Giles Builds a Bike…...(and about time too......).....

[Giles]

Hope that you do not mind that I am dedicating a thread to this, but from a purely selfish point of view, I'd like to document the build in one place.

About 30 years ago I had this frame hand made for me by Mercian.  It was built specifically for a long tour I was planning, so has pretty lazy angles etc.  My life moved on and I never built the bike up.  The frame has moved from house to house with me ever since.  We have a customer/friend staying with us from Switzerland at the moment and he is a classic bike nut.  We have done a deal, he will source as much original (to the era) stuff as poss and I will pay him with clothes.  I have phoned Mercian to try and get the exact specs of the frame out of them, as I have long forgotten….I am very very excited......

[Giles]

My first "care package" will be inbound soon….

[Friday]

good to hear.. G-San.. wishing u all the best in completing yet another long lost dream… Caaiiiiyoookkkk!!!

[MikeC]

He's got a bike, he can ride it, if he likes….

[Finn666]

looking forward to the final pic…should be interesting and fun to watch!

[Graeme]

Nice frame, Giles.

A friend has got a similar Mercian, albeit in black, which now sees a lot of duty as a commuter in London. I can't remember how old it is, but he's had a lot of use out of it.

Paul Smith did a collaboration with Mercian a few years back. Is the Haraki version coming soon?

[thomasnunnally]

This is awesome G!  Can't wait for more updates!

[natehate]

g we think to much alike i have the same brooks saddle on my single speed/cross bastard bike
b17 honey leather with copper hardware right?

[stever]

Beautiful frame, G. Are you going to lace up your own wheels too? Has been on my to-do list forever…

[RocknRoll]

I imagine it will look something like this when completed.

Right?

[Giles]

@natehate:

g we think to much alike i have the same brooks saddle on my single speed/cross bastard bike
b17 honey leather with copper hardware right?

Actually that is a Gilles Berthoud…

http://www.gillesberthoud.fr/anglais/fiche_detaillee/fiche.php?refArticle=201GB2ARA/N

[Giles]

@stever:

Beautiful frame, G. Are you going to lace up your own wheels too? Has been on my to-do list forever…

Had not thought of doing that, but now you have me thinking…..

[Giles]

@RocknRoll:

I imagine it will look something like this when completed.

Here's hoping…...

[unharmed]

I laced my own 29er wheels and it's fairly straightforward as long as you take your time and follow the instructions carefully. I wouldn't want to do it without a proper truing stand though.

[Finn666]

any updates G-San?

[Giles]

I have a load of bits piling up…..

[tatmantall]

bummer… thought this as going to be motorcycle related.

[Finn666]

should still be interesting to watch

[Snowy]

@tatmantall:

bummer… thought this as going to be motorcycle related.

As a cyclist, I'm pretty glad it's not motorcycle related

[veloaudio]

@Snowy:

@tatmantall:

bummer… thought this as going to be motorcycle related.

As a cyclist, I'm pretty glad it's not motorcycle related

I'm with Snowy.

Can't wait to see the finished product G.