Hey people,

New to the forum and the ways of ss and fg, and thought I'd run this by you.

I have this Mercian frame, fork and other bits (see photos linked below) and although I think it would make a good ss or fg conversion I am having my doubts.

Basically I live in Cambridge and need a simple and reliable bike that isn't too nickable. I think a fixed gear would be perfect and was hoping to convert this Mercian for that purpose. Now I think that this bike is just too, well, nice to have some dodgy conversion done to it.

Now I'm thinking about selling it on the old e-bay, but not sure what interest there would be.

The bike was kept under cover for years and years by it's previous owner but obviously was in a garage/shed with some damp because there is now a patina of surface corrosion that has spoiled the once shiny silver paintjob.

I don't think this surface corrosion impacts the frames integrity, but it means that it could definitely do with stripping and a re-spray to bring it back to it's former glory.

Anyway, whatch think?

R.

P.S the frame is a size 24"

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMG_1468.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMG_1469.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMG_1470.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMG_1473.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMG_1475.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMG_1476.jpg

I'd give it a clean and convert it personally...

Wipe it down and convert it. The paintjob looks rad as is and you could always go back to a restoration at a later date if you wanted to. If not - how much you want for it?!

if you convert it, dont cut the braze ons off, or there will be calls for the dead puppies

+1 giv you the option of sticking the gears back on at a later date.

It wouldn't last 10 mins in Cambridge due to the high sodium content in the water and strong easterly winds. there is also a rise in crime around your area that would see that bike in the hands of a thief... do what is best for the bike and yourself and post it down to me. i will give it a loving home.

tell you what, i'll swap it for a brand new halfords apollo hybrid. any colour you want.

Apollo - that's Halfords premium brand right? Hmm sooo tempting, but I think I'll pass.

no, apollo is now their entry level bike, but it's still better than a mercian. boardman is now their premium.

I'll do you a good as new squirrel wallet for it?

I'm in cambridge, and I'll buy your mercian off you ;)

BTW its true bike crime is on the rise here. 2 of my housemates had their bikes nicked in the last two weeks. Awesome story though - my housemate who had his nicked the other day wandered up the road looking for it, found it a couple of hundred yards away unlocked and nicked it back :D

umm what's wrong with a mercian? I'd be happy with a Dawes with Mercian transfers on it....

it was a joke skullerz.

nb - thanks for tip on panaracer 27x1s, i got some. also spa cycles sent me loads of shit by mistake.

Lucky you! or you mean ACTUAL shit?

frame pump, spokes, all kinds of shizzle.

i would give it to me. if i were you.

i'm going to send it back, because that's the kind of guy i am.

i was talking to him with the mercian.

on the subject of 27" tyres, i found these which don't look great, but i don't know, perhaps that doesn't matter for people who skid... or people who sell dodgy conversions.......!

i'll stick with the bontrager hardcase 27x1 1/4 thanks, and pay the extra 14.99 per tyre.

haha probably wise

BB looks very low.

Does not look too bad. A bike that that if converted should be converted into a long distance style machine. Drops nice, brooks carradice saddle bag. Would be wicked.

Eventually, i'll send my 1960 KOM off for a res[ray. It's got none of the original paint on it and it would be nice to build it up as Tommy suggested. Long range touring style. Maybe shove gears on it after all.
Yours is very nice, nothing a wipe over can't fix.

chris