Mercian Cycles Limited Ascot Drive, Allenton, Derby DE24 8JD

"I have now had two frames renovated by Mercians, a 1971 Woodrup and a (approx) 963 Major Brothers via Mick Madgett at Diss. The jobs were not required to be rushed, so speed of turnaround was not an issue. In both cases the resprays/linings, brazings and refurbishments were to the highest standard and exactly as specified, with decals and headbadges beatifully applied and fixed. completely trustworthy,"

"The entire process was a total disaster. I was told it would take 6 - 8 weeks maximum. When in fact it took 14 weeks and then a further 12 days for the bike to be delivered, as it was sent but the cheapest and slowest means possible. Unfortunately when the bike did arrive there was an obvious smug in the paint work just above the rear break set and one of the colours used was red not orange. Which is very important when orange is actually the colour of your national flag and the front forks are meant to be sprayed in your nation flags colours. Not once was I given a straight answer on completion dates. I called them 24 times in total during the entire process and it got to the point where I just dreaded having listen to the I couldn't care less attitude of the two gentlemen I spoke to in the office. I was constantly being told it will be next week please call us back then and each time I called back I was given a different excuse. On a positive note the rebuild was great. Just a shame that for the extremely high price I was charged the overall experience was so poor. If you want to get your bike resprayed I would suggest you go somewhere else. If I was to do it again knowing what know now, I would most certainly have gone somewhere else knowing what I know now."

"Circa 1991 I was 19 i saved up over many months and purchased a fillet brazed 653 Mercian. About the same time dual pivot brakes were introduced, I after building my bike with dual pivot brakes tested them out by braking hard the front wheel touched the down tube and buckled the frame the clearence was to tight, I returned it to be told I was lying and had hit something. A friend also had a 653 Mercian built with a Chrome rear triangle, turn out you cannot Chrome 653 and it snapped."

"I am restoring a 1956 Mercian as a young 22 year old. Needed some touch up paint, headset and BB bearings, the BB removing, a dodgy bolt removing and a stuck headset removing. Bob at Mercian went above and beyond to sort me out, fair price, offered lots of advice on the restoration and was generally just an ace guy to chat to. Unfortunately covid meant I couldn't go in but I will see the workshop oneday, hopefully ordering or a frame of my own."

"I have a Mercian frame on a bike I built 36 years ago – and it still performs like a dream. Double-butted 531 tubing, beautifully crafted, it invites admiring glances. Yes, there are alloy, and even carbon fibre, frames available now but this is a classic. It's light, strong, flexible, comfortable and responsive on the ride. A friend of mine rode it recently (he is a mountain bike fan) and said, "Are you sure it doesn't have a motor? I didn't have to pedal much!" I'd buy again but this frame will last my lifetime. I'm bequeathing it to my son – and it will last his."