mikeymustard
Guru
This is my mercian, nearly finished. I've done some extensive remodelling cos I wasn't getting on with downtube shifters , which is odd since I've used them all my life up until 3yrs ago!
Since the frame was built in 1993, I decided to go the brake shifters route using 90's components. The shifters are 8 speed 105 (600/ultegra stuff was way prettier but way way more expensive)
Derailleurs are RX100, which is basically 105 but silver. I've added a 11-30t cassette to new wheels, which I think kinda work.
Reason why I went for new wheels was twofold: firstly, I wasn't sure how to go about converting my hub to hyperglide (and didn't know whether it was a good idea to mess with a perfectly nice set of 80's handbuilt wheels); and secondly, I weigh about 120 kg and felt that new wheels were safer.
I'm rather pleased with the result - the wheels aren't as nice as the originals, but hey ho - the wheels and 8 speed block add a bit of weight but the silky smooth modern hubs hopefully offset that a bit (and besides, I'm 18 stone remember!). The gear change is amazing, as good as my modern bike. My favourite change though is the black bar tape!
All that's left to do now is I'm gonna swap the brakes over for dual pivots - the front will be period rsx and the back's gonna have to be an ultra long reach job - again for reasons of safely handling my not inconsiderable mass, and of course, the saddle will eventually be replaced by something more in keeping with its age.
I'm sure some of you have strong views about modernising classic bikes, and I respect that, but I didn't buy it just to look at. I now have a steed that's [almost] completely 90's which rides like a dream: in my books, job's a good'un!
My wife jokingly said that there's nothing original left on the bike, so we now call it "Trigger's broom"
