Brompton / Merc on eBay: advice please
10-19-08, 12:03 PM
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Brompton / Merc on eBay: advice please
Hello all !
There's a Merc for sale on eBay. It has upgraded parts and comes with a few spares:
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=220296158846
The paint is flaking away in places but apart from that it looks like a decent ride.
What do you think, price-wise ? Up to how much would you be ready to spend for it ? (knowing that most Bromptons don't sell below 300 GBP on eBay)
Cheers, Dan
There's a Merc for sale on eBay. It has upgraded parts and comes with a few spares:
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=220296158846
The paint is flaking away in places but apart from that it looks like a decent ride.
What do you think, price-wise ? Up to how much would you be ready to spend for it ? (knowing that most Bromptons don't sell below 300 GBP on eBay)
Cheers, Dan
Last edited by danoulz; 10-19-08 at 12:08 PM.
10-19-08, 12:51 PM
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Can you really get a brommi for £300? If yes, I would wait for that. But then on the other hand, I recall Anita sold those mercs for ~ £440.. Since she not sells them any more, this might be a rare chance to get your hands on such bike. They are durable and I believe this bike is "as good" as a new merc, (with exception of the broken roller wheel stay) especially if you don't want to upgrade yourself but benefit from all the adds the seller made, so probably also for £300 an okay deal - as long as you are sure this bike will fit you?
I think, the seller errors in a few of his claims:
I think, the seller errors in a few of his claims:
10-19-08, 02:11 PM
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Can you really get a brommi for £300? If yes, I would wait for that. But then on the other hand, I recall Anita sold those mercs for ~ £440.. Since she not sells them any more, this might be a rare chance to get your hands on such bike. They are durable and I believe this bike is "as good" as a new merc, (with exception of the broken roller wheel stay) especially if you don't want to upgrade yourself but benefit from all the adds the seller made, so probably also for £300 an okay deal - as long as you are sure this bike will fit you?
I think, the seller errors in a few of his claims:
I think, the seller errors in a few of his claims:
- "...The MERC chain tensioner is alloy not plastic like the Brompton..."
- "...and I believe a £70 Brompton kit will fit straight on to convert it to 2 speed derailleur..!"
- "...The Brompton self locking catch does not always self lock as the seat post clamp[color="Blue"] is about the only area of dimension difference between the two bikes..."
- "...It it powder coated finish not liquored like the Brompton is..."
, If I were to buy a Brompton I would take you with me !!! 
Last edited by Tommy C; 10-19-08 at 09:01 PM.
10-19-08, 02:45 PM
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- and be more than happy for the chance to have a close look at some nice US folders 
10-20-08, 03:53 AM
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I have to say that I think this is a very honest assessment by the seller, the q I would ask any buyer is how heavy are you - I think I am too heavy for my merc.... (so am following this sale with interest, mine might be up next).
10-20-08, 09:40 AM
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Y'all know that I am an avid fan of the Merc. This seller has made some useful mods - the brakes especially, although I have learned to live with mine (perhaps I should say that I have lived in spite of them).
A mate of mine bought one and managed to destroy the thread that holds the front luggage mounting block to the frame. Maybe they used the same dimension bolt in the soft alloy Merc frame as Brompton used in the original steel one. My block is fine, but I haven't used the luggage much and don't overload it anyway. My mate certainly did overload his and the bolt pulled out, stripped the threads and broke his block. Anita had it repaired at her expense which I wouldn't have done at all.
The bike is at £200 right now, but it could well rise since there are six days to go. Given that Anita was selling them for £330, I would n't go above pretty well where it is now or maybe another £30. I think she still has a few which she wanted to keep for some reason. Maybe you could work on her and still get a new one.
As to weight limits. The original bike never had a published weight limit on it as far as I know. It is true that the new Grace Gallant bikes (they are the manufacturers) publish a 180 pound rider weight limit, but those have a different frame design. I weigh about 170 pounds and have ridden mine 3300 miles in all kinds of rough and ready roads. The only failures were some spokes in the early days, but I think the back wheel was badly tensioned from new. They have ceased to be a problem a long time ago. I carefully inspect my frame and wheels about every 300 miles and can find no signs of flaws in either.
A mate of mine bought one and managed to destroy the thread that holds the front luggage mounting block to the frame. Maybe they used the same dimension bolt in the soft alloy Merc frame as Brompton used in the original steel one. My block is fine, but I haven't used the luggage much and don't overload it anyway. My mate certainly did overload his and the bolt pulled out, stripped the threads and broke his block. Anita had it repaired at her expense which I wouldn't have done at all.
The bike is at £200 right now, but it could well rise since there are six days to go. Given that Anita was selling them for £330, I would n't go above pretty well where it is now or maybe another £30. I think she still has a few which she wanted to keep for some reason. Maybe you could work on her and still get a new one.
As to weight limits. The original bike never had a published weight limit on it as far as I know. It is true that the new Grace Gallant bikes (they are the manufacturers) publish a 180 pound rider weight limit, but those have a different frame design. I weigh about 170 pounds and have ridden mine 3300 miles in all kinds of rough and ready roads. The only failures were some spokes in the early days, but I think the back wheel was badly tensioned from new. They have ceased to be a problem a long time ago. I carefully inspect my frame and wheels about every 300 miles and can find no signs of flaws in either.
Last edited by EvilV; 10-20-08 at 09:47 AM.
10-20-08, 09:49 AM
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10-20-08, 10:04 AM
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this is her ebay seller detail:
https://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/123maddy
You can email her through that link I think. She has stopped selling them, but last I heard she still had a few.
10-20-08, 12:04 PM
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10-20-08, 05:42 PM
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If it helps at all you might want to search for the Nishiki Oxford or Flamingobike as they are also aluminium Brompton clones, albeit with slightly different frame tubing.
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10-21-08, 04:21 AM
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https://blocs.mesvilaweb.cat/node/view/id/56800
https://www.segundamano.es/vi/12267601.htm?ca=28_s
https://www.flamingobike.com/products...id=3&cid=3#pro
https://www.flamingobike.com/products...d=55&cid=3#pro
https://www.flamingobike.com/products...d=60&cid=3#pro
10-21-08, 05:09 AM
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I'd bet anything that the Nishi Oxford is the same bike as the Merc. Apart from looking exactly the same as mine except for the seat, it has the exact same badge on the dynamo. Unfortunately, 720 Euros is hugely more expensive than the Merc's old price of £330.
10-24-08, 09:50 AM
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this has been removed - did it sell privately does anyone know by any chance?
10-24-08, 10:43 AM
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https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=220299546514
A bit steep in my opinion, as a similarly-equipped Brompton can be bought for not much more in the classifieds or eBay, with better components and maybe a lifetime frame warranty. In addition, a new Merc was £330 IIRC, so not much more than this second-hand one.
But then again, there are not many used Mercs on the market at the moment, which could explain why they still get some interest.
I am still looking for one myself, for parts and to start a new project. Anyone on here wants to sell his/hers ?
