TL;DR
Get business pricing on garage and car supplies
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
A road.cc review says Mercian’s Ventura Allroad is a steel all-road frame that rides more like a quick, comfortable road bike than a dedicated gravel machine. The reviewed early-development bike used Reynolds 725 tubing; customer frames are specified with Reynolds 853, and buyers can request custom geometry at the same price as an off-the-shelf frame.
Road.cc has reviewed Mercian’s Ventura Allroad, a handbuilt steel frame designed to combine road-bike handling with clearance for wider tyres and mixed-surface riding. The reviewer found it quick, comfortable and adaptable, while noting that the tested early-development frame used Reynolds 725 tubing rather than the Reynolds 853 specified for customer frames.
The review describes the Ventura as a road-oriented all-road bike, rather than a gravel bike built primarily for rough terrain. The reviewer said its geometry felt stable and confident without dulling the handling, and found it capable on both paved roads and loose surfaces. With 36mm slick tyres, the bike was also used for two three-hour road rides and felt like a comfortable, quick endurance bike, according to the report.
The frame is made from Reynolds 853 steel, with a Columbus tapered head tube. Mercian supplies a full-carbon fork, which can accommodate tyres up to 47mm; the frame itself is rated for tyres up to 45mm. Mudguard mounts are optional. The review also notes a threaded bottom bracket and a lugged bottom-bracket shell, as well as a high standard of paint and frame finishing.
The bike tested weighed 9.65kg in its review build. That prototype used Reynolds 725 tubing, while frames for customers are to be made with 853. The reviewer said the two materials could differ in ride feel and weight, drawing on personal experience, but the article does not present a direct test comparing finished customer frames with the development bike. Mercian offers standard frame sizes in 2cm increments and custom geometry at the same price, according to the review.
A Road Bike Built for More Surfaces
The review presents the Ventura as an option for riders who want a road-like ride without limiting themselves to paved routes. Its geometry, tyre clearance and optional mudguard mounts could suit commuting, winter training, touring and occasional gravel riding, rather than requiring a buyer to choose a narrowly defined road or gravel setup.
Custom geometry at the same price as a standard frame may also matter to riders whose proportions or fit requirements are not well served by stock sizing. That is a feature of Mercian’s offering as described by road.cc; the review does not establish how long custom orders take or how the process compares with other makers.
Mercian Ventura Allroad steel bike frame
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Mercian’s Return to Framebuilding
Mercian has been building bicycles for 80 years, the report says. The company entered voluntary liquidation in 2024 and was later bought by a group of four Derby-based businessmen who described themselves as passionate cyclists. The Ventura Allroad is presented in the review as part of the company’s renewal.
Bob Smith of Mercian characterised the intended bike as a road bike suitable for varied surfaces, neither a dedicated gravel “steamroller” nor a traditional touring bike. The reviewer said the ride met that brief. The review is an independent assessment, though road.cc disclosed that it includes retailer links that may generate commission; it said that the links do not affect its reviews.
“A road bike that’s happy on all surfaces. It’s no monster cross gravel steamroller, nor is it a staid tourer. It’s a little of each with a pinch of get up and go added.”
— Bob Smith of Mercian, as quoted by road.cc
What the Review Does Not Establish
The tested bike was an early development frame built with Reynolds 725, not the Reynolds 853 material specified for customer frames. The reviewer expected 853 to improve ride quality and lower weight based on personal experience, but those expectations are not confirmed by a comparative test in the supplied report. The review also does not provide a final customer-frame weight.
The supplied source excerpt ends partway through its description of build options. It confirms that custom geometry is offered at the same price as standard sizing, but does not give a full price, order lead time, complete component options or details of how customers submit fit measurements. Those details should not be inferred from the review’s ride assessment.
Customer Builds and Specifications
For prospective buyers, the next step is to confirm current pricing, availability, delivery times and the custom-geometry process directly with Mercian. The review indicates that customer frames use Reynolds 853, so riders comparing the product with the tested bike should distinguish the prototype’s 725 tubing from the planned production specification.
The report does not announce a later test or a production-delivery timetable. Further independent evaluation of a customer-spec frame would help establish how its weight and ride compare with the development bike; until then, those points remain unverified in the supplied material.
Key Questions
What kind of bike is the Mercian Ventura Allroad?
Road.cc describes it as a road-oriented all-road bike intended for paved roads and occasional mixed-surface riding, rather than a dedicated gravel bike.
What tubing does the customer frame use?
The review says customer frames are specified with Reynolds 853 steel. The early-development bike assessed in the review used Reynolds 725, so its ride and weight are not a direct measurement of a customer frame.
How wide a tyre can the Ventura Allroad take?
The review gives clearance for tyres up to 45mm in the frame and up to 47mm in the supplied carbon fork. Mudguard mounts are optional.
Can buyers request a custom frame size?
Yes. According to road.cc, Mercian offers standard sizes in 2cm increments and custom geometry at the same price. The supplied report does not specify the ordering process or lead time.
How much does the reviewed bike weigh?
The review bike weighed 9.65kg in its test build. It was an early-development frame made with Reynolds 725 tubing, and the report does not give a final weight for a customer frame using Reynolds 853.
Source: rss
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
