50 years later, another Mercier
#51
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Cool pics and great memories no doubt.
Last edited by bfuser191509248; 08-06-19 at 02:20 PM.
#52
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Here's another example from the general "red" family of colors. It might even be closer to the color of my '69, even though this one looks later. It has the somewhat oddball (less often seen) decals, featuring the waving Raymond Poulidor on the front of the seat tube.
Came across this red beauty (non-export) on one of the euro forums. Looks to be the same color as my '69. Would love to find one like this.
Came across this red beauty (non-export) on one of the euro forums. Looks to be the same color as my '69. Would love to find one like this.
Last edited by bfuser191509248; 08-07-19 at 04:07 PM. Reason: additional photos
#53
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I also have come across a couple of long-existing european bicycle discussion forums, one of which may have a lot more info on Mercier history. Haven't had a chance to go through them yet, but I'm hoping to find a lot of good info, so stay tuned if you're interested in this.
Also found a link to the complete 1977 catalog: 1977 Mercier catalog
More to come, I hope.
Last edited by bfuser191509248; 08-07-19 at 02:51 PM.
#54
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Not sure if these were a special issue, or whether this was a standard part of the design for a given model.
#55
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Here's mine before and after .. I believe its a 1974 model 'Service des Courses' but uncertain , it has a 'Competizione Special' decal on the left hand chainstay and no it not a typo 'Competizione' with a 'Z' ! Frame is light and not sure of tubing but guessing 'Vitus 171 / 181 ' or '531' maybe , 'Vitus' drops and 'BCM (Bocama)' lugs , seat tube angle 73deg / 75 deg head tube , also has 'Campagnolo Produti' decals i believe are also original . Lugs are gold lined , bar and stem are 'Belleri' , seat post is 'Brev.Mercier' and came with 'Mafac gold Competition' brakes/levers .
I would sure like to know more about this bike .
I would sure like to know more about this bike .
#56
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Here's mine before and after .. I believe its a 1974 model 'Service des Courses' but uncertain , it has a 'Competizione Special' decal on the left hand chainstay and no it not a typo 'Competizione' with a 'Z' ! Frame is light and not sure of tubing but guessing 'Vitus 171 / 181 ' or '531' maybe , 'Vitus' drops and 'BCM (Bocama)' lugs , seat tube angle 73deg / 75 deg head tube , also has 'Campagnolo Produti' decals i believe are also original . Lugs are gold lined , bar and stem are 'Belleri' , seat post is 'Brev.Mercier' and came with 'Mafac gold Competition' brakes/levers .
I would sure like to know more about this bike .
I would sure like to know more about this bike .
Based on your decals, and what I have read thus far, I would have thought that your bike might have dated to somewhere in the 1976-78 period. But I'm still trying to sort out those kinds of details. Someone like Guianin, who posted above, would probably be better qualified to help to suggest a date range.
#57
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I owned this Mercier until a few weeks ago. I picked it up for cheap and thought if my daughter didn't want it I would pass it on. It didn't fit her so it is now gone. Except for the decals it was in excellent condition.
#58
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Thanks Amocat. Very nice bike you have there. Have you owned it for a long time? The gold Mafac parts are something I have been dreaming about owning eventually, but I imagine using them on a bike that I would feel more comfortable customizing (which I don't plan to do with my current Mercier). I like the way you tied in the gold mods with your lug linings. It all looks fantastic against the blue of the frame (better combination, imo, than compared with the pink Merciers I've seen with gold parts). I also prefer the white bar tape you chose over the black. Visually, I would have perhaps preferred tires more like the originals, but that's a minor quibble, and it's clear that you wanted to go in a very different direction. If you'd like to elaborate on your rims and tire change (and why you chose that type of tire), I'm interested in hearing more.
Based on your decals, and what I have read thus far, I would have thought that your bike might have dated to somewhere in the 1976-78 period. But I'm still trying to sort out those kinds of details. Someone like Guianin, who posted above, would probably be better qualified to help to suggest a date range.
Based on your decals, and what I have read thus far, I would have thought that your bike might have dated to somewhere in the 1976-78 period. But I'm still trying to sort out those kinds of details. Someone like Guianin, who posted above, would probably be better qualified to help to suggest a date range.
#59
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Good stuff, Amocat. In re-reading, I see that I got mixed up a little bit in terms of "before" and "after". Oops! Anyway, it's kind of cool to see an old Mercier modified to suit someone's different vision for its functionality. Since I only have two bikes, which are very different, it makes me imagine what else (some type of hybrid) might be possible for me in the future.
#60
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As part of my ongoing interest in examining Mercier history, here are some various badge images I've managed to track down. If anyone has additions or corrections, please jump in!
1930's (I have a lot of experience with Art Deco and design from the period, and I think this is pretty fantastic, if a bit faded):
1940's/50's?
1950's?
1960's
Foil badge (late 60's? early 70's?)
1930's (I have a lot of experience with Art Deco and design from the period, and I think this is pretty fantastic, if a bit faded):
1940's/50's?
1950's?
1960's
Foil badge (late 60's? early 70's?)
#61
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Came across this online recently, for sale in Halifax/Bedford. I couldn't help but notice 1) the lack of chrome on the forks and stays; and 2) the half hoods (is that the correct term?) and abbreviated bar tape.
With regard to 1, it reminds me to bring up the fact that I'm not familiar with any Mercier import history with regard to Canada. Anyone know anything about that? It seems that a fairly high percentage of examples I've come across in Canada don't have any chrome on the forks and stays, or at least conform more in general with european market bikes (and this one also has the "Special Tour de France" decal on the top tube, another euro market feature). So it's unclear to me whether there was an established import program in Canada back in the day, or whether I'm just seeing euro bikes that ended up in Canada.
With regard to 2, the combination of half hoods and less than full bar tape seems relatively uncommon (and on bikes like this that appear to be unmolested, it appears to be factory original in this regard). These two details also happen to have been the spec on my original 1969 bike. Just looking for patterns here, anything where I can connect some proverbial dots.
#62
Junior Member
Good stuff, Amocat. In re-reading, I see that I got mixed up a little bit in terms of "before" and "after". Oops! Anyway, it's kind of cool to see an old Mercier modified to suit someone's different vision for its functionality. Since I only have two bikes, which are very different, it makes me imagine what else (some type of hybrid) might be possible for me in the future.
#63
Junior Member
Came across this online recently, for sale in Halifax/Bedford. I couldn't help but notice 1) the lack of chrome on the forks and stays; and 2) the half hoods (is that the correct term?) and abbreviated bar tape.
With regard to 1, it reminds me to bring up the fact that I'm not familiar with any Mercier import history with regard to Canada. Anyone know anything about that? It seems that a fairly high percentage of examples I've come across in Canada don't have any chrome on the forks and stays, or at least conform more in general with european market bikes (and this one also has the "Special Tour de France" decal on the top tube, another euro market feature). So it's unclear to me whether there was an established import program in Canada back in the day, or whether I'm just seeing euro bikes that ended up in Canada.
With regard to 2, the combination of half hoods and less than full bar tape seems relatively uncommon (and on bikes like this that appear to be unmolested, it appears to be factory original in this regard). These two details also happen to have been the spec on my original 1969 bike. Just looking for patterns here, anything where I can connect some proverbial dots.
#64
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Sent you a PM, by the way.
#65
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In reply to JIMR56:
The first bike (pale blue) is a beauty - do I see a Stronglight 93 crankset?
Nice to see rear stays chromed, too.
Those cottered units like in the 2nd pic, really are heavy - some significant weight saving to be made there, if you can find a period alloy replacement.
Great to know that Merciers made it across the Atlantic, and are still ridden - even here in France it's not too easy finding much information. :0)
The first bike (pale blue) is a beauty - do I see a Stronglight 93 crankset?
Nice to see rear stays chromed, too.
Those cottered units like in the 2nd pic, really are heavy - some significant weight saving to be made there, if you can find a period alloy replacement.
Great to know that Merciers made it across the Atlantic, and are still ridden - even here in France it's not too easy finding much information. :0)
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very nice information about Mercier bike !
Thanks a lot for that.
As I am currently working on a Mercier bike (1977 ?) I recently purchased , I am of course really interested.
Let me know if you want me to post a picture of my orange Mercier on your picture collection, (you have already seen my post on the french bikes)
I just can confirm that here in france Mercier bikes have a good reputation among vintage bike owners, just because of the "great" Raymond Poulidor.
Of course there is high end models which are pretty close to the famous peugeot PY10 , but also many of these more popular bikes like yours (or mine)
Raymond poulidor died recently, but really it was among the most well known and appreciated personality of all time in France. Some kind of popular "Hero". (so as all the famous french tour de france bikers).
I don't know exactly what it means exactly for the people in the USA, but here the "Tour de France" is THE most popular event.
Before olympic games, Soccer world cup, ...
We all have learned to know our country looking a the tour de france on the television as kids.
I put you a link. (various brand catalog, logos etc...)
Maybe it is the same catalog you already put for 1983 from the german site (very interesting thread , I speak german myself)
I found it myself referenced as a 1981 catalog, but i really don't know what is the right year
https://labibleduvelocataloguesmerci...cier-198x.html
Thanks a lot for that.
As I am currently working on a Mercier bike (1977 ?) I recently purchased , I am of course really interested.
Let me know if you want me to post a picture of my orange Mercier on your picture collection, (you have already seen my post on the french bikes)
I just can confirm that here in france Mercier bikes have a good reputation among vintage bike owners, just because of the "great" Raymond Poulidor.
Of course there is high end models which are pretty close to the famous peugeot PY10 , but also many of these more popular bikes like yours (or mine)
Raymond poulidor died recently, but really it was among the most well known and appreciated personality of all time in France. Some kind of popular "Hero". (so as all the famous french tour de france bikers).
I don't know exactly what it means exactly for the people in the USA, but here the "Tour de France" is THE most popular event.
Before olympic games, Soccer world cup, ...
We all have learned to know our country looking a the tour de france on the television as kids.
I put you a link. (various brand catalog, logos etc...)
Maybe it is the same catalog you already put for 1983 from the german site (very interesting thread , I speak german myself)
I found it myself referenced as a 1981 catalog, but i really don't know what is the right year
https://labibleduvelocataloguesmerci...cier-198x.html
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This is my '71 300. Purchased new by my older sister. I finally convinced her to sell it to me in the mid '70's, and unfortunately the bike had been stored on an apartment balcony. So the chrome on the socks suffered a bit. The bike is a little small for me as can be seen by the stem and seatpost placement.
This one came with AVA sprint competition tubular rims.
This one came with AVA sprint competition tubular rims.
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#69
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This is my '71 300. Purchased new by my older sister. I finally convinced her to sell it to me in the mid '70's, and unfortunately the bike had been stored on an apartment balcony. So the chrome on the socks suffered a bit. The bike is a little small for me as can be seen by the stem and seatpost placement.
This one came with AVA sprint competition tubular rims.
This one came with AVA sprint competition tubular rims.
#70
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My first road bike was a Jacques Anquetil. I purchased it in late summer of 1971. It was a heavy gas pipe bike with a red label Simplex derailleur that found its way into the spokes. Replaced it with a Valentino which wasn’t much better, but by that time my skill set had improved to the point where I could make all the necessary adjustments.
My sister saw the Mercier up on an elevated platform in the same shop about a week later and paid the $225 they were asking for it. It had the red/silver/blue Zefal pump on it as well but it didn’t last very long. It was a beautiful bike.
When I disassembled the bike to restore it, the derailleur cage had a date code of 2 71, confirming it as a ‘71. The frame could have of course been built earlier.
Later on that same shop started bringing in some higher end Italian bikes, and another shop opened up down the road in College Station, just across from the A&M main campus. There was a ‘72 Bianchi in there with full Campagnolo Record components and I knew there was no way the paper route I had at the time would pay for that. I had the bike bug really bad.
My sister saw the Mercier up on an elevated platform in the same shop about a week later and paid the $225 they were asking for it. It had the red/silver/blue Zefal pump on it as well but it didn’t last very long. It was a beautiful bike.
When I disassembled the bike to restore it, the derailleur cage had a date code of 2 71, confirming it as a ‘71. The frame could have of course been built earlier.
Later on that same shop started bringing in some higher end Italian bikes, and another shop opened up down the road in College Station, just across from the A&M main campus. There was a ‘72 Bianchi in there with full Campagnolo Record components and I knew there was no way the paper route I had at the time would pay for that. I had the bike bug really bad.
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#71
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very nice information about Mercier bike !
Thanks a lot for that.
As I am currently working on a Mercier bike (1977 ?) I recently purchased , I am of course really interested.
Let me know if you want me to post a picture of my orange Mercier on your picture collection, (you have already seen my post on the french bikes)
I just can confirm that here in france Mercier bikes have a good reputation among vintage bike owners, just because of the "great" Raymond Poulidor.
Of course there is high end models which are pretty close to the famous peugeot PY10 , but also many of these more popular bikes like yours (or mine)
Raymond poulidor died recently, but really it was among the most well known and appreciated personality of all time in France. Some kind of popular "Hero". (so as all the famous french tour de france bikers).
I don't know exactly what it means exactly for the people in the USA, but here the "Tour de France" is THE most popular event.
Before olympic games, Soccer world cup, ...
We all have learned to know our country looking a the tour de france on the television as kids.
I put you a link. (various brand catalog, logos etc...)
Maybe it is the same catalog you already put for 1983 from the german site (very interesting thread , I speak german myself)
I found it myself referenced as a 1981 catalog, but i really don't know what is the right year
https://labibleduvelocataloguesmerci...cier-198x.html
Thanks a lot for that.
As I am currently working on a Mercier bike (1977 ?) I recently purchased , I am of course really interested.
Let me know if you want me to post a picture of my orange Mercier on your picture collection, (you have already seen my post on the french bikes)
I just can confirm that here in france Mercier bikes have a good reputation among vintage bike owners, just because of the "great" Raymond Poulidor.
Of course there is high end models which are pretty close to the famous peugeot PY10 , but also many of these more popular bikes like yours (or mine)
Raymond poulidor died recently, but really it was among the most well known and appreciated personality of all time in France. Some kind of popular "Hero". (so as all the famous french tour de france bikers).
I don't know exactly what it means exactly for the people in the USA, but here the "Tour de France" is THE most popular event.
Before olympic games, Soccer world cup, ...
We all have learned to know our country looking a the tour de france on the television as kids.
I put you a link. (various brand catalog, logos etc...)
Maybe it is the same catalog you already put for 1983 from the german site (very interesting thread , I speak german myself)
I found it myself referenced as a 1981 catalog, but i really don't know what is the right year
https://labibleduvelocataloguesmerci...cier-198x.html
I am a big sports fan, going back to my childhood in the 1960's. I played soccer in high school from 1970-74, and played recreationally for many years after that (until my joints got to fragile!). I started watching the World Cups in 1974, when they were only available in spanish language broadcasts in the U.S. I was never very aware of the Tour de France until the broadcasts became very easy to find on television here. Since discovering it, I have watched it every year. I feel like I've learned a lot about your country by watching it also, in fact that's the primary reason that I enjoy watching it... the aerial scenery, the historic sites, the people and the cities towns and villages. It's beautiful, no matter who is racing or who is winning.
#72
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Very nice, thanks for posting. If you get a chance, please comment on the details you know about it. I saw your photos last night after a "Mercier" forum search, but now I can't locate the thread it was in. It looks to be a U.S.-market bike, in that early 70's time frame.
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I could swear I saw that photo before, and remember you saying you got it from your sister, but I can't locate the post. Anyway, can I ask how you went about dating the bike? Just by the year she bought it, or was there any other indicator? Just like to learn as much as I can about these details. Thanks.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...d-mercier.html
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Thank you Manu. To be honest, my primary interest in Mercier bikes concerns the models of the later 1960's and earlier 1970's, particularly those that were imported into the U.S. during those years. But any info such as your catalog link is more than welcome here, and hopefully will be helpful to those who are curious about their particular Mercier bikes.
I am a big sports fan, going back to my childhood in the 1960's. I played soccer in high school from 1970-74, and played recreationally for many years after that (until my joints got to fragile!). I started watching the World Cups in 1974, when they were only available in spanish language broadcasts in the U.S. I was never very aware of the Tour de France until the broadcasts became very easy to find on television here. Since discovering it, I have watched it every year. I feel like I've learned a lot about your country by watching it also, in fact that's the primary reason that I enjoy watching it... the aerial scenery, the historic sites, the people and the cities towns and villages. It's beautiful, no matter who is racing or who is winning.
I am a big sports fan, going back to my childhood in the 1960's. I played soccer in high school from 1970-74, and played recreationally for many years after that (until my joints got to fragile!). I started watching the World Cups in 1974, when they were only available in spanish language broadcasts in the U.S. I was never very aware of the Tour de France until the broadcasts became very easy to find on television here. Since discovering it, I have watched it every year. I feel like I've learned a lot about your country by watching it also, in fact that's the primary reason that I enjoy watching it... the aerial scenery, the historic sites, the people and the cities towns and villages. It's beautiful, no matter who is racing or who is winning.
You are not looking just at a race (frankly, you are waiting many hours and they pass by so quick that you not really see what happen !
But the feeling is fantastic with the people having a good time together. And it was even more relaxed in the past.
And as you said, just looking at the race on the TV, you discover many beautiful places.
And even more impressive is the speed of the guys on their bikes. It is purely insane.
Well , back to topic.
As we discussed together, i put you here some pictures of the mercier I purchased recently for my wife (and/or son).
It looks to be from 1977 (hub, mafac brakes, ..), and it may be a SALEVE model.
but i m not sure at all.
I am working currently on it, and there is more work I initially thought. but it will turn nice I think. No a high end bike, but I like the color !
I already put it on the "french bike" thread, but i hope it will complete your mercier picture collection here.
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I don't particularly like French bikes but I came across one and I bought it for the parts. I could not bear to throw the frame in the trash even though it has a poor repair. It is a Mercier Formule 1 from ~1980. The more I looked at it the more it grew on me. It has all oval tubing along with an oval seat post, aero levers, etc, etc. One day I may get around to restore but for now it is hanging in the basement. (The photo is not mine but the shape and color are correct)
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