TejanoTrackie 

Thanks for re-posting this bike of mine. It is one of my favorites, even though it is a rather lowly 1970s bike boom model. Since I posted that photo, I have changed out the 700c tubular wheels for a new set of 27" clinchers with 27 x 1-1/4 tires and track hubs. The bike actually came stock with 27" clinchers with steel rims, but they were in horrible condition, so I mounted those old tubulars that I had on hand. Because of the larger size of the tires and rims, I was forced to remove the fenders.



1970 Mercier Model 100 singlespeed conversion

bfuser191509248

I was happy to edit and re-post it, just for fun. These Merciers are not lowly to me. Please consider visiting my Mercier thread, and helping with any info you might have: 50 years later, another Mercier

I like the updated look a lot! Can I ask how you know that it's a 1970 Model 100? I'm trying to learn how to date these bikes as accurately as I can. Sort of a strange hobby of mine.

TejanoTrackie 

I should have said 1970s rather than 1970, since the Model 100 was the basic model that Mercier made in the 1970s. It was also known as the Rally Sport. I haven't done any detailed research to precisely date this bike, and they were mass produced during the bike boom of the 1970s.

bfuser191509248

I was an owner of a new Mercier (probably a 100) in 1969. I put a link to a Mercier thread that I recently started in my post above. I hope you'll look at it, since you're a Mercier owner. There's a lot of info in it, some of which I found by searching these forums thoroughly for any posts about Mercier bikes.

TejanoTrackie 

I just looked at your Mercier thread, and you definitely have a lot of good content and discussion there. I found an old photo of my Mercier 100 from the eBay listing before it was shipped to me. Both the wheels and derailleurs were unusable, which is why I decided to convert it to a singlespeed.



Mercier Model 100 (Rally Sport)

bfuser191509248

A couple of things. Can I ask again how you know it's a model 100? Also, regarding the 'Rally Sport' name, I think I had read somewhere about the 'Rally Sport' designation for that model, but (as you can see in my Mercier thread) I only was able to locate catalog scans for the 200 ('Le Mans Club') and 300 ('Ultra Road'). So I'm wondering if you can tell me where you got the model number and RS name for your bike.

Also, I can tell you that my new 1969 Mercier (a 13th birthday gift that year), which was stolen in 1970, had the chromed front fork ends, but no chrome on the rear. I would have thought that this would be a strong indicator that mine was a 100. And yet your bike has the chrome at the rear, which I've associated with 200's and 300's. It could be that certain specs changed after 1969, but it's unclear to me. At any rate, I'd like to have these kinds of discussions in that Mercier thread, for the sake of completeness and convenience of future info searches.

TejanoTrackie 

The reason I say it was a Model 100 rather than a Model 200, is that the Model 200 was equipped with tubular wheels and tires, whereas the Model 100 had 27" clincher wheels and tires. The Model 200 was a entry level road racer, whereas the Model 100 was just a regular sporty touring / commute bike. As to the Rally Sport designation, I think I saw that in the eBay listing and perhaps some other internet postings, so my sources are no better than yours for this.

bfuser191509248

Thanks. I decided to quote this conversation over in my other thread. 50 years later, another Mercier

camjr

Here is my 1976 Motobecane Grand Touring after a complete teardown, spindle and bearing replacement in the French threaded bottom bracket, derailleur and brake cleaning and rebuild, headset and hub service, and cable replacement. I refurbished the original saddle and put it back on the bike. The initial shakedown ride showed I needed some slight fit adjustments after reassembly, and the old saddle kept sliding back on the post during my ride, but I'm quite pleased how it came out.

dickbandit 

A few updates to this bike since the last time I posted in this thread. Swapped the stem for a Nitto Technomic, bars for Nitto B135. Swapped the plastic Criterium rear derailleur for a Simplex SLJ6600 badged as a Gipiemme. This bike is a bit of a mystery, but it is badged as full 531 and has a nice ride. Fork is obviously a replacement. When I bought the bike (for $50!) the chromed fork was badly flaking so I cleaned it up and repainted it white. No visible damage to front end of frame and it tracks straight. A nice comfortable bike for long rides.

PilotFishBob 

Don't think I've ever posted the Grand Jubilé in this thread so... Out on a ride this morning before the thunderstorms roll in later today.

camjr

1976 Motobecane Grand Touring

Narhay

I like this. My size too

greg3rd48 

^^ Sweet!

big chainring 

Mercier with a Cadillac saddle.

garykent

Grand Record



Gitane


74 Peugoet PX10


Jenuet


Astra


Jubiliee

andrewcd

1980 PY10S




1983 PRO10

Jon T

'84 PH10LE.

lachlan1982

Nice! I like the Orange - getting ready to revive an old Orange Elvish racer - Mafac brakes, simplex derailleurs / shifters, chrome socks, DEA super chrome wheels. Will post pics when I get to 10!

satbuilder 

I have its twin.

mpetry912 

Actually, Sat, yours is a little nicer than mine, yours is original, mine is a (very nice) repaint.

does yours have the wood plug in the steerer tube ? A cool touch. they are really neat bikes.

Supposedly built by Henri Depierre at Cycles Gemini in Paris. Really beautiful work.

HPL

Purchased an old bike a few years ago and finally pulled it out into the light of day. The wonderful "crew" here was quickly able to identify an unknown frame (repainted, no decals). It has been determined that the bike is a Motobecane Grand Record '74/'75, 531 DB tubing. An inexpensive buy at the time with some components to be used elsewhere; but an intriguing frame with wonderful lugs (apparently a Nervex custom design for Motobecane, similar to early style "pro" design). My conundrum is that the frame is 62cm and I ride 52cm (although I've ridden up to 60.5cm comfortably), and I don't feel like restoring something I'll only "test" ride. Now I'm looking for this frame in my size and parting with the "big guy" frame. Since it wasn't too costly, I will sell reasonably; recoup $, not profit.

satbuilder 

Mark,

Yes, there's still a wood plug up in there. I never was really sure who actually did the building. It is a beautiful bike.

I think yours is beautiful.

Kurt

BFisher

Changed out the Benotto tape for some Fizik perforated. It is a closer match to the cable housing pink, and feels much better in my hands.

Manu431

As a lover of french bikes (and as a french guy myself), I just wanted to mention that Raymond Poulidor passed away last week.
He was maybe the most popular ever bicycle rider here in France, famous for epic fights during the tour de france against Jacques anquetil and Eddy Merckx.
He never won "Le Tour de France", but has been several time at second place.

Of course, he was professional in the best team at that time, Mercier, .....

If you don't know him, look at pictures on google.
All your beloved bikes will be featured.

Good bye Raymond !