Hi Marty
A quick and simple answer to your question about Mercian, if I may. On our clubrun on Wednesday, we had over 40 riders out in total, mainly retired and all over 55. There was a lady on her 1970's Mercian who in her day was selected to ride for England. She was a member of the record breaking 10 mile time trial team in the 1950's. Her husband was on a 1980's Mercian. He was a 4hrs 15 mins 100 miler by 1960. They have about four other Mercians in a stable of bikes that goes back to 1953.
We had two other Mercians out, one from before 1980, another quite recent.
These folk were all 'proper' UK clubmen and ladies, the oldest started racing with the Poly in 1947, the rest racing throughout the period up to today. They each have a choice of bikes to ride, and the Mercians are IMO up with the best of them.
Yet, this is actually a Touring club! We hold about 4 tours a year. This year including Austria, France and the Outer Hebrides off the coast of Scotland(including 7 ferry trips!).
Hope that helps persuade you that Mercians are collectable and rideable by clubmembers who know and have known about the 'right' bikes since the war.
Regards
Mike Waite
Amersham Bucks UK
mrwaite@btinternet.com
> Dear CR listees,
> And especially any list members in Great Britain and Ireland, where do
> MERCIAN frameset and bicycles, fall in the category of LIGHTWEIGHT club
> bicycles?