chilisincarne

Any idea what this about? Is it worth the asking price?

1970's MERCIER Reynolds 531 Frame/Parts, No Wheels 55cm

Thanks

rootboy 

Pretty neat old frame. I think the price is close to realistic. But only if you are aware the of the limitations of early 70s French bikes and their parts requirements.

chilisincarne

I'm aware of the french bottom bracket. What else would I have to keep in mind?

bikemig 

Paging @gerv, he has I think the exact same bike. Nice bike and in very good shape. I'd be sorely tempted to buy it at this price as it's my size. This is a fair price.

French (or swiss) bb is the biggest problem. The threading on the cranks might be for french threaded pedals but it's easy enough to have someone tap them out to English. Plus you have a french threaded headset and a 22.0 stem to deal with.

There are solutions to the stem problem, https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-any-tips.html

French threaded headsets are available, https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...d-headset.html

So are french threaded BBs, https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...cups-1159.html

Basically you can get what you need to get this fine old bike running again.

rootboy 

The main thing I was thinking about is the derailleur hanger. Being Simplex, there aren't many options other than second hand Simplex rear derailleurs if you decide to, or have to, replace the current Criterium derailleur. It could work just fine for another forty years. Or, it could disintegrate tomorrow.

You could alter the ha ger to accept a different rear derailleur, but that is a bad option, IMO.

big chainring 

Wow! That's my favorite color and favorite vintage Mercier. That's gold in my opinion. Throw on a vintage set of wheels and away you go. $199 is quite the bargain.

chilisincarne

It's a 300, I'm assuming?

juvela

yes, model 300.

Kactus

I think the price is reasonable for a full 531 frame and the included parts, especially in Portland. As long as you're comfortable with the limitations regarding the availability of French components, I think you could have a really nice bike for not a whole lot of money.

Bianchigirll 

Looks nice to me. I do agree you need to be willing to work with the frame limitations but there are still a lot of options and a lot of life in this old Gal.

gerv 

@bikemig, good advice!

Yeah, I bought a similar Mercier about 5 years ago... also without wheels. That one is their top of the line... full 531 Reynolds... mine weighs about 22 pounds.

Here's a thread on it: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ier-build.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...er-models.html

as of today:


Yes... a nide bike... probably worth the asking price but remember that it's going to be a bit of a "project"

xiaoman1 

Hi, assuming no dents or bends I think it is a fair price and given the color a better price....you can get later simplex derailuers (metal, non plastic) and use shimano or metal wheels no bigee. Offer a little less and go from there.
JM2C , Ben