Here are some answers to frequently asked questions which hopefully be of some help.

Question. Will I need to pay tax or import duty on my purchase when outside of the UK?

You may, this all depends on country we are exporting to. Details of import duty and taxes due can be found on your governments website.

Question. Are you on Instagram?

Yes you can find us here Mercian Cycles

Question. Where are you?

We are in the very heart of England in Derby,  DE248JD.

Question. What are your opening times?

Monday to Thursday open from 9am to 5pm

Friday 9am to 2pm

Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays closed all day.

Do you accept casual callers?

We don’t encourage it, if you’d like to call in please let us know in advance. The workshop here is a busy and hazerdous place.

Question. Do you service/repair cycles of any make or model?

Not currently. We are able to strip and rebuild bikes as part of a renovation.

Question. Do you supply touch up paint?

We can supply touch up paint for collection only. The post office will not allow delivery of paint. If you would like to order touch up paint for collection please give us a call first to order. It will be ready and waiting the following day upon your arrival. Please be aware it is stoveing enamel paint has has a short shelf life of a month or so and requires heat to allow it to harden properly.

Question. Do you build frames to accept 650B wheels? I’ve not seen any on your website.

Yes we do. We’ve just been to busy to add pictures or details to the site.

Question. Do you make frames to accept disc brakes?

Yes we can supply a frame which is disc brake compatible. Disc brake frames are supplied with bolt through dropouts and axles.

Question. What frames do you renovate?

We re-spray and work on other frames not just Mercian , So if you would like that early Raleigh Record Ace you have in the loft given a new lease of life give us a call.

Do you renovate aluminium/carbon frames?

We certainly do, the process is a bit more long winded but we often renovate carbon or aluminium frames.

Can you repair carbon/aluminium/titanium frames?

Not at the moment no.

Question. Once an online / phone deposit is paid for a bike or frame what next?

We will email you a cad design of your proposed frame also a sheet frame spec which has all the frame details eg – braze on bosses, colours etc etc. We will at this time sort out the equipment details. Only when you are happy with all the details will the frame/bike be put into production.

Question. Do you have a owners club?

Not yet, there are two Mercian appreciation society groups on Facebook currently.

Question. Can I jump the queue?

Sorry, No

Can I jump the queue? I’m loaded – still No.

Can I jump the queue? I’m Royalty – maybe…

Question. There are so many options – I just want a Mercian bike, where do I start?

We can take care of the details, there are a few details we need from you like intended use and some measurements then we can take care of the rest. All you need to do is tell us what colour you’d like.

We do have a range of frames in stock for sale on our website in the SHOP 

Question. You have the different models, which should I choose?

Our frame models have changed over the years, but the favourites remain. The models have their own style, often down to personal taste, but if you like the look of e.g. the Vincitore Special and want it built as a tourer or a track bike – we can do that, no problem.

As a rule of thumb we like to think of the frames are best suited to the following use,

Audax…club road riding, training/winter bike, long distance rides.

King of Merica…Touring, multi surface rides more on road than off.

High Peak…Adventure rides, multi surface with more time off road than on, long distance touring.

Pro Lugless/44…Sportier rides, sportives, faster club runs.

Strada Speciale/Superlight…Sportier summer rides, showing off at the cafe, faster club runs.

Super Vigorelli…Track leagues, velodrome use, simple effective commuting iron.

Vincitore/Special…any of the above but mainly because you’re worth it.

Question. What do you mean by geometry?

The geometry is the angles at which the tubes join each other. Different geometry gives a different feel to the bike, a more relaxed geometry gives a more relaxed ride, steeper angles give a racier livelier ride and there’s anywhere inbetween. Our standard geometry has been developed over the years we have been building and riding bikes. We can build to your preferred geometry, or the angles that you feel comfortable with on the frame fitting appointment, otherwise we’ll use our tried and tested angles.

Question. What are lugs?

These are the metal castings that we use to join the tubes together on “lugged” frames. We hand cut heart shaped cut-outs and clover leaf designs to make them our own distinctive models. Most of the lugs are bought in and can’t be moved about a great deal, they are made to be strong, so altering their angles is difficult, which means that with lugged frames we are restricted by the options of angles the lugs are available to buy in, but with lugless we are not restricted in this way.

Question. I want a lugged frame with massive tyres – can you do it?

Possibly, but, we are restricted by the frame building components available. At the bottom bracket shell we will need to give a lot of clearance for the big tyre and the angles of the chainstay ports are already cast in metal at set angles – so we can’t alter that easily. There are ways around this – lugless bottom bracket shells, cranked chainstays and seat stays, but this would all take extra time and be considered a “special build” due to the additional work needed to make this work. Sometimes we have to fabricate something that isn’t manufactured by frame building parts suppliers, but this means additional time to make – over a standard model. Please contact us with your requirements and we will discuss with our frame builders to give you an idea of price.

Question. Would you recommend chrome plating on my new Mercian?

Honestly No , The process is very corrosive time consuming and expensive.

Question. Do you do renovation / spraying for the trade?

Yes, If you would like further details please  email or phone for details.

Question. Do you supply frames to the trade?

Yes, If you would like further details please email or phone for details.

Question. Will I need to strip down my bike for a frame respray?

The more equipment you can remove from the frame / fork the better on our renovation page you will find details and prices for removing/refitting parts.

Can you remove my stuck seatpost?

As part of a renovation on a steel frame with an aluminium seat post, yes. If not or you need to keep the seat post we recommend contacting John the Seat Post Man

Question. Can I have my deposit back ?

No deposits are returned once a order has been placed.