Mercian Cycles
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.
 | |
 Lugwork on a Vincitore headtube | |
| Founded | 1946 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Tom Crowther, Lou Barker |
| Headquarters | , |
| Website | merciancycles |
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2010, newer steels such as Reynolds 853 and Reynolds 953 and part-carbon construction were in use.[4] Before steel was superseded by lighter materials, riders using Mercian won national and international competitions.[4]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
- Kolin and de la Rosa, 1979, pp. 60-68
- Mercian Cycles, n.d.
- Orford, 2014
- Juden, 2010
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.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 Press. 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.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)