Re: [CR]1971 Mercian conundrum

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

From: "Pete Geurds" <raleighpro@dejazzd.com>
To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <1103744259.13472.211345201@webmail.messagingengine.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]1971 Mercian conundrum
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 17:07:27 -0500


From: "Jason Moore" <jason_moore@fastmail.fm>
> I have recently picked up a 1971 Mercian Campionissimo frame via ebay.
> Since I have drooled over Mercian frames for quite a while, I was quite
> excited to win this one, esp. since it appeared to be my size (63cm) and
> was quite the bargain, $60. As I waited for the frame to arrive, I
> verified the frame make and year with Mercian, and made plans to bring
> it back to it's former glory with a nice refinish and period correct
> parts.
> The frame arrived in short order. I looked over the frame and
> everything was as advertised but something was amiss. I pulled out the
> trusty tape measure and all the measurements were correct except for
> one, the top tube. The listing said it was 62 ctc, but it was actually
> 58 ctc.

If you had bought an off the rack Raleigh, or similar bike back then, that's about what the top tube would have been, so maybe it's not so bad. The seattube is 63cm c-c? Being an English frame maybe was sold as a 25 1/2" c-t? Might not be your ideal "as fitted by the local pro shop" size but I bet a lot of us are riding bikes that "don't fit" by todays fashions. Of course we do and are happy for the most part. Try it out and see how it goes. The seatpost should probably have decent setback so you can move saddle back a bit. Stem length and a bar with decent reach should help things along. Then again if it doesn't work out some of us ride that size, and gee, I don't have a Mercian............; )

Pete Geurds
Douglassville, Pa