1980's Mercian frames

James McGregor said:

Hey. I may buy a 1980's King of Mercia frame. Does anyone know if the 80's frames are the same
quality as the current ones? I know they're both Reynolds 531, but that's about it... thanks in
advance for any help.

AFAIK, Mercian have always had a good reputation, but is it really worthwhile buying a steel frame
from the 80's? If it is only going to be used occasionally, I cannot see a problem, but unless it
has been kept really well, then the insides of the tubes will be corroding away, so the frame will
be no-where near as strong as it was when built.If it has been in California all its life it should
be OK, but if it has been kept somewhere damp (e.g. Britain!) for the last 20 years,then it may not
be a good buy. Alan.

--
To reply by e-mail, change the 'minus' to 'plus'. dvatc.co.ukdvatc.co.ukOpen ↗ - Off-road cycling in the
North Midlands.

Quoted message said:

Hey. I may buy a 1980's King of Mercia frame. Does anyone know if the 80's frames are the same
quality as the current ones? I know they're both Reynolds 531, but that's about it... thanks in
advance for any help.

Buy it for the parts, not the frame. There's no way to know if the frame's in decent shape or is
close to rusting through. And even the parts aren't going to be worth a whole lot, unless they're
Campagnolo Record/Super Record and in good shape.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReaction.com

"James McGregor" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hey. I may buy a 1980's King of Mercia frame. Does anyone know if the 80's frames are the same
quality as the current ones? I know they're both Reynolds 531, but that's about it... thanks in
advance for any help.

A.Lee said:

AFAIK, Mercian have always had a good reputation, but is it really worthwhile buying a steel frame
from the 80's? If it is only going to be used occasionally, I cannot see a problem, but unless it
has been kept really well, then the insides of the tubes will be corroding away,

This is odd, given the number of regularly ridden frames in Britain from the 80s and before. My
father's frame is 60s and as far as I know he's never done a thing to keep the inside from
corroding.

Previous discussion here suggests it is actually quite hard to get a steel frame to corrode
dangerously.
--
David Damerell <[email hidden]> flcl?

Quoted message said:

James McGregor said:

Hey. I may buy a 1980's King of Mercia frame. Does anyone know if the 80's frames are the same
quality as the current ones? I know they're both Reynolds 531, but that's about it... thanks in
advance for any help.

A.Lee said:

AFAIK, Mercian have always had a good reputation, but is it really worthwhile buying a steel frame
from the 80's? If it is only going to be used occasionally, I cannot see a problem, but unless it
has been kept really well, then the insides of the tubes will be corroding away, so the frame will
be no-where near as strong as it was when built.If it has been in California all its life it
should be OK, but if it has been kept somewhere damp (e.g. Britain!) for the last 20 years,then it
may not be a good buy.

In theory , maybe. I get a peek inside a great many frames of various materials, ages and
maintenance history on a regular basis. Significant (noticeable) corrosion is unusual.

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971

easy enough to tell! moisture collects in the bb area, so if the frame is stripped down, you can
look inside & see.

A.Lee said:

James McGregor said:

Hey. I may buy a 1980's King of Mercia frame. Does anyone know if the 80's frames are the same
quality as the current ones? I know they're both Reynolds 531, but that's about it... thanks in
advance for any help.

AFAIK, Mercian have always had a good reputation, but is it really worthwhile buying a steel frame
from the 80's? If it is only going to be used occasionally, I cannot see a problem, but unless it
has been kept really well, then the insides of the tubes will be corroding away, so the frame will
be no-where near as strong as it was when built.If it has been in California all its life it
should be OK, but if it has been kept somewhere damp (e.g. Britain!) for the last 20 years,then it
may not be a good buy. Alan.