Mercian, your views. Please.
 

Hi all i am fairly new to road bikes, previously i road a Proflex Beast with 35mm road tyres. This is a great bike for riding around a forest somewhere but can be quite tiring on long distance road runs. So recently i bought an old Peugeot from the 80s in very good condition and i love it. However after being warned by my cycling neighbour that i would be 'bitten by the bug', i have been. So i am thinking of spending a bit of money on a 'proper bike'. More than likely a tourer. I have seen many frame builders advertised and whilst i accept they are probably very good, a lot of them get frames built in Taiwan. That's when i came across Mercian. They aren't that far away from me and the bikes look fab and most importantly they are made in the UK. So the question is, are they good? Would anybody recommend them?

I would like as many views as possible as its a lot of money to spend and i want to be sure.

Thanks all. Marc.

I don't know about there trouring bike but I have seen some people on road bike and track bike from them and they all seem very happy excelent work quality.

Roberts (London) is another uk framebuilder as is Bob jackson (Derbyshire I think), Argos bikes (Bristol), Barry Witcomb (London) is good as well (but has just put his prices up big style), Dave Yates (Yorkshire some where I think), Robin mather (yorkshire ish as well I think) does touring bikes they look lovely! :) http://www.robinmathercycles.co.uk/ plus he will charge you £20 EXTRA if you want a bike WITHOUT braze ons. Which is kinda cool. That all I can think of off the top of my head.

SJS cycles make thorn bikes (somerset) and I think they MAY offer a custom job, email and ask.

Thanks for that i'll have a look.

Marc.

Also check out Bob Jackson. Personally I feel that the BJ touring frame is one of the best for its price, and fully custom. Made in England as well.

Thanks tarwheel i have been looking at them and for the same frame, (631), they seem cheaper. However i seem to be drawn by the look of the graphics on the Mercian. I know thats daft, but, you know.

Lovely lugs on the Mercian. There are a few in my club.

Bob Jackson
 

Not to take anything away from Mercians, but Bob Jacksons are full custom -- and that includes paint and graphics. If you like a particular paint scheme, decals or color combination, I'm sure BJ could do it. Send them an email. I have seen some BJs with stunning paint jobs. In comparing BJs with Mercians, I lean toward the Jacksons because their geometry suits me better and prices are less (including modifications that are considered non-standard).

Another thing is that the Jackson touring frame is clearly designed for touring. The comparable Mercian frame (King of Mercia) is a compromise and more of a sport touring frame. The Jackson frame has details such as stouter tubing, longer chain stays, relaxed angles, eyelets for racks and fenders, and optional cantilever brakes that are designed for touring. You might be able to get these modifications to a Mercian frame, but you would probably pay for each change while they are standard or no-cost options with the Jacksons.

A sport touring frame such as the King of Mercia should more than suitable for short tours if you don't go overboard with the luggage.

Just last weekend, I picked up my new purpose built tourer that will take me from Alaska to Argentina, a Roberts Roughstuff:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum...age=1&nested=0

-Wayne

Thats some journey! im thinking of Southport (where i live) to maybe windermere.

once again thanks for all your replies they're all very helpful. I have been looking at the bob jackson bikes and i think i'll pay them a visit.

I have to ask though why would anyone buy a bike from a major brand when they could have a custom made for about the same money?

Ive just realised that the nice lugs on the Mercia are £80 extra on the bob jackson. Making it the same price.