Author Topic: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver  (Read 5799 times)

Overthehillmaz2

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Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« on: August 28, 2021, 02:25:12 pm »
Hello,

I am new to this forum so my apologies if I have crossed any usual protocols. I'm trying to sell a Thorn Mercury on behalf of on behalf of the estate of a very good late friend; my recent attempt to sell the bike on eBay resulted in failure.

A member of this forum kindly pointed out the frame was made by K Sayles. The frame number is: 8091431 KS.

The bike is approximately 12-14 years old and in good condition but does have a couple of scratches that do go to the metalwork.

Dave Pountney (late owner) maintained the hub  using the correct Rohloff Hub oil. The oil is due a change and 25ml of hub and cleaning oil will be supplied on purchase.

Measurements.

1. Seat tube. Centre of top tube to centre of BB is 450mm
2. Top Tube. Centre of seat tube to centre of head tube is 580mm
3. Head tube. Bottom of bottom race to top of top race is 130mm
4. Spacers of 100mm and stem stack of 40mm reaches top of steering column.
5. Top of saddle to top of pedal is 900mm when saddle is level with handlebars.
6. Stand over height at middle of top bar is 750mm and front is 800mm.

The owner of this bike stood appx. 5'9" tall.

Components.

Brakes, crank set and front hub are Shimano XTR.
Rims; front is Mavic Open Pro and rear DT Swiss (wheels were built by St John Street Cycles).

"Bespoke"
The frame is very unusual in that it has 700cc front wheel clearance front and 26" rear (max tyre width is done 32mm)
Rear wheel is mounted with horizontal dropouts so dispensing with the usual eccentric bottom bracket .

Unlike on eBay the bike will be sold with an Abus rear rack and pedals.

I am looking for offers in the region of £850 (less than eBa given no fees are payable)

I will happily supply photos to people that are interested in purchasing the bike. I live near Malvern and would prefer the purchaser to collect but postage can be arranged at a cost of £50 (UK mainland only).

Please send me a message if you are genuinely interested in the bike.

Many thanks.

Ron
« Last Edit: August 28, 2021, 03:00:31 pm by Overthehillmaz2 »

Moronic

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2021, 12:46:21 am »
Doesn't sound like a Mercury, with horizontal dropouts and no eccentric.
Bongs For Steve: a lyrical novel about smoking and friendship. https://www.amazon.com.au/Bongs-Steve-I-J-Baker-ebook/dp/B0B2BRTKM2

Overthehillmaz2

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2021, 09:43:29 am »
Hello, I can assure you it is a Mercury. If interested please ask for some photos. CTC folk that rode the Elenith 300k from Kidderminster and knew Dave Pountney will probably vouch for its authenticity.

JohnR

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2021, 03:20:36 pm »
Might it be one of these http://web.archive.org/web/20070302172225/http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/mercury.html ? (note that the web archive can be a bit slow to load). To quote:
Thorn Mercury - from £2399

This very tight, sharp, ultra responsive... yet highly reliable, ultra-lightweight touring bike was designed to be the ultimate courier bike... the lucky few, that own a Mercury, agree that we’ve got it spot on! Expertly fillet brazed, to show standard, in Somerset by our master builder Kevin Sayles."

The serial number of the Rohloff hub will be a reasonable indicator of the bike's vintage http://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=7767.msg50385#msg50385 .

Overthehillmaz2

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2021, 06:02:52 pm »
Hello, Thank you for bringing this to my and other people's attention. The serial number on the Rohloff Hub is: 111894

in4

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2021, 09:53:16 pm »
Did Kevin Sayles go on to work with Woodrup cycles in Leeds UK?

Overthehillmaz2

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2021, 10:16:01 pm »
Hello,  LinkedIn confirms he went to work for Bob Jackson before they went into liquidation and were absorbed by Woodrup: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kevin-sayles-38a63117.
It may be worth a try for me to contact him when I get back from a four day cycle tour in the Welsh borders



energyman

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2021, 08:16:57 am »
Did Kevin Sayles go on to work with Woodrup cycles in Leeds UK?
He sure did.  I bought a Woodrup Chimera built by him a few years ago.
« Last Edit: September 01, 2021, 09:37:08 pm by energyman »

in4

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2021, 09:35:16 am »
I think, given its provenance, a photo would be well received here. 😃

JohnR

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2021, 05:25:29 pm »
I think, given its provenance, a photo would be well received here. 😃
Indeed. Several would be even better.

in4

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #10 on: September 01, 2021, 07:26:36 am »
Thanks for posting. Some lovely paint work and little details to find. Loved the anti-cable rub strip.

geocycle

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #11 on: September 01, 2021, 04:07:14 pm »
Hello, Thank you for bringing this to my and other people's attention. The serial number on the Rohloff Hub is: 111894

Interesting, that’s a 2009. I would have guessed the KS frame was older?
 

Overthehillmaz2

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #12 on: September 07, 2021, 10:52:16 pm »
Hello, Apologies for not replying earlier but I've just been on a short tour of the Welsh borders. I've attached a few photos and will tomorrow post a photo of the BB with frame number.
« Last Edit: September 10, 2021, 12:01:10 pm by Overthehillmaz2 »

Overthehillmaz2

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #13 on: September 07, 2021, 10:55:09 pm »
Photo 2

Overthehillmaz2

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Re: Thorn Mercury (all steel) Metallic Silver
« Reply #14 on: September 07, 2021, 10:56:19 pm »
Photo 3