Mercian Cycles to close

[T4tomo]

Part of me would love a bespoke steel frame from the likes of Mercian but I know that after lots of measurements and testing I’d end up with something with nearly identical geometry to an off the shelf frame. That’s the downside of being average! So for me the likes of Spa and Thorn are all I need. It is sad to see the traditional names go.

No - that's the plus side of being average, you don't need something wit bespoke tube lengths you can buy something much cheaper made from the the builders standard jigs.

Whilst is sad that there companies go to the wall, you can "build" a bespoke modern steel bike, from a vintage frame*, you can even respray them so they look new and stick a modern groupset on them or go the whole hog and have a bigger headtube brazed in so a modern headset carbon fork will fit.

*Or you can keep them original and just enjoy riding them!

I think that it is pretty clear that being a steel frame maker in the UK is either a vanity business or one where you seek out customer willing to pay way more than the frame is worth based on time and materials. For example Argos

or you buy one already built for a fraction of the cost....
https://argoscycles.com/items-for-sale/

 

[Ian H]

With full bespoke, you get to choose frame materials as well as geometry and handling characteristics. Choose whatever braze-ons you require, and other touches not available off-the-shelf.

 

[Dogtrousers]

With full bespoke, you get to choose frame materials as well as geometry and handling characteristics. Choose whatever braze-ons you require, and other touches not available off-the-shelf.

I don't think I'd understand what I was asking for so I suspect such subtlety would be lost on me.

All the same it's very sad that an old established business has gone, reducing the options for those who do understand such things.

 

[raleighnut]

When I last visited, Mercian had a dozen or more main triangles hanging in a row, presumably waiting for custom forks and stays to customer requirements. So not quite full bespoke.

I'll bet they were all different, with varied angles and sizes to suit the purpose the bikes would be used for, cuts down on the build time.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

When I used to frequent the shop in the 80’s they had a vast array of off the peg frames on display or you could order your own bespoke one. One of my clubmates got them to a make one up with a very flashy and very unique stars and stripes paint job. He was dismayed to notice a little while later that his design had proved so eyecatching that they were now using it on one of their off the peg frames prominently displayed in the front window. Still flashy but now no longer unique ! I believe he complained and got some sort of settlement from them.

 

[Ian H]

I'll bet they were all different, with varied angles and sizes to suit the purpose the bikes would be used for, cuts down on the build time.

My guess would be different sizes, standard angles, that being what most frame-builders did. Different angles would mean special lugs, or lugless construction.

 

[Cycleops]

I bought my Mercian from Beta Bikes in West End Lane, West Hampstead. They had several frames all hung up in various colours and sizes. That was in the late eighties. You'll never seen that again. My friend Clive still has it in Hampton and uses it regularly.

 

[pawl]

The 'top level' 531 frames sold by Sid Mottrams in Leicester were built by Mercian

I had one of those

 

[Jameshow]

I bought my Mercian from Beta Bikes in West End Lane, West Hampstead. They had several frames all hung up in various colours and sizes. That was in the late eighties. You'll never seen that again. My friend Clive still has it in Hampton and uses it regularly.

It just seems like a century ago... So much has changed over the past 30yrs.

 

[Aravis]

I'm reminded that when I bought my Mercian my existing bike was a Revell, and I had no idea at the time that I might already have had a Mercian.

Sadly this can no longer be checked as the Revell rusted into oblivion in 2008. When I took it to the council dump, a member of staff pointed me to the relevant skip. I indicated that I needed a moment, and he seemed to get it.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

When I took it to the council dump

Recycling surely?

 

[cyberknight]

Mercian to continue

https://road.cc/content/news/mercian-cycles-saved-four-local-businessmen-309121

 

[Jameshow]

Mercian to continue

https://road.cc/content/news/mercian-cycles-saved-four-local-businessmen-309121

That's great news will start looking at the colour palette again!!

 

[presta]

I keep reading the title of this thread as "Mercian Cycles too close".

 

[Dogtrousers]

I keep reading the title of this thread as "Mercian Cycles too close".

Bloody Mercians, leave a gap can't you.