New Frame Day - Mercian
09-27-16, 05:54 AM
#26
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What are the standard seat and chain stays made out of? If you order the 631 OS or 853 tubes, is it safe to assume the rest of the tubes (i.e. stays) are the same? I know that Bob Jackson uses 525 for the stays and Reynolds "R" for the fork blades as standard regardless of which tubeset you go with. Of course you can pay for the extra upgrades to 631/725 stays and fork blades.
What is the norm with Mercian? I've asked Mercian twice and have yet to get an answer.
What is the norm with Mercian? I've asked Mercian twice and have yet to get an answer.
09-27-16, 08:47 AM
#27
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If you order an 853 OS frame, the stays are 725 OS. This goes for Mercian, BJ, or any frame builder. Reynolds doesn't make 853 or 631 OS (I think?) stays. I don't remember about the fork. Seems like all the info is on the website somewhere. There was also a lot of info at the old Bob Jackson "unofficial" website that apparently has been taken down. I think it was run by a US distributor.
Anyhow, part of the reason I went with 725 OS overall is that the stays and fork would be 725 whether I used 853 or not. Besides, I'd rather not have the main tubes any thinner than they are now for a touring bike. I didn't want a 'truck' but I'd need it to be tough.
725 is basically the replacement for 753 and just as strong. It's good stuff.
Difference in OS stays is pretty small. The big ends are the same as old 531, but the small ends are 2mm bigger in diameter.
Anyhow, part of the reason I went with 725 OS overall is that the stays and fork would be 725 whether I used 853 or not. Besides, I'd rather not have the main tubes any thinner than they are now for a touring bike. I didn't want a 'truck' but I'd need it to be tough.
725 is basically the replacement for 753 and just as strong. It's good stuff.
Difference in OS stays is pretty small. The big ends are the same as old 531, but the small ends are 2mm bigger in diameter.
09-27-16, 12:57 PM
#28
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Thanks for the info! I'll have to search some more on their site.
I'd really like to find out about their 631/631 OS frames. Do they use 525 like BJ, I wonder??
I'd really like to find out about their 631/631 OS frames. Do they use 525 like BJ, I wonder??
10-12-16, 06:27 PM
#29
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Here's some pictures of the completed new Mercian. That is to say, here are some pics of the bike as I have it set up now. Some things are likely to change. Shown here with the semi speedy wheels and no racks yet, though it does have the obligatory Carradice bag of a British tourist. 
I've been a bit under the weather but still managed to take it for a couple laps in the park last weekend. It is perfect.
Despite being a fairly heavy duty frame for loaded touring, it is as light as my Masi, but more responsive, and I am very pleased. The 725 OS tubeset works! It has old school touring angles and a long wheelbase, so it still rides like a caddy. I'm trying out the Swift that I got a good deal on last year. Seems pretty good, but it's a rather extreme T shape compared to a B17. I wasn't sore after ~30 miles despite it being brand new and me not bothering to wear cycling shorts, so time will tell.
It has fizik fake suede tape on there for now. It feels great, but I'm not really feeling it aesthetically. Might switch to double wrapped cotton or something.
In the late afternoon as requested:
In Griffith park. Some may recognize this spot.
I've been a bit under the weather but still managed to take it for a couple laps in the park last weekend. It is perfect.
Despite being a fairly heavy duty frame for loaded touring, it is as light as my Masi, but more responsive, and I am very pleased. The 725 OS tubeset works! It has old school touring angles and a long wheelbase, so it still rides like a caddy. I'm trying out the Swift that I got a good deal on last year. Seems pretty good, but it's a rather extreme T shape compared to a B17. I wasn't sore after ~30 miles despite it being brand new and me not bothering to wear cycling shorts, so time will tell. It has fizik fake suede tape on there for now. It feels great, but I'm not really feeling it aesthetically. Might switch to double wrapped cotton or something.
In the late afternoon as requested:
In Griffith park. Some may recognize this spot.
10-12-16, 10:48 PM
#31
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Looking fantastic!
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10-13-16, 04:25 AM
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Looks great! I know you are still changing out parts, imho needs some tan walled tires 
. Keep the pics coming, love the bike.
. Keep the pics coming, love the bike.
10-13-16, 05:00 AM
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You should post the crankset in the "good looking modern components" thread. That is better looking than anything I saw posted yet.
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Last edited by chewybrian; 10-13-16 at 08:06 AM.
10-13-16, 08:38 AM
#34
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Thanks all.
chewybrian - I took your advice and posted it. It's a great crank.
Vonruden: lol. I'm glad you are a vintage grouch. I actually though I was ordering tan walls, but the picture and description didn't match. I also have some Fairweather 700x28 i may try sometime. The black is starting to grow on me though, as it reminds me of my old Herc 3 speed. I did sharpie out the logos since taking the pic.
chewybrian - I took your advice and posted it. It's a great crank.
Vonruden: lol. I'm glad you are a vintage grouch. I actually though I was ordering tan walls, but the picture and description didn't match. I also have some Fairweather 700x28 i may try sometime. The black is starting to grow on me though, as it reminds me of my old Herc 3 speed.
I did sharpie out the logos since taking the pic.
10-13-16, 12:23 PM
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Great looking bike Sal!! The cranks are pretty baddazz too!
Why did you go with a threadless set up over threaded? I prefer threadless too but with my recent BJ frame, I decided on threaded, but I am still wondering if I made the wrong choice.
Ya got any pics of your Masi? Post pics of your Masi with your latest steed!!!
Why did you go with a threadless set up over threaded? I prefer threadless too but with my recent BJ frame, I decided on threaded, but I am still wondering if I made the wrong choice.
Ya got any pics of your Masi? Post pics of your Masi with your latest steed!!!
10-13-16, 02:32 PM
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Looks great, enjoy the ride!
10-13-16, 03:25 PM
#38
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Very nice. It may not be "vintage," but it certainly is "classic." It would even qualify for Eroica California 2017 if you put on clip-and-strap pedals. (They've changed the rules for the Calif ride to allow non-brifter aero brake levers.)
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10-13-16, 06:13 PM
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How does the Sugino Mighty tour differ from the Alpina 2?
10-14-16, 08:12 AM
#41
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Great looking bike Sal!! The cranks are pretty baddazz too!
Why did you go with a threadless set up over threaded? I prefer threadless too but with my recent BJ frame, I decided on threaded, but I am still wondering if I made the wrong choice.
Ya got any pics of your Masi? Post pics of your Masi with your latest steed!!!
Why did you go with a threadless set up over threaded? I prefer threadless too but with my recent BJ frame, I decided on threaded, but I am still wondering if I made the wrong choice.
Ya got any pics of your Masi? Post pics of your Masi with your latest steed!!!
AFA threadless vs threaded, I think good arguments can be made for each. I don't think you made the wrong choice with your Bob Jackson. What's going on with that anyway, are the details all hammered out?
I don't have any pics of the Masi. You are right, I should take some. Probably should clean it up a bit. It is also black.
10-14-16, 08:17 AM
#42
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IIRC (??) the Mighty Tour is forged 2000 series aluminum (I forget which one) and I think the Alpina is 6000. I suspect slight upgrades here and there in the chainrings, finish and such. Ultegra vs Dura Ace? Or perhaps it is Dura Ace 7900 vs 9000. I don't know for sure.
I had looked at cheaper Sugino like the ones Riv likes, but I wanted a bit nicer fit and finish. I suppose I'm spoiled after years of riding Campy NR, Dura Ace, et al.
I had looked at cheaper Sugino like the ones Riv likes, but I wanted a bit nicer fit and finish. I suppose I'm spoiled after years of riding Campy NR, Dura Ace, et al.
10-14-16, 03:31 PM
#43
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I went threadless mostly because that's what comes with OS tubing, and I wanted OS. My thinking was that as steel tech has advance and moved towards higher strength, it follows that tube walls get thinner. That makes the bike lighter, sure, but also more flexible -- MOE across steel types is more or less constant. Moving to slightly fatter tubes makes the bike lighter, stronger and stiffer.
AFA threadless vs threaded, I think good arguments can be made for each. I don't think you made the wrong choice with your Bob Jackson. What's going on with that anyway, are the details all hammered out?
I don't have any pics of the Masi. You are right, I should take some. Probably should clean it up a bit. It is also black.
AFA threadless vs threaded, I think good arguments can be made for each. I don't think you made the wrong choice with your Bob Jackson. What's going on with that anyway, are the details all hammered out?
I don't have any pics of the Masi. You are right, I should take some. Probably should clean it up a bit. It is also black.
10-14-16, 04:15 PM
#44
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10-28-16, 11:50 AM
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Mercian is a bit hard to get a hold of - anyone order/get a frame recently? I found a blog post somewhere talking about a 6month wait - is this true?
10-28-16, 12:02 PM
#46
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FWIW, they told me it would be a 10 month wait when I ordered the above frame around this time last year. However, as it turned out it was only an 9 month wait.
So more than likely 6 mo minimum. Maybe they've added some staff and managed to get the production time down since then, I don't know.
So more than likely 6 mo minimum. Maybe they've added some staff and managed to get the production time down since then, I don't know.
Last edited by Salamandrine; 10-28-16 at 12:18 PM. Reason: can't add
10-28-16, 12:20 PM
#48
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Gives you time to pick out the parts...
10-28-16, 10:38 PM
#49
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Wow, 10 months?!?!? I'm glad I chose a BJ!! . Mine is only a 5-6 week wait, and I'm already impatient at 2.weeks!!!
. Mine is only a 5-6 week wait, and I'm already impatient at 2.weeks!!!
10-29-16, 07:10 AM
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