Show your French bikes!
05-18-23, 06:56 AM
#3701
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thanks very much for sharing this rare find with the forum
me guess would be that it was purchased overseas and brought back by a traveler
have never seen this model carried by a U.S. stockist
puhleeze lower stem before attempting to ride - serious safety risk with so little engagement with steerer
if stem needs to be that high for comfort that is fine; just replace with a taller one than what came OEM
the MAFAC guidonnet levers with their plastic are near to useless; if you would like to retain guidonnets suggest to change to the CLB which are much more robust & rigid
snip . . .
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thanks very much for sharing this rare find with the forum
me guess would be that it was purchased overseas and brought back by a traveler
have never seen this model carried by a U.S. stockist
puhleeze lower stem before attempting to ride - serious safety risk with so little engagement with steerer
if stem needs to be that high for comfort that is fine; just replace with a taller one than what came OEM
the MAFAC guidonnet levers with their plastic are near to useless; if you would like to retain guidonnets suggest to change to the CLB which are much more robust & rigid
snip . . .
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05-18-23, 07:07 AM
#3702
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Photo set here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/iCvF8RjKigmkiqoZ7
This bike was hanging on the wall in Talbots Cyclery since it was new. It's never been ridden. I have never ridden it either! I installed different tires, and made a decaleur for the handlebar bag since I took these photos. 700C wheels, it's a sportif model with all the bells and whistles.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/iCvF8RjKigmkiqoZ7
This bike was hanging on the wall in Talbots Cyclery since it was new. It's never been ridden. I have never ridden it either! I installed different tires, and made a decaleur for the handlebar bag since I took these photos. 700C wheels, it's a sportif model with all the bells and whistles.
thanks so much for sharing this treasure JIm!
when you write Talbots Cyclery is this the one on El Camino in San Mateo, California or another one?
noticed the rubber chainslap protector hath gone walkabout
at last check replicas were stocked by Hiroshi at Jitensha Studio in Berkeley, California
as recalled, there was a selection of six or so colours
it appears the clamp parts on the clip for the Tron et Berthet 90-I have been changed from the stock ones in order to give loops for the attachment of a saddle bag. are these bits made by Singer or available elsewhere?
thanks again
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Last edited by juvela; 05-18-23 at 07:18 AM. Reason: addition
05-18-23, 07:13 AM
#3703
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it does not show very clearly on the catalogue page illustration but the CLB guidonnet and safety levers have a triangular cross-section of the lever proper
this design makes them quite rigid
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05-18-23, 07:45 AM
#3704
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05-18-23, 07:55 AM
#3705
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thanks very much for sharing this rare find with the forum
me guess would be that it was purchased overseas and brought back by a traveler
have never seen this model carried by a U.S. stockist
puhleeze lower stem before attempting to ride - serious safety risk with so little engagement with steerer
if stem needs to be that high for comfort that is fine; just replace with a taller one than what came OEM
the MAFAC guidonnet levers with their plastic are near to useless; if you would like to retain guidonnets suggest to change to the CLB which are much more robust & rigid
thanks very much for sharing this rare find with the forum
me guess would be that it was purchased overseas and brought back by a traveler
have never seen this model carried by a U.S. stockist
puhleeze lower stem before attempting to ride - serious safety risk with so little engagement with steerer
if stem needs to be that high for comfort that is fine; just replace with a taller one than what came OEM
the MAFAC guidonnet levers with their plastic are near to useless; if you would like to retain guidonnets suggest to change to the CLB which are much more robust & rigid
It was indeed brought back to the states from Germany by a US serviceman in the 70's.
And duly noted about the stem height; I was fiddling with the stem/seatpost height before taking the shots and it's apparent that I'll have to do some adjustments to the cockpit. I have a few 22.0 stems in the parts bin, as well as a set of Mafac drop bar levers that should play well with the Mafac canti's. I always save all the original parts to my bikes, in case i have to make them "all original" again for potential resale.
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05-18-23, 09:40 AM
#3706
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Bikes: 1946 Holdsworth Cyclone, 1969 Cinelli SC, 1972 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Merz road bike, 1974 Alex Singer Sportif, 1974 Merz track bike, 1975 Teledyne Titan, 1976 Ritchey road bike, 1977 DiNucci built Merz track bike, 1977 (?) Exxon Graftek, many more!
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The Talbots shop in San Mateo is where this was hanging on the wall. Did you check out the photos in the link? The stem has the original owner's name and city engraved one it. Evidently, the two brothers who owned the shop went to Paris and each ordered a custom bike. One from Rene Hurse, the other one from Singer. The brother who got the Singer didn't ride much, so it hung on the wall for all these years. A few years ago, when the shop closed, the bothers had been involved in a long standing feud. The Singer got sold without the one brother being told! Anyway, I got it because it was too big for the new buyer. I got an original chain slapper rubber, these photos were from when I first got the bike. I don't understand your comment about saddle bag clips. The seat post top clamp has tabs that allow the saddle angle to be locked, this might be what you are seeing. The saddle does not have bag clips. Jim Merz
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05-18-23, 09:41 AM
#3707
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Thanks for the info!
It was indeed brought back to the states from Germany by a US serviceman in the 70's.
And duly noted about the stem height; I was fiddling with the stem/seatpost height before taking the shots and it's apparent that I'll have to do some adjustments to the cockpit. I have a few 22.0 stems in the parts bin, as well as a set of Mafac drop bar levers that should play well with the Mafac canti's. I always save all the original parts to my bikes, in case i have to make them "all original" again for potential resale.
It was indeed brought back to the states from Germany by a US serviceman in the 70's.
And duly noted about the stem height; I was fiddling with the stem/seatpost height before taking the shots and it's apparent that I'll have to do some adjustments to the cockpit. I have a few 22.0 stems in the parts bin, as well as a set of Mafac drop bar levers that should play well with the Mafac canti's. I always save all the original parts to my bikes, in case i have to make them "all original" again for potential resale.
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it is generally a good idea to have at least six or seven cm of stem down inside the steerer for safety
failures in this location can be catastrophic
if you would like to keep the bicycle all french and all period the ATAX brand made stems which are taller than the usually encountered AVA & PIVO models
this one even came with a Peugeot emblem -
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Delrin shift levers mentioned by bikemig above -
this model Simplex Prestige shift lever launched 1970 and first appeared on new 1971 model bicycles
there are all-metal Simplex shift levers which are contemporaneous with the bicycle, such as the Criterium model as shown on this catalogue page of 1971; the Criterium front mech would also be an upgrade which would be period correct
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dating -
do not think cycle could be earlier than about 1974-5 as this was about the time the first Lyotard pedals appear with the dustcap exhibited by the cycle's Model 25R pedals
if cycle were any later some of its other kitting would have differed
catalogue page of 1977:
an earlier Lyotard model 36 pedal showed this dustcap -
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possible you may find that the machine's Simplex Prestige gear mechs carry a date mark as here -
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Last edited by juvela; 05-18-23 at 10:09 AM. Reason: addition
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05-18-23, 10:34 AM
#3708
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Exactly what I was thinking about. I mean not your Mirage (though it's lovely). I was thinking whether getting Pletscher rear rack would work with mine (which also doesn't have braze-ons for a rack on the seatstays). Looks like it would 
Are you able to use any panier bags with it?
Are you able to use any panier bags with it?
05-18-23, 10:36 AM
#3709
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Exactly what I was thinking about. I mean not your Mirage (though it's lovely). I was thinking whether getting Pletscher rear rack would work with mine (which also doesn't have braze-ons for a rack on the seatstays). Looks like it would
Are you able to use any panier bags with it?
Are you able to use any panier bags with it?
05-18-23, 04:19 PM
#3710
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I guess I'd have to give it a go. Over the next few months I might find myself carrying some equipment for work and a backpack might not be sufficient or practical. Guess will have to do some research regarding the subject
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06-06-23, 06:51 PM
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06-06-23, 09:31 PM
#3713
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Work is progressing on this old beauty, a 1972/3 Peugeot AE 8.
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We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
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06-08-23, 09:19 PM
#3716
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Some of the shiny bits are ready for the AE 8.
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We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
06-08-23, 09:21 PM
#3717
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The PX-10 is back in tan-walled summer mode!
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06-08-23, 10:13 PM
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06-09-23, 05:37 AM
#3721
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A recent French arrival with a Kiwi accent .
1983 by the decals . I dont recall ever seeing one of these in green .
Vitus 980 tubing
Sticker on bottom of seat tube proves the Kiwi connection
I would be interested to hear opinions on saddle and bar tape colours
Healing industries sticker
1983 by the decals . I dont recall ever seeing one of these in green .
Vitus 980 tubing
Sticker on bottom of seat tube proves the Kiwi connection
I would be interested to hear opinions on saddle and bar tape colours
Healing industries sticker
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08-15-23, 12:21 PM
#3722
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Just picked up this Mercier 300 for my partner. I go on about French bikes all the **** time and she wants to see what all the fuss is about. It'll also be her first try with friction shifting. So, I'm prepared to be listing at least the frame here if it don't work out. Really like the color on this one. Came with tubulars too. Got it from the original owner. Seller photos:
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Last edited by Sedgemop; 08-21-23 at 09:27 AM.
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08-15-23, 01:48 PM
#3723
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I love a curvy French gal… I mean fork! Dogleg bends or straight legs just look cheap IMHO. The graceful radius at the end of the forks just looks lovely!
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08-15-23, 02:04 PM
#3724
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08-15-23, 02:51 PM
#3725
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A recent French arrival with a Kiwi accent .
1983 by the decals . I dont recall ever seeing one of these in green .
Vitus 980 tubing
Sticker on bottom of seat tube proves the Kiwi connection
I would be interested to hear opinions on saddle and bar tape colours
Healing industries sticker
1983 by the decals . I dont recall ever seeing one of these in green .
Vitus 980 tubing
Sticker on bottom of seat tube proves the Kiwi connection
I would be interested to hear opinions on saddle and bar tape colours
Healing industries sticker
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