Mike D’s 1982 Mercian Vincitore

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If I’m not going to post every day, I should at least give you my very best when I do.
Mike D’s OTSG First 1982 Mercian Vincitore. It’s first for the OTSG, but there are a lot to be ogled elsewhere.

Cameron,

Here is the crown jewel of my collection for now, and has been for some time.  I bought this bike at a thrift store many years ago for a price that is almost incomprehensible.  Yes, it was less than $20. Needless to say, I stole this incredible machine.  Those deals are long gone as the resurgence of “old ten speeds” has become a reality.  I’ve often wondered how angry the owner was when he realized that his wife did some cleaning up around the house! Check out the lugwork.  Great Reynolds frame, great components, and it rides really nice, too.  A true TEN speed!  This sounds trite, but they really don’t make ‘em like this anymore.  Actually, they do, but for astronomical prices.  Suitable for wall hanging.  In the living room! Anyway, this is my contribution to your site for November January.  The other bikes in my collection, even my Bridgestone T700s, pale in comparison to this one for sheer craftsmanship and art.

Mike D.

Thanks Mike

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  3. Laura B’s Huffy Santa Fe
  4. Mark D’s 1982 Ross Gran Tour II
  5. Doug B’s 1979 Raleigh Record
  • http://haguester.posterous.com/ Bob H.

    Less than $20? Even ‘many years ago’ that is an incredible price for a bike of such superlative quality! The planets must have been aligned in your favor that day.

  • Mark

    Oh, you fortunate, lucky dog! UNDER twenty clams for a Mercian? Where, oh where am I when these hit the thrift stores? I have a friend who scored a Mercian King of Mercia at an estate sale for about eighty bucks, I think. And, of course, it fits him perfectly.

  • http://oldttenspeedgallery.com DOC SPROCKET

    ITS NOT TO OFTEN YOU SEE SUCH A GREAT WORK OF ART SUCH AS THIS. THE DETAILED LUG WORK IS FABO WITH THE PEN STRIPING TO DRAW FURTHER ATTENTION TO THE HAND MADE FRAME GREAT FIND THE DOC

  • Mike

    This was from a Goodwill store back around 1998. In those years, ALL the adult-sized bikes were $18.50 regardless. Imagine this sitting next to a Huffy for the same price! Those were the days – wish I had had the foresight to get a warehouse back then. Definitely my best Goodwill deal EVER. Well, I did have to replace one tire…

  • Mark D

    The lugs. The color. Simply beautiful. Was it your size, as well?

    • Mike

      A little big at 58cm. I ride a 54-56. As a result, I rode this bike very little. It served mainly as eye candy.

      • Mark Anderson

        Ahhh … but 58 fits ME perfectly, and I LOVE Mercian frames!

  • Spike

    Wow! That’s even better than my $20 yard sale Schwinn Paramount!