I posted this about month ago. Giving ya'll one last chance before I e-bay it. This is a great example of a 1970's bike built up from a bare frame. Make me an offer if $450 is too much. Don't let the size fool you too much. I usually ride a 60 cm and fit down to 58 cm, and this one fits me just right, with the tops of the bars even with the saddle.
Doug Stephens
For Sale:
1975 Mercian 63 cm ctc, 58 cm ctc top tube, 17" chain stays two tone paint: forest green with contrasting pastel green head tube and seat tube band gold pin striping around the lugs "Guaranteed built with Reynolds 531 Butted Frame tubes" Non-ornate lugs, fork has a flat crown and graceful curves all at the bottom end Beautifully colored "Mercian Cycles, The World Over, Derby England" decals on head and seat tube, excellent condition Gold leaf looking "Mercian" decals on both sides of the down tube are a bit crinkled Stamped drop outs with eyelets front and rear, no derailleur hanger, two top tube cable stops on bottom *right* side, chrome Specialized right chain stay chain guard. Paint is in good condition with the scratches and dings I'd expect on a well ridden 25 year old bike
Seat Post: SR "Custom Melt Forging" two bolt Saddle: Brooks Pro in good condition, some cracks at the rivets Stem: Nitto 9 cm extension Headset: chrome "Tange Mercian" Bottom Bracket: chrome "TDC" "Made in England" Bars: unkown, wrapped with green tressostar cloth tape, shellaced, ends at stem wrapped with hemp tape, black rubber velox end plugs Brakeset: Dia Compe Gran Compe non-aero, silky satin finish, nutted calipers, original "Gran Compe" hoods in ok shape. Cranks: Stronglight Model 93 with chrome Stronglight dust caps, original 53 tooth outer ring in good condition, replacement 40 tooth stamped inner ring. Pedals: "Kyokuto Pro Ace" quills with Ale chrome clips and Alfred leather straps. Some rust on clips and strap buckles. Derailleurs: Suntour VGT Luxe rear and Compe-V front Shifters: Suntour Power Ratchets Wheels: Old style chrome barreled Phil Wood hubs in great condition, laced to 27" concave Weinmann rims with butted Ritchie spokes (at least there is an "R" on the head of each spoke". Some of the eyelets in the rims are corroded. Tires: Specialized Tri Sport 27" x 1 1/4" in ok shape. Will include a set of 27" x 1 1/8" Avocet FasGrip slicks.
While not a top of the line Mercian this bike is gorgeous to look at and is essentially in original unrestored condition. Best of all it has a smooth responsive ride. Whoever built this one up definitely did not have Campy Envy, there's not a drop of Campy on it. Don't hang this one on the wall, ride it.
Asking $450 plus shipping
Doug Stephens
Greenfield, MA