Hi Folks,

Just picked up a pretty clean 58 cm 70's Mercier frame for under a $100. It's blue, painted decals, decent lug work, chrome fork tips and chrome simplex drop outs and seems pretty ideal for a fixie project. Unfortunately it doesn't have Reynolds tubing, but "tubes special allegres" (any info on the quality of that? I understand that Peugot was using that too for mid/low-range in the 70's?). The headset looks like it's in good condition, but it needs a new bottom bracket and cups, which might be a pain. Any advice on a good place for french parts?

Anyway, I've been poking around Sheldon Brown's website and a few others and there's not much information on pre-Asian Merciers, other than the fact they were Peugot clones essentially. Anyone have an idea on what year it might be, what level (i.e. 100, 200), or if there's somewhere I can find a Mercier catalogue from that era? I'll likely put more money in this damned thing than it's worth, but I kind of don't care because I like the look of it.

The pick I've posted isn't the greatest, but all I've got at this point.

Hope someone can help!