes. Components are whatever the buyer decides to put on.

That bottom bracket treatment is definitely in the style of the Mercian Professional, but the seat stays and fork crown aren't typical for them, and neither are the braze-ons, or that bird. It looks more like a custom builder made it. It perhaps was modified by a custom builder from a Mercian frame and repainted. (???) Looks like a new serial number was affixed.

FYI Mercian will look up old serial numbers for a fee. They are in old files and not computerized, so takes a long time. However, I wouldn't bother. Like i said, it looks like a new serial number plate was brazed over the original one.

BTW it has touring geometry.

First, Welcome! Time to participate!

Can't help you but also can't help but comment on the long lugs! Interesting braze-on's too!

I expect someone will comment soon. Hang in there!

Mercian is still in business and, when I've emailed them, have been quick to respond.

Nothing to add in terms of the provenance of the bike but (a) I like your webname and (b) this is a really interesting looking bike. I do not think I have ever downtube bosses like that before. They look a bit like an airplane and go nicely with the long point lugs of the bike. Is the pump "peg" brazed on or not? It's not really a peg so much as a copy of the pump holder that came stock with zefal pumps when they were all one size. It's painted the same color as the bike though and looks to be brazed on. If so, that's an unusual feature as well.

The seat stay treatment around the seat lug is something I associate with Holdsworth, FWIW.

I've seen brazed on umbrella clips on a few bikes -- IIRC all British. It's a pretty rare thing.

It is similar but not like the Holdsworth stays I have seen.

Generally in agreement with above: Lots of very nice touches, but beyond the normal Mercian treatment. The pump umbrella is like those provided by Campy. I have downtime shifters with a built-in umbrella, but I've never seen one brazed on before. Same with the downtime braze-ons here. Very interesting and definitely unique.

The components merely reflect the last owner, and tell you nothing about the builder. The age of some components might suggest a dating, but the serial number does seem as if it's been given additions.

The key thing is if it fits and how does it ride? The geometry looks very comfy.

Congrats!

Oh, and Welcome!!!

Some feedback! Awesome! Thanks guys! Ok, so initially when I purchased it, my guess was that it was possibly a Holdsworth, given the wraparound seat stay. That does seem to be a British characteristic. But I couldn't find any similar lugwork in their historical lineup, so I'm not so sure anymore. Regarding the pump peg, it is brazed-on, however I am not completely certain it was original to the frame itself. Same goes with the cable guides. The work was really well done, but given it's one-offness, it doesn't seem to be 'factory'. Add to this, the bottom serial number seemingly being restamped. My guess is, similar to what Salamandrine said, this could have been a Mercian Professional frameset that was later revamped into a touring rig. Done by whom, I am not sure. But given the quality of the work, it looks professional. I emailed Mercian (through their website) yesterday, but have yet to receive any reply.

I would think that headbadge really tosses out the Mercian idea, unless it was added when the bike was repainted. It looks like it's brazed onto the headtube, rather that glued or riveted. Is that the case? The Japanese components will be found on any number of high end factory or custom built bikes from the 1970s trough now. And if the bike really was repainted, no reason not to expect the previous owner was swapping components around, too.

Those cable guide braze-ons on the down tube are really interesting, too. Never seen ones like that before. Pretty neat bike to show off on our first ever post!http://www.zoominto.com/zoomapi/ZoomButt.gif

Yes, the bird is indeed brazed on. I think this feature, more than anything else, is what has thrown me for a loop. I can't find it anywhere else, and I believe it is the key to unlocking this mystery. My hope is that someone here recognizes it.

Here is the seatlug and BB treatment on an '82 Holdsworth Special (branded as an Irish 'Harding')

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498242 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498243

edit: not the best angle, but not wraparound.

Carlton and other British builders used wrap-around stays.

Could this be the answer to your question?

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/5395411400.html

Possibly. A quick search of the name Alec Bird and this popped up: George Stratton 1969 built by Bill Gray

Check out that BB shell! Does the name Bill Gray sound familiar to anyone? Or the George W Stratton shop? I feel like we're closing in on this!

Thanks Kactus!

Very cool machine!
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I briefly had a Woodrup Giro with a near-identical wraparound stay treatment. Looked like lotsa metal and brass. That said, Mercian would build custom order, so somebody could have ordered a wraparound.

But I agree that it seems like there's too much interesting stuff for this to be production frame. More likely either a smaller British builder who was familiar with the local "vocabulary", or a frame from one of the bigger builders that was later modified.

I've definitely never seen the same downtube cable casing stops, and the bird headbadge has to be a clue. Alec Bird certainly could be a fit.

I'd think it'd be worth emailing Mercian a piccie or three to see what they think. Also check with Hilary Stone (he's on the CR list, also has a website), or Kevin Sayles (on CR, long-time British builder, still building) to see if they recognize the handiwork.

Good catch. I'm going to go with Alec Bird. It's obviously British and custom, and the features seem consistent with what I was able to find of Mr Bird's work. A quick search found a frame with a bird on the head tube. I'd do the same if my name was bird.

There must be some limeys out there that could verify this.

I had a Mercian with the wraparound seat stays and looks like the same color.The original owner said he had it built that way to add stability because it was such a large frame.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/a...n/DSCF0090.jpg

Hey guys! So I woke up this morning to an email from Mercian: "Unfortunately the lug work is not ours although we can see the resemblance. Sorry we can not throw any ideas to what the make is." - So I'd say that pretty much eliminates that.

I'm now pursuing the Alec Bird possibility. Found some pictures of why I believe this might be the best bet.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498335
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498336
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498337
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=498338

I would call that a keeper if it fits and rides well.

My dad left me a firearm that had very little information on it at the time. He was able to locate a possible manufacturer and put it on a 3x5 card. More than a decade later (today) the internet has all kinds of information about it and it has a small following with some significant value. Hanging onto something that is perceived to be small production can turn into a desirable item.