Cycling UK Forum

Stolen Wednesday night in Wolverhampton.

Isla Bike Beinn 26 Large (first one of the new large size to be built up last year) with red decals, Schwalbe CX pro tyres, Shimano SPD's, Selle San MArco Saddle (Fondriest logo'd) and non standard flat bars. Eldest sons CycloCross bike. Would stand out like a sore thumb being ridden by spotty youth around town!

So if anyone sees one for sale or being ridden around Wolverhampton.... you know what to do!

I got a pipe cutter from Screwfix, did the job nicely - nice and clean. Can't recall the cost, but it wouldn't have been a lot. Also picked up 'a pipe end cleaning tool' which reams out the ends, inside and out quite nicely. they're both in the toolbox now, prob never use again

banger wrote:An any one tell me how i would know if i can fit a 700 X 32 tyre on a rim that had a 700 X 35 tyre on it.

Thanks

The difference is 3mm, and unless your rims are really wide it wouldn't be a problem

(Edited to insert original query due to ham-fisted attempt by me to edit title of thread which lost the first post CJ)

Fenwicks FS-10 is great for cleaning and the undiluted version is perfect for cleaning chains on the bike. I agree with washing immediatly after returning from ride (or in car park if you're travelling) dried muck can stick like ****.

drossall wrote:

Te Bheag wrote:drossall - you still got an Aende?

Certainly have. Bought second-hand at Chevin Cycles in Otley when I was a student in 1979. Been resprayed twice and is still my main racing bike, in spite of the Principia I bought a few years ago.

Got a link to any pics? It looks like 'Pongo' made a number of one-offs, so it would be interesting to compare the bikes. I want to try some events, road and track, as I've never done that before, as well as 'keep up' with my boys. Hopefully the Aende will fit the bill.

yes, he sounds like he was a bit of a character! Died in 07 I think. Other resources (i.e. the ever reliable and totally believable Interweb) say he built frames for 'testers', but that's not a phrase I'm familiar with...

drossall - you still got an Aende?

I'm getting a bit overexcited by all this and may have to sneak off to Sheffield to collect tomorrow, or tonight.... or now...

While I await the verdict on my frame model and any other details from Mercian, I have stripped her down in preparation for the refurb... However, I am obviously sans road bike and as the little ones (boys - 10, 8 and 5) are riding with Wolverhampton Wheelers I want/need to be mobile and with them, but I won't be doing too many road/track runs on the Commencal MTB!

Anyway, ebay beckoned and I have picked up an Aende Racing job from a chap in Sheffield. Anyone got any info on 'Pongo' Braithwaite who apparently built these bikes in Mansfield?

piscivisio - will we see you on the road with your refurbed one soon? I'm going to watch the Tour of Britain go through Compton on the 10th, you going?

Ha ha - snap! you been in my back garden taking photos again?

I phoned Mercian today and they took payment details, but will only charge if they find anything in the records, which is reasonable.

Oh, I see what you mean... edited to just link to the whole lot now. I'm going to ring Mercian with my enquiry today and see whether rhey ask for payment.

No, I hadn't seen that page. Seems a shame, but I suppose if it takes time then it costs money. I'll pay the tenner to find out, or I could spend ten quid on Diesel and a nostalgic run up the A38 to Derby, where I used to live... either way, it'd be nice to know what model I have before deciding on colour schemes for the refurb.

Links look OK, waht trouble are you having? Should just be able to click on them to go to the web album...

yup, it'll come to somewhere around the £200 mark, but the frame is fine and it's a lovely ride, so worth it methinks. I think I will use Mercian, they're only an hour away and their paintjobs are reckoned to be top-notch.

I've asked Mercian if they can check the build records as I'm still not totally convinced it's a King, I think it's an Olympic, but they'll know for sure.

Follow up email from Mercian suggests it's a King of Mercia, so I'm delighted. Now to save the pennies for a refurb and to decide the colour scheme. Decisions, decisions...

Well, goodness me, a very quick response from Mercian:

"It looks like a Mercian and has the correct number sequence and stamp size.
Thank you
Grant
Mercian Cycles Limited"

So that answers that bit - it probably is a Mercian, but which Mercian? Any thoughts, oh wise ones?

If you know the year, then this site might help -
http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/bro ... /Reynolds/
it has images of the reynolds transfers and the years they were used.
Alastair

mlteenie wrote:Why not ask Mercian themselves?

I've emailed them today, but I should think that they'll not see it as a priority, but I hear they're pretty good at replying.

lb1dej - I think it has the feel of a decent frame, but I want to identify it. The extra digit is a bit confusing to me. I thought frame 250, built in December 1981, but it doesn't seem to fit Mercians numbering scheme.