Reynolds tube type and specs. I am the proud owner of a 1950 Mercian ROAD
PATH (Poor Mans track Bike????) in 1949-1950 Mercians made in Derby or DARBY the
choice of many club men, I could never afford one, NOW I have one,it is
realy responsive, 531 DB Tubs.round fork blades,drilled forbakes etc. This
September on a trip to the old country, Great Britian, United Kingdom, British
Isles, England, (I Like that one) my sister lives in Hagley in the WEST Midlands,
as it is NOW called, I said to my wife of 42yrs, "Lets go visit Mercian in
Said Derby,then take a trip in the Peak District"one of my old cycling routes,
After going round a roudabout about 10 times, felt like Chevy Chase in one
of his movies, we fould the bloody shop, well the chaps where VERY
helpfull,Jeff Bowler a real joy to talk to aboutall things cycling,as was Grant the
owner, Of course I was smittem and a new frame seemed the only choice, I was
shown all the models and given a brochure, NO pressure, after all this is
ENGLAND,besides they knew they had a live one HOOKED, So we left ,had a very
enjoyable trip, the weather was grand, rained two days out of 21 NOT BAD, NOW to
heart of all this, Mercian build frames with Reynolds tubing, Grant said they do
have some sets of 531C left, also they use 631, 725. 853, 853pro, and carbon
fibre(FIBER??) as an old (REAL OLD)Brit racer fromthe late 40s 1950s, 531
was all that I ever rode on, can anyone explain to me the dffereance in all the
now tube types, I am 5"5" 130lbs,(Give or take a few) I need a frame to ride
up the Colorado Mountain passes, I have now a Colorado Cyclist Douglas Pres
TI, that climbs fine(Iknow its the rider NOT the bike that counts)ALSO Specs,
Mercian builds frames 53cm to 56cm with 72 head angle and 74seat, my Douglas
is also this way, Why??? I was allways use to the head angle been steeper,
or parallel, the1950 Mercian I have I think is 74Head 72 seat or some
such,even my 1937 Calud Butler Intl Path a steep head angle, anyone have any comments
on this, UH Mike??, Cheers John Crump,PS Still would like ANY info on a
Italian Vittoria frame that have.