Cycling UK Forum

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143700916494 ... p_homepage
And here's a single metre length. Should be ideal for what I nees

Because having a middle ring gives relatively small gaps between the chainrings. Which just feels better to me.

I also have a load of old kit that works for me..

You only get compatibility issues if you want indexed shifting. In practice, friction bar end levers work well, especially with 8 or 9 sprockets on the cassette.

I use a 24 34 46 spa triple with a 13-32 cassette on both a Ridley cross frame ( for winter) and a Mercian KoM.
It works here in the peaks.

There's been quite a few posts on this thread relating to (high) cost. I had a Mercian built about 18 months ago, a present to myself for a significant birthday.
This involved a couple of hours chatting about intended use and being measured up. I'm a fairly standard size so a custom fit wasn't totally necessary.
It's 853 with rim brakes and as much room for tyres and 'guards as the (57mm drop) brakes allow. It's exactly the colour I wanted and sparkles in the sunshine.
It was £1400. Because I bought it on the cycle scheme it was probably a fair bit less than that.
Like many on here, I have a stash of spare bits and pieces, enough to finish the bike with the addition of some nice light wheels and tyres, for well under 2k. I had a lot of fun doing so and it has built into a beautiful machine that I will keep as my summer 'best' bike for a good few years.

Derby is my adopted home town. When I first moved here, from a more agricultural area, I really noticed all how much making of things went on here, from jet engines to bicycle frames, (and beer!).

So I've been pleased to support, and be part of, that tradition. I think it was good value for money.

I also have a Spa Audax. I bought the frameset second hand for a couple of hundred quid. I added some winter wheels, £5 huret downtube shifters and rode PBP on it. It's a great bike and I love riding it. I think it's great that such a modest sum can buy such a capable machine and with it access to all the enjoyment of cycling.

I shall be sad if Mercian (perhaps more specifically, traditional UK frame-building) becomes a thing of the past. I hope there proves to be room for both the (very well made) far eastern mass produced stuff, and something a little more bespoke.

Oh dear, I had heard a rumor that all was not well . Hopefully it's something that can be resolved.
Been out on mine a few times over the last month and love it!

landsurfer wrote: ↑31 Mar 2019, 10:17pm Don't do it their a nightmare ...

I've got both. The ENE have a better finish I think.
Easy to set up, Easy to use. Very happy with them.

richards wrote: ↑2 Mar 2023, 11:01pm
Yes. V interesting. The implication seems to be that my 1070s 531 framed, 8X3 geared
I know 8 geared bicycles with steel wheels were built in another era. But the 10th century

11th century Shirley...

( now that’s nitpicking )

Try asking Vince at
https://colwoodwheelworks.co.uk/

Geographic adjectival,
Such as Afghans for the people of Afghanistan? Hadn’t noticed they were not being used in the Guardian , ( though I don’t read it much..)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_a ... nd_nations

Just got some of these to replace my ageing ( 10 yr plus) snow studs.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-winte ... -road-tyre
Bargain at £12

My oldest ones in use say made in West Germany...
..nice yellow ones. Wish they still made coloured 'guards..

..that’s what I was going to ask

That blue is a lovely colour, on a classy frame.
Dog64, you say yours may be for sale soon? 21.5” is just my size...
I’d be very interested, (esp just as a frameset).

Enjoying this thread

Dave Yates is ‘bicycle repair man’ here https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topi ... msg2637218

I love my Mercian King of Mercia https://www.merciancycles.co.uk/

Varonha frameworks are much respected I believe https://www.varonha.co.uk/ Though I have no personal experience

Thanks for that Scott,
Looks good!