Mercier 300
03-19-19, 09:24 PM
#1
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Mercier 300
Mercier 300 https://imgur.com/gallery/j1pyouB
Looks a bit bent, no? 59cm frame, not sure what the rest of the measurements are. I ride 60 to 62, 56 to 58 tt.
Looks a bit bent, no? 59cm frame, not sure what the rest of the measurements are. I ride 60 to 62, 56 to 58 tt.
03-19-19, 09:52 PM
#3
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CTC or CTT?
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03-19-19, 10:56 PM
#4
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Looks bent to me too. Size looks to be 23" maybe.
03-20-19, 07:02 AM
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+1, it's a Mericer 300.
+1, it's 23", not 25"
+1, the fork is bent but only slightly and should be an easy fix.
+1, it's 23", not 25"
+1, the fork is bent but only slightly and should be an easy fix.
03-20-19, 07:11 AM
#6
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Narhay-
+1 on the 23"/58 cm sizing. Fork looks kind of ok but should be checked. Nice to see a Bloor Cycle bike in one of the higher model ranges of Mercier.
+1 on the 23"/58 cm sizing. Fork looks kind of ok but should be checked. Nice to see a Bloor Cycle bike in one of the higher model ranges of Mercier.
03-20-19, 08:42 AM
#7
Newbie
If you don't mind, how can you guys tell it's bent? Is the fork slope on a different plane than the head tube? I'm not sure I would have spotted it otherwise...
Pretty bike though, is it your's Narhay?
Pretty bike though, is it your's Narhay?
03-20-19, 09:54 AM
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Can't day that it looks bent to me. Perhaps the fork is just turned a wee bit to the non-drive side. And, I really like the bike.
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03-20-19, 02:18 PM
#9
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Sure is a pretty Mercier and in the Team color, too! Could be just the power of suggestion but I think I'm seeing a suspect fork AND would examine the headtube junctions as well. Would be a shame if it's a crash victim beyond repair, but fingers crossed if you are the buyer!
03-20-19, 02:40 PM
#10
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I am going to have a look this evening. The bike looked like it was tipped upward but the photo is also tipped upward. I have been away from bikes since the fall due to a significant renovation but I think a project like this is just what I need to rekindle the interest...even if we are broke. I'll wheel it in in the dead of night.
I will feel around head tube and downtube junctions for any lumps or cracks. It is 59 ctt and a 59 tt although I am pretty sure if I measure it will be a 58cm tt.
I will feel around head tube and downtube junctions for any lumps or cracks. It is 59 ctt and a 59 tt although I am pretty sure if I measure it will be a 58cm tt.
03-20-19, 08:50 PM
#11
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I picked it up today. 59cm st ctt, 58cm tt ctc. Probably a cm or two small but I think I can make it work.
more photos
https://m.imgur.com/gallery/NqRpBaF
Came as a half step setup but also came with spare 52, 45 and 40 tooth chainrings. 3ttt stem and saddle, 26.4 nr seatpost, 531 throughout, simplex rd and fd, dura ace brakes and levers, stronglight p3 headset and presumably stronglight bb, high flange campy tipo hubs with French freewheel and 27" rims. Brakes look like they can handle 4mm drop so I have a set of sewups on record hubs I can put on. Also came with a stronglight crank remover, a few freewheel tools and the chainrings. Quite pleased with the condition and colour.
fork seems ok and is not misaligned or damaged in any way. Price was also excellent so all in all a good early birthday gift to myself.
more photos
https://m.imgur.com/gallery/NqRpBaF
Came as a half step setup but also came with spare 52, 45 and 40 tooth chainrings. 3ttt stem and saddle, 26.4 nr seatpost, 531 throughout, simplex rd and fd, dura ace brakes and levers, stronglight p3 headset and presumably stronglight bb, high flange campy tipo hubs with French freewheel and 27" rims. Brakes look like they can handle 4mm drop so I have a set of sewups on record hubs I can put on. Also came with a stronglight crank remover, a few freewheel tools and the chainrings. Quite pleased with the condition and colour.
fork seems ok and is not misaligned or damaged in any way. Price was also excellent so all in all a good early birthday gift to myself.
Last edited by Narhay; 03-20-19 at 09:23 PM.
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03-21-19, 06:18 AM
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Nice.
The fork probably looked bent because it's pretty steep-angled, but that is normal given the nice curve at the bottom of the legs giving most of the offset.
I just bought a French frameset online of a similar vintage where the forks look suspect to me, but it's even harder to tell when just looking at a bare frame. Crossing my fingers but either way it was a cheap purchase.
The fork probably looked bent because it's pretty steep-angled, but that is normal given the nice curve at the bottom of the legs giving most of the offset.
I just bought a French frameset online of a similar vintage where the forks look suspect to me, but it's even harder to tell when just looking at a bare frame. Crossing my fingers but either way it was a cheap purchase.
03-21-19, 06:55 AM
#14
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I put a level and straight edge on the frame and it all seems to check out. Just steeper frame angles and short wheelbase.
My plans for the bike are pretty mundane. Cut the obsolete simplex hanger off, yellow deep dish flipflop hub wheelset and shortie flat handlebar with a matte black rattlecan job.
My plans for the bike are pretty mundane. Cut the obsolete simplex hanger off, yellow deep dish flipflop hub wheelset and shortie flat handlebar with a matte black rattlecan job.
03-21-19, 08:10 AM
#15
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It is not difficult to convert a Simplex hanger to take a SunTour or Campag. derailleur. At any rate, I strongly advise against doing anything irreversible to the frame. You have a nearly-complete/original top-of-the-line Peugeot PX-10 equivalent in a somewhat rare color -- definitely worth preserving.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
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03-21-19, 08:42 AM
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I presume/hope you are being satirical.
It is not difficult to convert a Simplex hanger to take a SunTour or Campag. derailleur. At any rate, I strongly advise against doing anything irreversible to the frame. You have a nearly-complete/original top-of-the-line Peugeot PX-10 equivalent in a somewhat rare color -- definitely worth preserving.
It is not difficult to convert a Simplex hanger to take a SunTour or Campag. derailleur. At any rate, I strongly advise against doing anything irreversible to the frame. You have a nearly-complete/original top-of-the-line Peugeot PX-10 equivalent in a somewhat rare color -- definitely worth preserving.
03-21-19, 08:59 AM
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What a piece of Poo-Poo.
03-21-19, 09:19 AM
#18
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I presume/hope you are being satirical.
It is not difficult to convert a Simplex hanger to take a SunTour or Campag. derailleur. At any rate, I strongly advise against doing anything irreversible to the frame. You have a nearly-complete/original top-of-the-line Peugeot PX-10 equivalent in a somewhat rare color -- definitely worth preserving.
It is not difficult to convert a Simplex hanger to take a SunTour or Campag. derailleur. At any rate, I strongly advise against doing anything irreversible to the frame. You have a nearly-complete/original top-of-the-line Peugeot PX-10 equivalent in a somewhat rare color -- definitely worth preserving.
My plans are to put it back into as pristine club racer condition as I can. Cut and wax, new record hub tubular wheels, swap out some chainrings and freewheel, new consumables and maybe throw some barcons on. I will tap the pedal threads because I enjoy riding SPDs.
It has been sitting for some time. I tried to shift the FD and instead of the simplex delrin cracking the fd cable snapped. The tires still have the case moulding but they are looking pretty dry.
03-21-19, 09:27 AM
#19
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That is absolutely gorgeous. The colour is fantastic, as are the hubs and crankset. Can't wait to see it without that rack. The pump is super cool too, love the pastel blue against the pink.
03-21-19, 09:28 AM
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That is a gorgeous bike and if it were my size I would be envious. But I have a question about the model designation. My understanding was that the 100-200-300 models were all made from hi-ten tubing and different levels of equipment. The 531 etc models had different names. Do you know what model this one is now that you have had a chance to see it?
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03-21-19, 09:34 AM
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That is a gorgeous bike and if it were my size I would be envious. But I have a question about the model designation. My understanding was that the 100-200-300 models were all made from hi-ten tubing and different levels of equipment. The 531 etc models had different names. Do you know what model this one is now that you have had a chance to see it?
Edit: Here's a circa 1971 catalogue scan for the 300. It differs from the OP's sample only in the amount of chrome, indicating a slightly later version. However, the OP"s bicycle should still be boom era based on the Reynolds' decal style.
Last edited by T-Mar; 03-21-19 at 09:57 AM.
03-21-19, 09:40 AM
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03-21-19, 09:58 AM
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03-21-19, 10:18 AM
#24
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It is a Mercier 300, also known as the Ultra Road. The 300 used a complete Reynolds 531DB tubeset and was direct competition for the Gitane Tour de France and Peugeot PX10.
Edit: Here's a circa 1971 catalogue scan for the 300. It differs from the OP's sample only in the amount of chrome, indicating a slightly later version. However, the OP"s bicycle should still be boom era based on the Reynolds' decal style.
Edit: Here's a circa 1971 catalogue scan for the 300. It differs from the OP's sample only in the amount of chrome, indicating a slightly later version. However, the OP"s bicycle should still be boom era based on the Reynolds' decal style.
03-21-19, 10:41 AM
#25
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I've never collected and studied the Mercier serial numbers because relatively few surface. However, there may be 7x year codes on the rear derailleur's cage and underside of the body of the front derailleur. The hubs for the OEM tubular wheelset may have had a similar coding. Unfortunately the French manufacturers don't appear to have routinely applied date codes during the boom. It seems to be hit and miss.
Last edited by T-Mar; 03-21-19 at 11:05 AM. Reason: added photos