07 July 2011

Another Mercian?

If you've been reading this blog, you know that I never, ever do anything irrational.  Right?

So, what I just did doesn't qualify as irrational. Perhaps if I were more religious, or were still enamored of Kierkegaard, I would say it was a leap of faith.  To those who know me best, it might just be a typical act of visionariness (Is there such a word?) or pure and simple insanity.

What did I just do?  I've bid on another bike on eBay.

However, it isn't just any bike:


It's a 1997 Miss Mercian. The fellow who's selling it bought it after a hip injury prevented him from using a diamond (or "men's") frame.  He set it up, he says, as a tour/commute bike.

If I were rich, I would buy the bike just to give it a good home.  And, yes, that is one of my intentions.  However, I thought of some practical ways in which I could use the bike.

The frame size is a centimeter bigger (at the seat tube) than any of the Mercians I now have.  And its top tube is a centimeter and a half longer.  If the bike fits the way I think it will, I might swap the drop bars for North Road-style bars, or Porteur bars (like the ones on Helene) on a stem with a shorter reach.  And, of course, I'll change the saddle.  Then it might become my transport bike.  (In that case, I might even put drop bars  on Helene.)

I've given myself a limit as to how high I'll bid because the bike is in England, which means that shipping it will be expensive.  But I do like the way the bike looks.  And I don't think I would change anything else, at least in the beginning, besides the bars and saddle.  The components are all good-quality, and the bike has a rack and fenders.

The auction for the bike ends Sunday afternoon.  This will give me something to obssess over between now and then!

3 comments:

  1. Good luck with the auction! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. North roads bars would look mighty fine on that bike.

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  2. Jillian: Thank you. Actually, I am leaning toward North Roads, as they sweep back a bit more than the Porteurs I have on Helene.

    I'm also thinking of swiping the Gyes Parkside saddle off Marianela to use on the bike in question. I know it's sacrilege to put a Gyes on a Mercian, but I don't really want to spend another 125 dollars or so on a B67, which the Parkside resembles. Besides, I won't have to break in the Parkside. And, I think the brown leather will look nice with the green bike. (I'm also thinking about cork grips for the North Road bars.)

    Hey, wait a minute: I have to win the bike first!

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  3. How did I miss this post! This is what happens when I am too busy to read blogs for a few days : ((

    How lucky to find a mixte in this size! And since I already know you won it, congratulations! Wonder how she will compare to your 2010 Miss M, very exciting!

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