Here is an intro to me (per CR protocol!):
I have been cycling as an adult since 1980, when I was in school in London and bought my Claud Butler (all 531 - CB was owned by Holdsworth then) from Beta Bikes (now defunct I think) in West Hampstead. I loved that bike - fit me like a glove (25"), and rode all around London - gained my appreciation for English bike making then. I returned to the US and settled a few months later in Miami, and two years later my beloved CB was stolen from my front porch. I was rode a Cannondale for the next 9 years, vaguely unhappy with the fit and feel, but put my bike issues on the back burner, concentrating on job and family.
2 years ago I found a Bridgestone 500 (c. 1986) in my size on the internet (rec.bikes.mktplace) - a nice clean lugged Tange 4180 frame that reminded me a little bit of my CB (which I still mourn), but still didn't have that 'just right' fit. Now I have a 76 Raleigh/Carlton SuperCourse with those nice Huret/Stronglight/Atom parts - a step closer to the CB.
Ever since Beta Bikes, I have lusted over Mercian, which was the premium make they had - but which was out of my price range as a student at the time. Now I am beginning planning for my Mercian custom frame, but alas! I am currently unemployed! When cash starts flowing, I will lock in the order.
All for now.
Dick Perlmutter
Miami