goncalompls

Hi there,
I’m continuing my search for a pink Mercier and I came across the one below. Any ideas on the year and how much is worth? The price is set for 120€ in France is this a good deal? And is this a good bike?
Thank you

juvela

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nice find

excellent value

looks like ~1974-75 time

possible you may find a date mark on the cycle's Juy gear mechs as here -





if you purchase it please make a thread on your work with it


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zukahn1 

I would agree on the dating of 75 looks to have fairly good paint and nearly all of the original parts in decent shape. While it needs a lot of work the price pretty good. I think it should clean up nice.

roadcrankr

Mercier made better models. Personally not a fan of Simplex. Finicky shifting at best.
And those are the lower-end Stronglight cranks. Finding a replacement large chainring could prove challenging.
The wheels look upgraded from the expected Normandy hubs.
Decent frameset, if you really seek the pink color.
You might find a more upscale model, which you can get repainted, with aftermarket decals readily available.

goncalompls

Thanks for this. My knowledge on Mercier bikes is very low specially in terms of models/ years and what could be a upscale model. Is there any images of the models you recommend you can send please? Cheers

roadcrankr

Since you reside rather close to France, you would likely find a large quantity of Merciers in nice condition.
They sold tons of bikes in the 60's and 70's. With a big enough budget, no doubt you can obtain a beautiful example.
The photo below looks like their top-of-the-line model. These would be less plentiful, but made popular from strong riders and teams.
French threads could prove another sticking point. English and Italian threads make things easier.
Colnago, Bianchi, Paramount, Bob Jackson, Holdsworth, DeRosa, Bottechia, Cinelli, etc.

JackJohn

I would say mid-70s entry level of the “Course” range, can’t read the Reynolds decal but surely 3 tubes, as suggested you can confirm the appx. year elsewhere for clues, you can also check pedals and brakes - Mafac sometimes stamped it inside the brake caliper arms, not easy to spot and and not always available but worth the effort. Not a bad bike, but there’s better too. Crank model 49D is ok, the only upgrade I would make would be derailleurs/shifters and saddle. About the former, given French standards can be tricky, I would stay on Simplex all metal parts. SLJ parts are quite expensive and too much for this bike, there are SX/SJ better priced parts that would be fine.
As per the bike value, you can find a better price if you’re patient and lucky enough, but if you’re ok with the model and you like it just go for it, frame and painting seem in good conditions.

goncalompls

I just came across another model for sale in the same area. The advert doesn’t have lots of details but I will post some pictures.





Is this a better purchase? They’re pretty much the same price, this is at 135€.

bikemig 

I'd give the nod to the first of the two bikes. That is a decent price on a Reynolds 3 tubes Mercier particularly one with the iconic pink color. The crank is nicer on the 2d of the two bikes but the parts on the first are serviceable (other than the front derailleur which will likely need replacing). The second does have a brooks pro saddle which looks to be in good shape though and that adds value. I like the mafac racer brakes and the high flange hubs laced to mavic mod e rims on the first. You'll likely find those derailleurs serviceable other than the front derailleur. I believe the style of simplex drop out on the first will allow you to run a campy derailleur without modification but that may be true of the 2d bike as well as I am not familiar with that drop out. I also like the TA water bottle cage on the first which should be easy to salvage (and they're hard to find in decent shape).

That said, you won't go wrong at that price on either bike as long as they check out and there are reasons (saddle and crank for example) to favor the 2d of the two. Also I'm assuming that the 2d also has 531 main tubes but I don't see a sticker so I'm not certain. If not, buy the first.

goncalompls

Thanks for all the info bikemig ! Second appears to have a Mercier 28-26 sticker on it which I assume is a lower rear than the Reynolds 531?

bikemig 

The Merciers sold in Europe are somewhat different than those sold in the US and so I'm not that familiar with them. I have no idea what the Mercier tubing sticker 28-26 is but it's not Reynolds and for all I know it could be Mercier's version of hi tensile steel or it might be something nicer.

That said, I'd likely buy the first of the 2 if it checks out. Reynolds 531 main tubes makes for a nice riding bike. The neat thing about the simplex RD (and the rear unlike the front tends to hold up over time) is that it can handle a decent size freewheel and simplex RDs do tend to shift nicely. Also stronglight had a very long production run making cranks. Parts will be available if you need to rebuild that bottom bracket especially since you live in the UK. You also can swap out that crank for pretty much any of the stronglight cranks without too much tweaking. The stronglight 99 crank, for example, will let you run smaller chainrings than a "racing" crank like the stronglight 93 which may interest you depending on how fit you are and how hilly the areas are where you like to ride. The stronglight 49d can be tweaked as well but that is more complicated. Pre Covid I was able to buy stronglight 99 rings new readily in the UK but shipping costs have gone crazy.

goncalompls

Thanks for all the answers here super helpful as always!
I’m looking to get a nice saddle for the bike from the same eta as well as an upgrade set of gears. Any recommendations on what to use and how far shall I go in terms of budget?
Thank you

bikemig 

Did you buy the first of the 2 Merciers? There's likely no reason to "upgrade" the gears. The front derailleur will need to be changed out but the rear derailleurs are fine. For a saddle, look for a used Brooks in decent shape. That's shouldn't be too hard to find in the UK . . .

For the front derailleur, look for a used campy nuovo record. That shouldn't be too expensive. Unless the FD was designed for a French bike, the clamp size will be a bit too large (the downtube on a British bike is 28.6, a French bike is 28.0). A bit of electrical tape under the clamp will help.

The simplex criterium rear derailleur is pretty good and can handle a decent sized freewheel.

https://www.velobase.com/ViewCompone...5-f5438c4ba4fd