Tempted by a Mercier...
#1
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Tempted by a Mercier...
Any experts out there that can identify this? Link to ad
For the price and with those lovely chrome front lugs, I'm sorely tempted...
For the price and with those lovely chrome front lugs, I'm sorely tempted...
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One of the forum members has a lovely Panasonic Professional with chrome stays, fork socks and head tube lugs. That bicycle, in my opinion, would far outshine the Mercier presented. Suntour trans with Barcons adds some sweetness to the machine.
My guess is it would be a much less expensive and more satisfying way to go. Wish I had more room in my dramatically diminished stable.
My guess is it would be a much less expensive and more satisfying way to go. Wish I had more room in my dramatically diminished stable.
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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
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Ok. Is the Panasonic for sale?
I have contacted the owner on your behalf.
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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
Last edited by randyjawa; 05-04-15 at 01:20 PM.
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Don't bid on the Mercier without knowing both the outer diameter (likely 28.0mm, because it is French and thus hard metric) and inner diameter (the larger, the better) of the seat tube. If it has a butted moly steel alloy (probably Reynolds 531) frame, the seat tube ID should be roughly 26.6mm. The purists may sneer at the dropouts, which appear to be stamped with a brazed-on fitting for the QR clamp, rather than forged, but this is actually not a bad system, and a cost saving trick Otto Cap used on his otherwise high-end frames.
The blue one is the plain version used with straight gauge 531 frames, whereas the chrome one has the extra braze-on used with his double-butted 531 frames.
The blue one is the plain version used with straight gauge 531 frames, whereas the chrome one has the extra braze-on used with his double-butted 531 frames.
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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
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One of the forum members has a lovely Panasonic Professional with chrome stays, fork socks and head tube lugs. That bicycle, in my opinion, would far outshine the Mercier presented. Suntour trans with Barcons adds some sweetness to the machine.
. . . My guess is it would be a much less expensive and more satisfying way to go. Wish I had more room in my dramatically diminished stable.
. . . My guess is it would be a much less expensive and more satisfying way to go. Wish I had more room in my dramatically diminished stable.
#7
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Thanks for all the notes! The reardropouts have a slight angular form to them, and I would say are forged, I have another bike with the same, stamped Vitus. The ad says Reynolds, so it could be 501 but I reckon 531 is much more likely - who would bother chroming the lugs on a 501 frame??
Still thinking...
Still thinking...
#8
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Thanks for all the notes! The rear dropouts have a slight angular form to them, and I would say are forged, I have another bike with the same, stamped Vitus. The ad says Reynolds, so it could be 501 but I reckon 531 is much more likely - who would bother chroming the lugs on a 501 frame??
Still thinking...
Still thinking...
The Asian made "Mercier" bikes have NOTHING to do with the olde French company.
I've never seen a yellow Mercier. Looks like the frame has been repainted - not a very good job either.
I'd check the lugs for rust... Rusty chrome is a deal breaker for me but if someone wanted to build up a beater/rider bike then it's not such a big thing.
The dropouts look like they're Super Vitus which would indicate a reasonably good quality frame. Mercier used pantographed fork crowns in the early 80s.
They also built a bikes with various kinds on Columbus tubing.
Here's my 1984 Mercier frame. I wanted a Mercier Team Pink one but this red frame was in such nice condition I couldn't pass it up.
It's made of Columbus SL tubing and the workmanship is top quality.
verktyg
Chas.
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Last edited by verktyg; 05-05-15 at 01:40 AM.
#9
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Thank you again Chas
Panto'd seat stays, 'something' on the fork crown and what looks to be the same lugs as in your pics, I think my only remaining question is "will I ever get around to doing something with it?"
Panto'd seat stays, 'something' on the fork crown and what looks to be the same lugs as in your pics, I think my only remaining question is "will I ever get around to doing something with it?"
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