Hand-built Vintage Swallow Merlin Mountain Bike 1987 eBay

[27motorhead]

Same 2 guys pete and rob...just it will cost you 3k+ to get a frame and forks out of them now.!

Yes, they are that good!

Now that's not helping me not look at this bike! I do think it will fit and will be a bike I could ride for a long time (both age and duration) due to frame size/geometry...

 

[Tootyred]

Here's one i prepared earlier.....

 

[27motorhead]

Here's one i prepared earlier.....
View attachment 1014521

That's not helping either! That is stunning, especially with a double U-brake!

 

[7Speed]

That seat tube decal has a Basildon area phone number. Where exactly were they located?

I was in Stanford-no-Hope, just down the road. Swallow had a unit on an industrial park in Basildon with a small shop at the front.

 

[Markybeau]

I was in Stanford-no-Hope.

Yep, we used to call it that. Was it near Wybrow Motorcycles?

 

[7Speed]

Maybe -was a bit out of the way - mostly industrial units.

 

[Tootyred]

I can't believe nobody bought that last night! You will be kicking yourself when its gone.

Ive thought about it, but tbh, i have one im now quite attached to (its one of only 3 bikes we have now kept) and im struggling a bit with riding this style of bike in general now.

To give you a size idea, mine above is the same size frame within a few mm from my conversion with the seller last year and mines set up for me at 6'4".

As you can see loads of scope, especially is you want it as an all road tourer and your a good bit shorter, rather than a racing mtb.

It would be great to see it go to a good retrobike home....as frankly the price is getting cheap enough for others to start considering selling it for bits....which would be sad if it got split up.

 

[ibbz]

For £10 you can add this to add a splash of colour
https://ebay.us/m/QxhymY

 

[narcotitlan]

Like most of us retro nuts, it’s been on my watch list for a while, lovely bike. The midway standover height is 80cm btw, 54cm top tube c-c (I asked), just slightly in the uncomfortable zone for me sadly… so I’m out.

 

[narcotitlan]

Though I should add the seller said at 5’ 9”
It was comfortable for him. Clearly a long legged fella!