Classic & Vintage - Mercier need help identifying

I bought a bike from a yard sale today for $5. All it says on it is Mercier, made in France. It is a Mixtie frame. Cranks say advprat universal. Simplex front and rear. Normandy hubs front and rear with quick releas front and rear. Shifters are onthe downtube. Decal says Special Luxtub. Has Mafac Racer center pull brakes. Chrome tip front fork and chrome tips in rear. Tires 27 x 1 1/4 and Saminox made in France wheels. Frame is in good shape with just a little surface rust. Handle bars are not drops but straight with turn on ends and rubber grips. 10 speed. What is it? Is it worth anything or fixing up. Any general info would be appreciated since I am new at this. Thanks.

A mixte! Oooh, we need photos!

Luxtub was the type of tubing. Are the Samonix rims of checkered steel? The chrome tip front fork says a bit more upper end, but photos would be really nice...

East Hill

Thanks for the reply. Rims do have the checkered steel. Is that good or bad? Since I am new at this I need to learn all I can. From what little I have learned I thought Chrome tipped forks were a little more upper end and the shifter on the down tube. Still interested in the make, Mercier, good, bad, ugly. Should I try to clean up the wheels and save them? Frame is painted a medium green looks factory. I'll try for pictures soon. Thanks again.

Sounds like an early 1970's Mercier Ladies Sports, a.k.a. the model 111. Mercier was one of the bigger french manufafacturers, but not as large, popular or widely distributed as Peugeot and Motobecane, but about equivalent in workmanship. The upright bars are original. It's an entry level model, roughly equivalent ot the Peugeot UO8. Original price was $135 US, circa 1973. Current value will depend a lot on the mechanical condition and local market conditions, unless you plan on selling it via the internet. It's hard to say - maybe $50. However, if it has the plastic brake levers, in good condition, those alone should fetch that value.

Thanks T-Mar. Beginning to get some information. Probably did not go wrong for $5.00. Thanks agian for the info.

Never did get a reply from anyone if the checkered steel rims are good or bad --- keep or replace. Must have been some reason to ask if they were. Now I wonder why?

Oh, steel rims are not a good option if you live in an area with abundant rain (like Seattle). They are all right if you live where it's dry. It's difficult to stop when the steel rims get wet.

Photos?

East Hill