bike.wikisort.org - Manufacturer

Mercian Cycles is a custom bicycle manufacturer based in Derby, England.[1] The firm was founded by Tom Crowther and Lou Barker in 1946 and named after the ancient kingdom of Mercia.[1] Early frames built by Mercian were known as "crowbars", a pun on the surnames of Crowther and Barker.[2][3] Mercian Cycles operated a retail shop in Alvaston[3][4] until early 2019, when it relocated back to its manufacturing unit within Derby.

Mercian Cycles

Lugwork on a Vincitore headtube
Founded	1946 (1946)
Founder	Tom Crowther, Lou Barker
Headquarters	Derby, Derbyshire , England
Website	merciancycles.co.uk

As of 2010, production was around 300 to 400 frames per year, with 20% being exported outside the United Kingdom; in the same period, touring bicycles accounted for around 67% of Mercian's production, with track bicycles making up another 25%.[4]

Frames are generally custom-built to a rider's required dimensions, and may use hand-cut lugs.[1] Mercian frames were traditionally built using steel, originally Reynolds 531,[1] though as of 2010, newer steels such as Reynolds 853 and Reynolds 953 and part-carbon construction were in use.[4] Before steel was superseded by lighter materials, riders using Mercian won national and international competitions.[4]

From the original founders, the business passed to Ethel Crowther, ex-wife of founder Tom Crowther.[4] It then passed to Mercian framebuilder Bill Betton.[4] In 2002, Mercian Cycles was acquired by Grant Mosely and Jane Mosely.[4]

Mercian has recently commissioned frame colour schemes from designer Sir Paul Smith, who owns and rides several Mercian track bikes.[4]

Notes

References

• Juden, Chris (August–September 2010). "Kingdom of Mercia" (PDF). Cycle Magazine. Guildford, UK: CTC: The UK's National Cyclists' Organisation. pp. 37–38. ISSN 2042-9460. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) (This article about Mercian Cycles formed part of the magazine's "Made in Britain" series about the UK bicycle industry.)
• Kolin, Michael J.; de la Rosa, Denise M. (1979). "Chapter 6: Mercian Cycles Limited". The Custom Bicycle. Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale, Inc. ISBN 978-0-87857-254-0.
• Mercian Cycles (n.d.). "A Brief History of Mercian" (self-published). Archived from the original on 11 July 2010.
• Orford, Dave (16 May 2014). "Bygones: Firm the wheel deal, from Crobars to Mercury rising". Derby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

External links

• Official website

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