devinfan

Courtesy of our own randyjawa, who was as usual a pleasure to deal with and should teach a course in packing bikes. I couldn't resist this Mercier because it is almost identical to a bike I used to pass on the way to work every day and coveted because it's my favourite colour. I went so far as to put a note on the bike saying I would buy it from the owner for a more than fair price but he wasn't interested in selling, so when Randy's came up for sale I couldn't say no. Nothing special by the standards of folks here, a mid range bicycle with entry level French components. I, however, have a nostalgic love of bike boom components and the ones on this bike all function very well, from the Mafac Racers to the "classic" Delrin Simplex ensemble. This bike is set up the same as almost every other lower shelf bike-boom French bike I can think of. The only things I changed were the bar tape, which was disintegrating into powder, the saddle, which was originally an Ideale 80 in black that I love but for some reason is not so comfortable as my brown one, and the wheelset. I did keep the wheels French, they are Pelissier 2000 hubs laced to Mavic MA40 rims. Tires are Vittoria Open Corsa CX III's, a lovely riding tire as long as you don't mind pumping them up prior to every ride.

As to the ride, it feels very "vintage" - not sure how else to put it. Smooth and predictable, more of a day-tripper than a racer. Tubing promises in French to be not only Special, but also Light and Pro! Not sure it is any of those because the bike curbs out at 25.5 lb but not too shabby considering it's sporting a cottered crank, fenders and chainguard. Without further ado:

CV-6 

The bell is the bomb!

devinfan

Thank you! I think so too. It is a St. Christopher bell, who is apparently the patron saint of travellers. It was a birthday gift from my lovely sister.

uncle uncle

First, that's some sweet boom bike goodness there. The color scheme is so era awesome. Got some questions for you though... What's your definition of a "day tripper"? Does a Mercier possess a unique "french boom magic" of it's own, or is the magic pretty similar to other french entry level boomers, like a Pug Uo-8?

old's'cool

On the subject of boom bikes acquired from Randy, and nostalgia for their components, here are some before photos of my 1976 Empire Professional. It is currently completely stripped and awaiting repaint, but on the back burner since 2012, so don't hold your breath for the after photos, which will be posted in a new thread in due course.
My reason for getting this bike from Randy is, my first above entry level 10-speed was a nearly identical brand new 1976 Empire Professional; the only difference being the frame was one size smaller, since I was only 14 at the time. In a couple of years, I outgrew the frame, and let the bike slip away in favour of a brand new 1978 Motobecane Grand Jubile, which I still own and ride regularly today (it now sports a few modest, period correct (or nearly so) wheel and drivetrain upgrades).
Well, in recent years, with my renewed interest in bikes in general and "10-speeds" in particular, I grew nostalgic for my first relatively high performance bike, and to my not too great surprise but great joy, Randy came up with this example when I contacted him with my search criteria.







I hope this is not considered too much of a thread hijack; my apologies if it is.

Anyway, the Mercier is a beaut!

poprad

Really, really nice. Good photography too!

devinfan

Thanks uncle uncle, a day-tripper to me is a bike that feels comfortable and steers itself, with relaxed geometry as opposed to the twitchier, more responsive ride you'd want from a racer. I'd say that both Merciers I own possess a nice typical French ride - nothing unique. If I had to pick a marque that stood out in ride quality among the bike boom French it would be Gitane, they definitely have something special going on.

uncle uncle

Thanks for the reply Devinfan... your bike and Old'sCool's Empire... if I owned them I would ride both with pride. But I have a soft spot for the entry level/recreational ride bicycles of the 70's and 80's, since that's all I really had back in the day.

Chris W.

Very cool bike!!! I like it a lot!

Cheers!

Sedgemop 

I always like to hear more about ride quality. What would you say is special about Gitane, compared to other French marques? Great bike, by the way.

devinfan

Thanks Chris W! Sedgemop I don't know what it is about Gitanes, I just know that every one I've ridden felt special. I'm sure it's the result of a combination of tubing, geometry and brazing but I think Gitane got it right. Gitanes, at least the Supercorsa and Criteriums I've ridden felt so alive on the road. Some steel bikes look great and are lightweight but just feel dead on the road. I think what I love about French bikes in general is the fact that the emphasis is on the ride as opposed to fancy lug work etc. Just my two cents, though!

devinfan

Old's'cool I like that Empire a lot! I confess I also like the original paint but I'm sure the end result will be great, looking forward to it.

bikemig 

Great looking bike. I've been seriously tempted to pick up a french bike of that vintage. Fortunately the pickings are pretty slim on the local CL,