Stoneyc

Hi Vintage Lovers

Here are two (2) bikes that appear to be stock. I say that because a very old bike shop that has been around since the 1950s is going out of business, and I assume they collected these for their museum display.

1. What are they worth (they look in damn good shape)?

2. Who would like to buy one if I'm successful getting them? (probably by late April).

Let's hope the pics upload properly!!

juvela

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Despite their condition and respective appellations both are base models of limited interest and value to the enthusiast.

Since you are asking regarding value the post might be a better fit at the inquiries and appraisals forum:

Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Bike Forums

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T-Mar

Ageeed, both are entry level models based on 27" rims with Schraeder valves, steel cottered crankset, rear derailleurs with claw adaptors for stamped dropouts. Probably no later than very early 1970s based on wingnuts. I know the French QC was really weak during the boom but that Mercier down tube decal has the worst placement I've ever seen.

John E

T-Mar is spot-on, as always. These are essentially Peugeot AO-8 equivalents.

bikemig 

Yeah but that Mercier rocks in pink. That would be a totally cool bike to own.

Wildwood

Vintage and pristine - has a following, just not the high end buyer.

I'm terrible on predicting sales hopes.

T-Mar

Pink was the factory colour used on the pro team bicycles during the 1960s & 1970s. I did some more looking through old race photos and it looks like the multiple banding of the seat tube came into effect in 1970, when Spanish cookware manufacturer Fagor took over prime sponsorship from Mercier. GAN took over the team in 1972 and the multiple bands are evident through 1975 but disappear in 1976. So, it should be 1970-1975 (unless it's a repaint) but I'm still leaning towards the earlier years based on the wingnuts, assuming they're OEM. Most manufacturers eliminated wingnuts in the mid-1970s, in anticipation of proposed CPSC legislation.

bikemig 

Right, that's why I liked the pink Mercier. I wasn't sure of the years so this is very helpful. It is such a cool color because of its racing heritage.

T-Mar

I can't recall seeing a pro team Mercier that wasn't some shade of pink. The later Miko-Mercier team bicycles were still pink, as were the circa 1983 Coop-Mercier team bicycles, which I believe was last hurrah for Mercier in the pro peloton.

I had a friend with a circa 1975 Mercier professional model with the Campagnolo (Nuovo) Record group. it was quite nice but the metric Reynolds 531 was a bit whippy under his 6' 2", 200 lb body. So, within a year he replaced it with an early Marinoni. He never was entirely happy until he got a Cannondale in the mid-1980s.

MiloFrance

Chrome socks on the Coppi along with the head tube lugs would raise it a bit in the grand scheme of thing I reckon. But then as pointed out, the butterflies, dork disk and cottered cranks keep it away from the top end.

satbuilder 

I thought all the models of Merciers (100, 200, and 300) all had chrome front and rear socks. Would this be another model?

Wulf

I had a Mercier just like that; even the same color. I bought it in 1968 for $79.00.

non-fixie 

I believe the 100/200/300 models were exclusive to the North American market. European models were different, and also much harder to identify IME. I have a frame with a similar paint job that has not yet been identified, other that that it is 'early seventies'. Which jibes with the information presented above.

The discussion from '12 is documented in this thread. And no, I still haven't built it yet.

satbuilder 

Your frame has a lot of similarities to my 300. Although mine has Simplex dropouts. Yours looks to be a higher grade than the 300 though with the Campagnolo dropouts.

non-fixie 

I'd love to know the story behind this frame. So far my best guess is that the Campagnolo dropouts were an option, available to pros and high-level amateurs or club racers. One reason I've hesitated on this build is that I don't know what it is.

T-Mar

I've never seen non-fixie's particular model catalogued or advertised in America but I have seen other samples. They came equipped with Campagnolo (Nuovo) Record, like the team bicycles of the era, which accounts for the Camapagnolo dropouts. I still maintain that it's a team replica model, possibly non-catalogued and special order, at least in North America. It may have been a standard offering in Europe but I can't comment on that. What I can say is that the livery is consistent with 1970-1975 team bicycles, with the exception of the chrome.

Variance between markets is quite common. It would sense that the chrome on boom era models was a concession to American tastes. The team bicycle didn't use it, so that would explain the pictures submitted by the OP but makes non-fixie's even more puzzling, given his location.

Since my post of 2012, I've had the opportunity to see what was reported to be an actual Fagor-Mercier team bicycle. There are some differences besides the chrome but I was surprised to find that the level of workmanship on both frames is consistent. I really was expecting a higher level of execution on the team frame but it wasn't so. It looked more like a mass production frame to me.

non-fixie 

Thanks for sharing that observation, @T-Mar. Interesting ...

Stoneyc

I've done a tiny bit more research in the sense of originality. T-Mar may be correct that it's a replica team model. BUT, it is NOS, as are both bikes, and it is in Vancouver, BC. The bike shop has been around as a family-run business since I was a kid in the 1950's, so it wouldn't surprise me that either it is a replica (or hopefully) an original. I'll call the shop one of these days and ask about it. They're cleaning out their antique bikes too (some pretty ugly adult trikes, IMO).

If anyone is into collecting really old (used) trikes, let me know. I'll send along some pictures from the posted pics.

cb400bill

Thread moved from C&V to C&V Appraisals.

T-Mar

When I said team replica, I was referring to non-fixie's Mercier frameset, not the one in your original post. The latter is definitely not what is generally considered a team replica, based on the components. Typically, a team replica uses the same livery, tubeset and components of the team issue bicycles.

Sometimes, a company would issue a special edition in team colours, usually to capitalize on a major success, such as a Tour de France win. Often these bicycles would be an entry level model, to appeal to the broadest spectrum of consumers. The subject bicycle would seem to fit this category based on the livery and "Special Tour de France" decal. No Mercier rider ever won the Tour de France but GAN-Mercier did win the team classification in 1972 and 1975. Given the wing nuts on the bicycle it is probably a special edition celebrating the earlier team victory and should be a late 1972 or 1973 model. A special edition would also explain the lack of chrome, despite the Canadian market, as it is replicating the team livery.

Edit: The probability that it a commemorative special edition would add a small premium to the value but not much. Maybe an additional $50 CDN.

KonAaron Snake 

Since you seem to be trying to say you want to sell them, and are primarily interested in what you'd get, I'd guess, in my market, they're $150 bikes. The pretty factor helps them sell faster, but doesn't really add value. At the end of the day, they're still low end bikes that are not going to appeal to people spending money.

coolkat

I used to lock up next to an identical Mercier that was gold and it had a 531 sticker. So it might be a little better than bottom.

Stoneyc

Didn't buy either one. Something put me off with plastic seats, etc. They were in Able Auctions on March 26th.

Coppi sold for $380.
Mercier sold for $350.
Both were bid way too high. This is the trouble with people at auctions who don't do their research homework.

Bought a Raleigh Competiton GS 1980, hand-built, and
Bought a Raleigh Super Grand Prix with bar end shifters. It was NOS
(will post pics of both in separate post)

zepedrohenrique

Stoneyc

Hopefully the pics will upload today.
Both 79s. Mint condition, unridden. All original components.

Pics of SGP aren't too good. Others I took won't upload.

Thx