Author Topic: A new Mercian (mine) is born  (Read 15437 times)

A new Mercian (mine) is born
« on: 25 July, 2019, 10:19:49 pm »
Received an email from Mercian today to say that my Strada Speciale frame is finally ready and they sent a picture of the frame:



This was ordered back in June last year, so wasn't far of the 12 months waiting time I was expecting, so in time for my 50th birthday later this year.

Here's my original thread about being fitted for it (and later agonizing over colour/paint scheme choices - in the end I decided to go for colourful, but simple, partly to better show off the beautiful lugs). Paint is #63 Orange Pearl Flam (inc. forks, which I've not seen) and #22 White Enamel HT/ST/lug lining and fills. Other lug lining #18 Gunmetal Grey Poly, as thought black seemed a bit stark, but not sure that they've applied that yet.

Hope to be able to get it kitted out with all the components I've been hunting down over the last 12 months soon, mostly early-mid 2000s Campagnolo 10-speed bits
Old enough to know better, but young enough to do it anyway

Paul

  • L'enfer, c'est les autos.
Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #1 on: 26 July, 2019, 12:09:31 am »
That's a beautiful thing.
What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #2 on: 26 July, 2019, 09:31:11 pm »
Yummy.
Get a bicycle. You will never regret it, if you live- Mark Twain

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #3 on: 26 July, 2019, 09:37:27 pm »
Quiz:  What is the four letter word, to which adding a letter to the start makes it the antonym of the original word?

(click to show/hide)

Gattopardo

  • Lord of the sith
  • Overseaing the building of the death star
Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #4 on: 26 July, 2019, 10:16:36 pm »
Looks good.

Tim Hall

  • Victoria is my queen
Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #5 on: 26 July, 2019, 10:23:08 pm »
It does indeed, but 12 months to make a bike is a heck of a long time. When I was in the market for some lugly (thanks Ham) steel earlier this year, I phoned Mercian.  The bloke on the other end was a  bit vague about lead times. "I'm not sure. It was 10 months but I think it better than that now." OWTTE.

I went to Bob Jackson instead.
There are two ways you can get exercise out of a bicycle: you can
"overhaul" it, or you can ride it.  (Jerome K Jerome)

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #6 on: 27 July, 2019, 09:10:37 am »
I was aware it was going to be around 12 months lead time when I ordered it, but wasn't in any great hurry. It"s given me time to have a good think about and then source all the components I want - just got the final part last week!

Old enough to know better, but young enough to do it anyway

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #7 on: 27 July, 2019, 09:25:36 am »
All the right colours in all the right places.  :thumbsup:
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #8 on: 27 July, 2019, 09:30:28 am »
All the right colours in all the right places.  :thumbsup:

Took me long enough to decide, but am very happy with the result. Components will be silver alloy (except SPD-SL pedals) and a little titanium. Threaded headset (Record) and quill stem (Nitto).
Old enough to know better, but young enough to do it anyway

Paul

  • L'enfer, c'est les autos.
Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #9 on: 27 July, 2019, 10:01:41 am »
I see dt bosses but assume you’ll be using ergos. Do Mercian not offer cable bosses on the head tube? Even if they did, I suppose dt bosses give you another option.

No racks or ‘guards on this baby!
What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?

IanN

  • Voon
Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #10 on: 27 July, 2019, 10:02:23 am »
Very nice indeed.
12 months isn't unreasonable for frame (these days).
My Swallow took a bit longer, (due to staff turnover I think)
something like a Demon has a waiting list of [ages] (although that is in a whole different league of spendy)

Note to self : don't look at other frames and question your choice of colour  :facepalm:

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #11 on: 27 July, 2019, 11:02:52 am »
I see dt bosses but assume you’ll be using ergos. Do Mercian not offer cable bosses on the head tube? Even if they did, I suppose dt bosses give you another option.

Yes, I'll be using 10-speed Ergos (the older pre-Escape/Powershift type with multiple shifting in both directions), but with Campagnolo DT cable stops - I like the look and doesn't rule out ever using DT shifters. Mercian do offer cable bosses by default, though.

Quote
No racks or ‘guards on this baby!

Nope, keeping it stripped to basics, intended usage is as a summer road bike. I have a Hewitt Cheviot tourer with guards and rack mounts for wet weather/load hauling. The Strada Speciale will take up to 28mm tyres, though.
Old enough to know better, but young enough to do it anyway

dat

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #12 on: 27 July, 2019, 11:11:54 am »
The rear stay/seat cluster is beautiful.

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #13 on: 27 July, 2019, 11:14:10 am »
Yes, I'll be using 10-speed Ergos (the older pre-Escape/Powershift type with multiple shifting in both directions),,,,
Second hand, or NOS (New Old Stock)?

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #14 on: 27 July, 2019, 11:34:18 am »
Yes, I'll be using 10-speed Ergos (the older pre-Escape/Powershift type with multiple shifting in both directions),,,,
Second hand, or NOS (New Old Stock)?

I have a set of (barely) used silver alloy Veloce levers in very good condition, but also a set of NOS Record bodies with refurbished Chorus carbon levers of slightly later vintage (both 10 speed) - the later apparently have ball bearings rather than bushings, but will probably use the former for style, I also prefer the feel of the metal levers
Old enough to know better, but young enough to do it anyway

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #15 on: 27 July, 2019, 11:37:57 am »
The rear stay/seat cluster is beautiful.

That's one of the reasons I went for the contrasting white seat tube, to show that off better
Old enough to know better, but young enough to do it anyway

dat

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #16 on: 27 July, 2019, 11:48:50 am »
The rear stay/seat cluster is beautiful.

That's one of the reasons I went for the contrasting white seat tube, to show that off better
Good call

Salvatore

  • Джон Спунър
    • Pics
Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #17 on: 30 July, 2019, 09:13:50 am »
It's exactly the same colour scheme I chose for  my Super Vincitore in 1989.
Quote
et avec John, excellent lecteur de road-book, on s'en est sortis sans erreur

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #18 on: 30 July, 2019, 09:23:08 am »
It's exactly the same colour scheme I chose for  my Super Vincitore in 1989.

Have you been happy with the choice?

Does yours even have gunmetal grey poly lining?

BTW frame is 53 c-t, non-oversize Reynolds 853 Pro Team, threaded for a 1" headset.
Old enough to know better, but young enough to do it anyway

Salvatore

  • Джон Спунър
    • Pics
Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #19 on: 30 July, 2019, 10:10:53 am »
It's exactly the same colour scheme I chose for  my Super Vincitore in 1989.

Have you been happy with the choice?

Its first respray, whenever it was (pre-2003), was something in gunmetal and green, so probably not. Or maybe I just fancied a change.

For its last (both most recent and final) repair and respray I delivered it to Mercian, specified the repairs and then spent ten minutes wandering round the showroom before plumping for "like that red tandem" so it's now like this (but with extra scratches)



Quote
Does yours even have gunmetal grey poly lining?

It was a long time ago, so I don't even know.

Quote
BTW frame is 53 c-t, non-oversize Reynolds 853 Pro Team, threaded for a 1" headset.
Mine was 653, which is why there were repairs and resprays. It's now not so 653. After the last respray they put a 531 decal on it.
Quote
et avec John, excellent lecteur de road-book, on s'en est sortis sans erreur

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #20 on: 30 July, 2019, 06:48:03 pm »
That is lovely. Mercians are the most beautiful frames I have seen - with the possible exception of Hetchins when Alf still had his shop in Southend. I recall being utterly bowled over by Charlotte's beautiful fixie all those years ago when she was a cyclist... ;)
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #21 on: 21 August, 2019, 08:02:17 pm »
My new Strada Speciale has now been built-up, received this photo from Grant today, hope to collect it from Derby next week, will post more pics then (in the gallery section).

[click to expand]



Old enough to know better, but young enough to do it anyway

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #22 on: 21 August, 2019, 08:19:11 pm »
nice!

cheers

Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #23 on: 21 August, 2019, 09:31:37 pm »
That's a little moment moment right there...

Paul

  • L'enfer, c'est les autos.
Re: A new Mercian (mine) is born
« Reply #24 on: 21 August, 2019, 10:30:01 pm »
I’m in Derby. I wouldn’t mind picking it up for you...

Looks lush. Enjoy.
What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?