Re: [CR]Re British bike advice from davidblight@rya-online.net

(Example: Books:Ron Kitching)

Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 14:11:27 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Mark Chandler" <justridingalong@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Re British bike advice from davidblight@rya-online.net
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <002b01c142dd$8a9af020$0d01a8c0@ALANDAVID.COM>


> with the exception of my specification error, it would pass for a
> '60's or
> '70's bike. The people at Mercian were very accommodating. I have a
> beautiful paint scheme (good), Nervex Lugs (good) lots of chrome
> (good) BUT
> I specified the three(3) cable guides on the top tube(bad). I also
> specified
> longer chain stays which was also good. I should have, however asked
> for
> cable stops to be brazed on the lower portion of the top tube similar
> to the
> older bikes. In my defense, I was not trying to spec a classic bike,
> but
> rather what I thought was a good design.

I did the same thing with my KOM Touring. Not so much for period-correctness, but rather, reduction in cable friction. Open housing would have been a big improvement in that respect.

Were it not for back and other health-related issues, I'd still have my Mercian. The frames are a very good bargain, and the workmanship is quite good. They offer plenty of options to produce a modern-vintage-esque frame/bike. Plenty of color choices that harken back to the 50's/60's/70's/etc.

--mc

=====
Mark Chandler / JustRidingAlong@yahoo.com
Superior, Colorado