Mercian King Of Mercia Build - Decisions,Decisions!

[winjohn]

You'll ride the bike more with the stis.
And it looks better to me because it works better.
needs a shorter stem and forward bar throw compared to dt levers though

Black finish in 94 was radical.
Unfortunately now it's dull dull dull.
It's been Specialized to death.

Yes that's what I was thinking with the STIs but just checked and there is a bit of a glitch in that they are 2x8 and I would like to keep the 3x8 gearing. I just have a soft spot for down tube shifters, I guess that's what I started with back in 1967 and index on downtube shifters seems radical to me! Hmmm I need a rethink.

As for the black stem, Raleigh seemed to do it around that time too, I have one on my Dynatech.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Triples of that era would be rare - and the left hand shift unit often got broken by over enthusiastic shifting on a seized front derailleur.
Looks like you've got a 110 chainset so you could go compact - fit a 34 mid and lose the inner - I'm sure that xt Rd would handle a 34 cassette, but there are always means of going larger on the rear sprocket on 8 speed

 

[winjohn]

Triples of that era would be rare - and the left hand shift unit often got broken by over enthusiastic shifting on a seized front derailleur.
Looks like you've got a 110 chainset so you could go compact - fit a 34 mid and lose the inner - I'm sure that xt Rd would handle a 34 cassette, but there are always means of going larger on the rear sprocket on 8 speed

Good thinking. Doubles are somehow more elegant than triples too.

Just checked my Royal and that too has a black stem...they're breeding around here!

 

[winjohn]

Just rechecked my KoM date and it is 92...I was confusing it with my 94 Royal.

That will be the next decision point once both are built up...KoM 531 vs Royal 708?

 

[bikeworkshop]

Good thinking. Doubles are somehow more elegant than triples too.

Not only that, you get a better chainline and lower q-factor, easier front mech setup, mech choices, and better shifting.
This might also explain why it looks better...

And it looks better to me because it works better.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Just rechecked my KoM date and it is 92...I was confusing it with my 94 Royal.

That will be the next decision point once both are built up...KoM 531 vs Royal 708?

In my experience the 708 frames are very good. I've three bikes with 708 all excellent.

 

[Blackbike]

Hi winjohn
The Mercian is beautiful, I love the canti brakes. Have you considered chopped bars with barend shifters, I also love triples they postpone the long walk up the hill pushing the bike.

A example of chopped bars with bar end shifters

https://flic.kr/p/2qtEAec

: Mike

 

[winjohn]

So I went on a short test ride today to introduce my King Of Mercia to The King of Wessex...see photo in Today's Rides.

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/todays-ride.303296/page-558#post-3656929

I had it in a bit of a Frankenbike state, 105 brifters and 105 downtube shifters! It has confirmed that I need to go for the 105 brifters though so a useful exercise. I will take the advice and go 2x8, I won't be going bike packing or touring on it so no super low ratios needed. The 105 levers worked brilliantly with the XT cantis though.

This is the current state of play, seatpost and stem both at max limit but at the fit is good in this set up. Decisions now around seat and bar tape colours, tan or white?

Oh and I still need to replace those Sputnik rims with some new ones.

 

[winjohn]

A little more fettling today has led me to replace the 737 XT rear mech with a more modern rapid rise XT. The older XT just did not have the range to cover the 12-32 cassette. I have now swapped to 8x2 set up, removing the 26 tooth granny ring and replacing the 36 with a 34 ring while keeping the 46 outer. I do still need a longer chain though. So now just waiting for the new chain and have decided to try tan bar tape and seat.

 

[Takingabreak]

A little more fettling today has led me to replace the 737 XT rear mech with a more modern rapid rise XT. The older XT just did not have the range to cover the 12-32 cassette. I have now swapped to 8x2 set up, removing the 26 tooth granny ring and replacing the 36 with a 34 ring while keeping the 46 outer. I do still need a longer chain though. So now just waiting for the new chain and have decided to try tan bar tape and seat.

strange that the M737 rear mech didn't work well. I've got one running fine with an 11-34 nine speed cassette