Mercier Bike Data
 

I picked up a Mercier Bike frame and fork yesterday for $40 (not a high end model but I love the vintage look and feel). It has the original Mafac brakes and levers but I am looking for resources to help me identify the bike and perhaps source the original components. I have searched the BF catalog list and no Mercier catalogs are listed. Of course I did the Internet search but that too produced little information. Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places?

My knowledge of French bikes begins with P and ends with t, but there are others here who can probably assist you.

I haven't been able to find much online either, in terms of catalogs. Your best source of information is right here, especially if it is an American market example. Those were different from the ones sold in Europe.

Pictures would be most helpful.

Several Merciers, all lower end, have come my way over the years. They are OK riders but none have ever stood out as exceptional. The livery, however, always screams vintage as far as I am concerned and I do like that. The nicest "as found" one...
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ff67c189fb.jpg

Another really clean find that made its way from Europe to Canada, then back to Europe again for the wife of another forum member...
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...54be88d004.jpg

This one was the most unusual with its cantilevered brakes. Wish I had kept it...
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2deb547eba.jpg

Here is one from the '80s that I picked up for $65. It had Campy components. It was too small for me so I never rode it. I gave it an overhaul and passed it on.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fae688c925.jpg

The red model is the same frame as the one I acquired (I will post some photos later). I will attempt to build it up with the same type of period components - not certain how readily I will find the crankset and bottom bracket but will begin the search. I have a beautiful Simplex derailleur ready to install. Although I know that these bikes were of a lesser quality, there is just something about the styling that makes them stand out.

Based on what are you saying that Merciers are “of lower quality?”

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5f145911d6.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ba22a829a6.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ccde89ee78.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...98d6dd2dd7.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...152197048f.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9199213468.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...33840563d1.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9dab9b05ef.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6e84b0380d.jpg
The Mercier frame that I have is a lower quality, entry-level, bike, similar to most popularly priced French bikes in the 70's and 80's. Oddly, in my opinion, it doesn't make them less desirable. It was in this time period that most Americans were discovering the "10-speed racing bike". The European bike producers were suddenly finding a welcoming and enthusiastic market for this new generation of cycling in the U.S. As a professional bike mechanic throughout that time it was exciting to see lighter weight, and often "exotic", bikes arriving for sale from European producers. These brands marked a watershed in American biking. In retrospect the quality of most popularly priced European bikes was quite poor compared to the next generation of road bikes to come. But to this day, when I see when of these "first wave" bikes it immediately triggers that excitement of discovering a new world of cycling.

Of course, the high-end of the European market was, and is, exquisite. These comments about the entry level Mercier are focused on the broad market aimed at the recreational cyclist. I have seen a lot of photos of Mercier bikes that are high-end and beautiful - would love to find one someday.

By the way, I am looking for a period crankset and BB for this. If you have something you would like to sell, let me know.

That appears to be a very early 1970s Mercier 100 (aka Rally Sport). Having the catalogue wouldn't help much, as specs during that era were typically not very detailed and very rarely mentioned component models, let alone brands. This model was your typical, upper entry level, UFB (Universal French Bicycle). That is to say it used a hi-tensile frameset, Simplex Prerstige derailleur set, MAFAC Racer brakeset, Nervar or Stronglight cottered crankset and steel rims laced to Normandy quick release hubs. Think of it as direct competition to the Peugeot UO8.

Catalogue page, circa 1971:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...986256ce71.png

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the frame of your example is what was employed to produce the model 100 and model 200 bicycles exported for the north american market during the bicycle boom era of the early 1970's

there was also a lower model called the model 80 which was parallel to the peugeot A08 and a higher model called the 300 which was parallel to the peugeot PX-10 and gitane tour de france

this blog comment gives a detailed description of the specifications for the various models of the early 1970's done for the north american market -

​​​​​​https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?bl...3233223&bpli=1

the u.s. agent for mercier bicycles at this time was the beacon cycle & supply co.

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That looks like a nice frameset that will clean up well. Thanks for explaining.

By the way, those look like forged Simplex dropouts in the back ? Ref 881 . I believe verktyg said these are forged and machined.

See 200 description where it states rear drops are forged…high quality 😉

Awesome help you guys. All of that makes perfect sense and is consistent with the era and times. I look forward to restoring this as a model 200.

Very nice bike. I have a Mercier 300 in the same color. I think the difference between the 100 and 200 were the components but they shared the same frame. Not have a hanger on the drop out will make it a lot easier to find a derailleur to work on this.

They're not cheap but velo orange has sealed french threaded square taper bottom brackets. I think I have a stronglight 93 crank and I may have a BB as well.

Edit: this is my bike. I still haven't gotten around to building it up. https://m.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=1227712

Let me know if you are interested in selling the crank and BB. Would be a nice upgrade to this model!

Now that Slowride79 mentions it, those are the hangerless, forged, Simplex dropouts. That would indeed make it a Mercier 200, which was not much diiferent from the 100. The big changes were the tubulars rims and tyres and narrower ratio gearing, aimed at the club racer. For practical purposes, the OP may prefer the model 100 configuration.

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the model 100 examples we received here in california through beacon cycle and supply co. during the boom came with the simplex ends


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The lime green frame photographed above has Simplex ends - Don't think the photo is clear enough to see that.

Bikemig - I see you are in IA and ride the driftless! A few months ago I rode both the Dairyland Dare and the Horribly Hilly Hundreds (all 126 miles and 12,000' of climbing) on my Trek Domane. I vowed after I rode the HHH that I would never get on my bike again. Now I am thinking of doing on one of my vintage steeds. Thinking of using my Fuji Touring V or Trek 620. Would love to join you on any vintage rolls you are interested in riding!

I have an interesting connection with the lime green 200 model. Back in 1980 my main bike (a Raleigh International) was destroyed in a vehicle accident. At the time I had been riding in the Berkeley Bike Club twilight criterium races. When I got back to racing, my brother loaned me his green Mercier 200 that he had bought in high school and I actually raced it...even won a couple of primes (race within a race). I must say that the other racers would look at me and that somewhat battered looking entry-level bike with cottered cranks on the starting line and give me a wide berth, not wanting to ride too close to an obvious novice in the peloton.

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here are two catalogue pages shared by member thumpism illustrating the domestic french market models of 1974 -

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bca1da6c49.jpg
​​​​​​https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2a9cee1ca9.jpg

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I was wondering if those of you with Mercier literature would add them to the catalog thread - currently it is empty and this information is much needed.

Had I known a few hours ago, I would have looked when I went to my summer cottage (that is where I keep my stash). I am pretty sure that I have a period and, perhaps, even model correct crank set in good shape. Might even have a bottom bracket to match. Not sure when I will go again but will look next time I am there. I know for sure that I have this one but not sure about the bottom bracket...
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...49db07b5fd.jpg

That could be good. There used to be a group of C&Vers who rode the Dairyland Dare but it has fallen off the radar screen for various reasons. I couldn't do 126 miles with 12,000 ft of climbing now! But the 100k DD isn't bad as it only has around 3800 ft of climbing. I could talk myself into riding an old bike to do that ride. Part of the fun is figuring out how to make the gearing work on an old bike on a hilly ride, :)

This is a great thread that [MENTION=57649]iab[/MENTION] started on the DD.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...in-august.html

Like I said that ride has fallen out of favor but we could start something up for next summer.