Cycling UK Forum

Never really come across a Mercian Classic it would appear to me to be a similar bike to an audax but I am unfamiliar with this model. Does anyone know anything about the Mercian Classic?

I remember 10 years back a group of cycle outlets got together and they offered a Mercian frame set off the peg it was dark green from a hazy memory. Not sure if this was the Classic?

Any experts out there?

Much appreciated,
Gary

I had a Mercian Classic back in the early eighties. It was the same geometry as the bike now sold as the Audax. Mine was bought through Beta Bikes in London as an off the shelf model. It was pretty much the affordable model in the range and was pretty limited in terms of braze ons, but that may be due to my route to ownership. I'm sure that it could be custom built direct from Mercian. Superb quality frame, rode like a dream, very responsive. Built with 531. it was a lovely bike.

Why do you ask? Have you found a bargain?

£300 for the bike. Top quality kit from that era ie. Campag Record, Shimano Dura Ace/ Ultegra, Cinelli etc. After all these years only a couple of marks to the original paintwork.. Not seen it yet but it may be a tad on the large side not sure but I liked the sound of it as it was built for 700c wheels. Only one owner and it sounds like he has looked after it.

Not really see any Mercian Audax frames or bikes for sale recently.

If anyone has one for sale?

Sheldon mentions them but can't find anything else.

Any thoughts Colin?

Is that a KOM in your pic?

Hi there

I think that I have one of these and will be looking to sell it on behalf of my father (who is now no longer looking after his affairs, or himself for that matter, due to dementia). I'm trying to establish it's date of manufacture/value, but it is dark green, bought from a shop in Cambrige, Stronglight cranks, 27 x 1 1/8th, Campag Record cranks, Reynolds 531c, probably of 1980's vintage. It is virtually unused, certainly in the last 10 years, it has a few chips in the paintwork, but the tyres are original, so that tells you the wear that it's had.

Pictures are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/51202455@N04/sets/. Sorry that some of them are in need of re-orientating. They were loaded by a non cyclist!. There's a bit of surface dirt & grease on it, but it's largely unmarked.Were you looking to buy one? e mail me on tim.beesley@hotmail.co.uk if you want a fiuller spec.

Tim

This is scanned from the 1980s catalogue.

Click a couple of times for a closer view.

Hope it helps.

Luddite, what's the frame number? The last two digits are normally the year of manufacture, the digits before that represent the number of the frame built in that year. If you need any more info then Grant at merciancycles@gmail.com should be able to help you.

Agree.
Mine is 63386 with a 3 beneath.

This means that my frame is 633 of 1986 and was built by No3 framebuilder!

Slightly different now as the whole year is included. My frame No is 1452008, presumably the 14th frame by builder No 5, which seeing as I collected it in late December suggests that No5 needs to work harder!

Colin63 wrote:Slightly different now as the whole year is included. My frame No is 1452008, presumably the 14th frame by builder No 5, which seeing as I collected it in late December suggests that No5 needs to work harder!

Maybe it was the 5th frame he had ever built

Mick F wrote: .... my frame is 633 of 1986 and was built by No3 framebuilder!

This is me, handing over my Vincitore for refurbishment in 2007 for the frame's 21st birthday. I asked about the number, and was told about the format.

No doubt as the numbers progress, they can't keep up with the same layout and format, and start a new sequence.

Guys

Thanks for the information about the year of manufacture being in the frame number. I'll examine it the next time that I go to my father's house in order to complete the picture.

Tim