"Dear all at Mercian,
Here’s my ’76 Olympic, recently re-enamelled at your workshop in French Blue and Beige.
You have done me proud on this bicycle, many thanks to everyone at the workshop. I look forward to many lovely days out on this bicycle.
I have built it mostly using 1970s components:
*Campagnolo Nuovo Record gruppo (cranks, derailleurs, shifters, pedals and brakes),
*3ttt stem and 3ttt Superleggera bars,
*vintage Phil Wood three-piece touring hubs (rare 1973 brushed steel assymetric High flange/mid flange rear, polished mid 70’s front, all NOS), laced (using a mix of Sapim spokes) 3x rear, 2x front to DRC classic unmachined rims (700).
Also: Regina 15-25 freewheel, running 48/52 up front. The muguards are aluminium D.Salmon Super Profil, the saddle is a trimmed and tied honey Team Professional. Old style Panaracer 25 tyres, Galli gum hoods, campag thick cables and cinelli tape finish it nicely.
Oh, and thanks to my friend Florence for colour inspiration.
Regards
Ben ‘Skully’ Leighton, London."
