Portland 1970s bikes
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 61
Bikes: 1974 Falcon Olympic ,1982 Trek 710(both all Reynolds 531), 1974 Raleigh Sports, the'Keep Portland Weird'Montgomery Ward Open Road 10sp with basement sourced modern parts, 1989 TREK 400, 1980s Nishiki mixte, 1981 VINER Special Professional,Rockhopper
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times
in
4 Posts
Portland 1970s bikes
Back in the 1970s in Portland, Oregon more than anything I wanted a bike built by one of the Portland holy three: Jim Merz, Mark DeNucci or Bruce Gordon. At the time I could not afford one of their bikes. In 1982 I purchased my beloved TREK 710 frame which was pretty darn close. Jump forward 40+ years and I doubted I would ever find one of their previously owned bikes to fit my 5'3" (and shrinking every year). Jim Merz shared on his FB an ad for one of his bikes for sale at a Portland LBS only 40 mins from my home. I rushed over and as of a week ago it is mine,mine,mine. It's in amazing shape. 50cm frame, Colombus SL and mostly Campy Record mechs. I couldn't be happier with it.
My question: is there anyone out there who owns or has owned a bike built by all three: Merz, DeNucci and Gordon?
photo credit James Mason
50cm frame, Colombus SL and mostly Campy Record mechs. I couldn't be happier with it.
My question: is there anyone out there who owns or has owned a bike built by all three: Merz, DeNucci and Gordon?
My question: is there anyone out there who owns or has owned a bike built by all three: Merz, DeNucci and Gordon?
photo credit James Mason
50cm frame, Colombus SL and mostly Campy Record mechs. I couldn't be happier with it.
My question: is there anyone out there who owns or has owned a bike built by all three: Merz, DeNucci and Gordon?
Likes For Mikier:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 14,101
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4493 Post(s)
Liked 6,297 Times
in
3,632 Posts
Back in the 1970s in Portland, Oregon more than anything I wanted a bike built by one of the Portland holy three: Jim Merz, Mark DeNucci or Bruce Gordon. At the time I could not afford one of their bikes. In 1982 I purchased my beloved TREK 710 frame which was pretty darn close. Jump forward 40+ years and I doubted I would ever find one of their previously owned bikes to fit my 5'3" (and shrinking every year). Jim Merz shared on his FB an ad for one of his bikes for sale at a Portland LBS only 40 mins from my home. I rushed over and as of a week ago it is mine,mine,mine. It's in amazing shape. 50cm frame, Colombus SL and mostly Campy Record mechs. I couldn't be happier with it.
My question: is there anyone out there who owns or has owned a bike built by all three: Merz, DeNucci and Gordon?
photo credit James Mason
50cm frame, Colombus SL and mostly Campy Record mechs. I couldn't be happier with it.
My question: is there anyone out there who owns or has owned a bike built by all three: Merz, DeNucci and Gordon?
My question: is there anyone out there who owns or has owned a bike built by all three: Merz, DeNucci and Gordon?
photo credit James Mason
50cm frame, Colombus SL and mostly Campy Record mechs. I couldn't be happier with it.
My question: is there anyone out there who owns or has owned a bike built by all three: Merz, DeNucci and Gordon?
I have 5 Merz's, 4 Strawberry's with two having been built by DiNucci, Andy Newlands started Strawberry and hired DiNucci, Andy is actually one of the original triad and still in business.
DiNucci eventually worked for Merz as well then also went out on his own, he and Merz went to Specialized, Merz was first and DiNucci followed.
I met Jim when I was in HS and like you could never afford one until about 10 years ago.
Gordon was not a PDX builder, he was in Eugene for 10 years, hung out and rode with the others as the photo shows. He came from Calif. and went back after.
I have one of his from this time as well.
Last edited by merziac; 09-11-22 at 04:17 PM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 14,101
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4493 Post(s)
Liked 6,297 Times
in
3,632 Posts
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 14,101
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4493 Post(s)
Liked 6,297 Times
in
3,632 Posts
@Mikier
Merz and Newlands both employed numerous other builders at the time as well and many were also instrumental in the success and fantastic work they all did.
The pool was deep and many jumped in, all leading to PDX being the framebuilding epicenter it still is today.
Merz and Newlands both employed numerous other builders at the time as well and many were also instrumental in the success and fantastic work they all did.
The pool was deep and many jumped in, all leading to PDX being the framebuilding epicenter it still is today.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 14,101
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4493 Post(s)
Liked 6,297 Times
in
3,632 Posts
Likes For merziac:
#6
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 61
Bikes: 1974 Falcon Olympic ,1982 Trek 710(both all Reynolds 531), 1974 Raleigh Sports, the'Keep Portland Weird'Montgomery Ward Open Road 10sp with basement sourced modern parts, 1989 TREK 400, 1980s Nishiki mixte, 1981 VINER Special Professional,Rockhopper
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times
in
4 Posts
Wow... wonderful collection. Would love to see them in person sometime. I live on Sauvie Island.
PS Do you know if Merz logoed stuff is still being sold (hat, water bottle)?
Thanks
Michael
PS Do you know if Merz logoed stuff is still being sold (hat, water bottle)?
Thanks
Michael
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 14,101
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4493 Post(s)
Liked 6,297 Times
in
3,632 Posts
No Merz gear, it was always thin on the ground, I don't think he made that much.
The silver Merz came from Sauvie island, original owner, great guy, great deal.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Upper Left, USA
Posts: 1,953
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 634 Post(s)
Liked 444 Times
in
298 Posts
I immediately thought of @merziac when the question was asked. Ne plus ultra of PDX builder collections. Merziac, do you know of any other collections as extensive as yours? Did Velocult have anything similar while they were around?
Likes For tricky:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 14,101
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4493 Post(s)
Liked 6,297 Times
in
3,632 Posts
I immediately thought of @merziac when the question was asked. Ne plus ultra of PDX builder collections. Merziac, do you know of any other collections as extensive as yours? Did Velocult have anything similar while they were around?
And he had a warehouse full of crazy rare bizarre Ritcheys, and so many other MTB's, road, track and off the wall stuff it was mind boggling that went to the Pro's Closet
He had a couple of other Merz consignments along the way and I'm sure somebody has more than me but I don't know about them at this point.
We saw the most recent one that sold last week or so and Justyne at BR also had the other frame awhile back that I passed/missed so she may be the current Merz whisperer but shes flipping them, again, so....
Likes For merziac:
#11
blahblahblah chrome moly
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,977
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1162 Post(s)
Liked 2,542 Times
in
1,065 Posts
Depends on which bike you're talking about. If you meanmerziac 's, then yes those are Merz brand.
Note how the front doesn't attach to the dropout, so it doesn't stiffen the lower curved part of the fork against acting as suspension on bumpy road. Connecting to the top of the steerer is structurally efficient.
F and R both attach with precision, custom-sized clamps that don't need any braze-on on the frame/fork. Total show-off move! But in a good way, I am a fan.
Each rack was made to fit a particular frame/fork, and is very unlikely to fit on any other.
Large diameter thinwall steel, very good stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios. We all know that now, but back when Jim started doing those, no one else had anything similar. (Bruce Gordon racks came along later.)
Mark B
Note how the front doesn't attach to the dropout, so it doesn't stiffen the lower curved part of the fork against acting as suspension on bumpy road. Connecting to the top of the steerer is structurally efficient.
F and R both attach with precision, custom-sized clamps that don't need any braze-on on the frame/fork. Total show-off move! But in a good way, I am a fan.
Each rack was made to fit a particular frame/fork, and is very unlikely to fit on any other.
Large diameter thinwall steel, very good stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios. We all know that now, but back when Jim started doing those, no one else had anything similar. (Bruce Gordon racks came along later.)
Mark B
Likes For bulgie:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 14,101
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4493 Post(s)
Liked 6,297 Times
in
3,632 Posts
Depends on which bike you're talking about. If you meanmerziac 's, then yes those are Merz brand.
Note how the front doesn't attach to the dropout, so it doesn't stiffen the lower curved part of the fork against acting as suspension on bumpy road. Connecting to the top of the steerer is structurally efficient.
F and R both attach with precision, custom-sized clamps that don't need any braze-on on the frame/fork. Total show-off move! But in a good way, I am a fan.
Each rack was made to fit a particular frame/fork, and is very unlikely to fit on any other.
Large diameter thinwall steel, very good stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios. We all know that now, but back when Jim started doing those, no one else had anything similar. (Bruce Gordon racks came along later.)
Mark B
Note how the front doesn't attach to the dropout, so it doesn't stiffen the lower curved part of the fork against acting as suspension on bumpy road. Connecting to the top of the steerer is structurally efficient.
F and R both attach with precision, custom-sized clamps that don't need any braze-on on the frame/fork. Total show-off move! But in a good way, I am a fan.
Each rack was made to fit a particular frame/fork, and is very unlikely to fit on any other.
Large diameter thinwall steel, very good stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios. We all know that now, but back when Jim started doing those, no one else had anything similar. (Bruce Gordon racks came along later.)
Mark B
As you pointed out Gordon racks came along later, after he hung out with Jim while working in Eugene, Jim started building his very early on in his run.
I guess low rider racks accomplish this with their mid to upper fork mounts but it seems like there are almost no other good options. It also seems to me that Jim's mounting setup ties the whole front end together very cohesively, spreading the load around so it utilizes the entire front of the bike, assume this is what you meant by "efficient".
I took this bike to Eroica the first time I went in 2017, rode the short whimpy route but there was a pretty good hardpack gravel downhill at one point so I pointed the bike down and let it rip, the faster I went, the more stable it was, I was flat out in high gear flying down it. No load on the front but it was amazing how well it handled and rode.