1983 Mercian Olympic

[sjcprojects]

In a suitably autumnal colour, a Mercian Olympic from 1983 (serial number 99283). This was bought from someone who was only about 10 miles from Derby, and being in south Sheffield, I'm only a little over 35 miles away myself. A Mercian has been on my list of bikes I'd like for a while, so although I hadn't planned to build up another bike, I couldn't resist this one. It can take mudguards so this will be my retro-autumn/spring bike, I think. It won't be a proper winter bike because although I know some people do use steel bikes throughout winter, I've done that myself before and it did not end up well. It ended up very rusty (even with full mudguards).

The Olympic was the bottom of the Mercian range, but it still feels like a very well made frame.



I knew straight away that I would keep this fairly period, so the choice of parts was obvious. It will be mainly Shimano 105 Golden Arrow, with some 600 from the same era, inspired by the rather lovely classic Mercian lettering.

 

[sjcprojects]

It's coming along. There was some conflicting information about the best BB length for the Golden Arrow chainset, I opted for a modern sealed one which is 119mm, and it looks like it's giving a good chainline, fingers crossed. The wheels are not matching, but I already had them in the shed and they are in nice condition so they will do for now. Mudguards are in the post so will be added soon. And the saddle and seatpost are not staying at those positions, it's just to get them on the frame for now.

I did a little touch up of the scratched 531 fork decal with the highly technical use of a thin permanent marker, which turned out quite well.

 

[bikeworkshop]

View attachment 896707

The wheels are not matching, but I already had them in the shed...
I did a little touch up of the scratched 531 fork decal with the highly technical use of a thin permanent marker, which turned out quite well.

You could argue the different mavic rims are for front/rear specific use, just need to use a "black permanent marker" on the front hub

 

[sjcprojects]

You could argue the different mavic rims are for front/rear specific use, just need to use a "black permanent marker" on the front hub

Well, I have just had a lot of fun trying to get a 23c tyre on that rear Module 3 rim, before realising they are for 28c+ tyres (every day is school day round here). Then I had some more fun getting a 28c folding tyre on, which I only just managed, as my aching thumbs can attest to (despite trying all the usual tips to avoid thumb ache). I've never run 28c tyres before so it will be interesting to see how they compare with my other bikes, looking on the plus side.

Anyway, if anyone does have a rear Open 4 CD wheel (with a Shimano freehub), I'm in the market for one after that malarky.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Those module rims have a shallow well, although I didn't know that 28s are an easier fit than 23s.

On a positive note, 28s are considered narrow nowdays so you are entering the modern era!

 

[sjcprojects]

Mainly done now, just the chain, and shifters to add and set up. Well, plus the RD will obviously not clear the 32T I have on the back, so I will use a hanger extender on there. Seeing as there's no granny ring up front, the RD won't have to take up much slack, it just needs to clear the big sprocket. The mudguards could also do with some flaps, but that can wait for now.