The Mercian Cycles Register

    Mercian Cycles is one of the great marques of the golden age of British hand built bicycles. Mercian began to build frames soon after its foundation in 1946; although most of the legendary builders of that era have disappeared, or have been subsumed in conglomerates, Mercian continues to build fine lightweight frames and bicycles, using traditional methods to create frames ridden worldwide by enthusiastic touring, commuting, off-road, and racing cyclists.

    Mercian frame records date back only to 1970. The purpose of this register is to record Mercian frames and bicycles built before 1970. It is a collaboration of the worldwide community of Mercian riders. Please send photos and information about your Mercian. In particular,

• a photo of the complete bike or frame,
• detail photos of the lugs, if possible;
• the serial number to establish the date of manufacture;
• the model name, if known;
• images of original documentation - frame orders or purchase receipts - are especially useful;
• as well as of advertisements and catalogues (if any) that are not on the Mercian web site.

    Mercian frame numbers include the year of manufacture, but where the year appears in the sequence has varied over time. From the 1970s through 1999, the year is the last two digits of the frame number. After 1999, the last four digits are the year of manufacture. For at least part of the 1950s, the first two digits indicate the year, but this pattern was not followed consistently.

    Historical notes and documents are on the Mercian web pages. Anyone who rides an old Mercian - and many who ride new ones - will enjoy the journals and local section rides of the Veteran-Cycle Club.

            I thank Mercian Cycles of Derby, England, Martin Hanczyc of the V-CC New England Section, and Joel Metz, whose Jack Taylor registry is the model and inspiration for the Mercian Register.

Christopher Barbour
Boston, Mass.

Enter your bike in the register.

Go to the Mercian Register.

Mercian Cycles, for new orders, renovations, current offers of the Mercian bike shop, and further historical information.