1972 Bicycle Scene
 

Member [MENTION=360180]SpeedofLight[/MENTION] has been posting old articles from Bicycling magazine. I like these as the let members read about what was happening in the bicycle industry in a given year of the article.

Recently I acquired a copy of the "Consumer Guide bicycles" published in 1972 by Popular Library. It is in paperback book format. I think this was also published as "Buyer's Guide 1972-73 bicycle test reports", from Doubleday & Co.


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With the Bike Boom in progress this publisher saw an opportunity to sell books. There is only one piece of advertising and it is for cigarettes.

This publication provides an insight into what types and quality of bicycles were available for 1972 and leading into the 1973 model year. The book covers domestic USA products from the manufacturers and the mass market retailers. Also some of the larger importers are listed and the brand names that they import.

The book reads like the material has been reasonably well researched.

The publisher says this is first in a series of annual publications. I have seen on the internet the Consumer Guide bicycle test reports for 1973, but this is the only other year that I have seen.

I think it is a good reference book for some aspects of the USA bicycle market in 1972.

If you could be so kind, could you tell me which U.S. importer had access to the Mercian line?

I think it was Mel Pinto ? anybody else know for sure ?

/markp

Mercian were imported by Shaker Velo-Sport, Shaker Heights, Ohio. Shaker were also importing Falcon from the UK.

As a note of caution the listed importers may not have been the exclusive importer into the USA for a given brand name.

Mercian Campionissimo $219.95.

Mercian Professional $439. Weight 22 lbs.

Any mention of American Eagle / Nishiki? Imported by West Coast Cycle Supply. I put 20 years and 40K miles on my 1971 American Eagle Semi-Pro, until the frame broke at the seat tube lug of the bottom bracket. (I wanted an excuse for an upgrade, anyway. :) )

Hello [MENTION=531]John E[/MENTION] ,
This book was published at the time of the brand name transition from American Eagle to Nishiki. American Eagle is not listed.

Azuki and Nishiki brand names are listed as imports.

Azuki is imported by West Coast Cycle Supply Inc., Los Angeles.

Nishiki is imported by Franklin Imports, New York, N.Y.

Some of the Nishiki listings are in the non-adult bicycle categories.

Ages 6 to 9
Nishiki Deluxe Conv., Hi-riser, 16 inch wheels. $54
Nishiki Coaster, Hi-Riser, 20 inch wheels. $57
Nishiki 3-speed stick, 20 inch wheel. Some details unknown.

Adult
Olympiad, $103
Kokusai, $137.50
Semi-Pro, $180.50
Safari, $200

Nishiki was also brought in by West Coast Cycle. They had American Eagle which changed to Nishiki because of possibly being misleading as it was not made in USA.
Don’t know if West Coast distributed Azuki. Never saw one come through the shop and that was when shops were grabbing anything they could get that had two wheels.

Hello stoneageyosh ,

Nishiki in 1972 was distributed by
West Coast Cycle Supply Company of Carson, California,
Louisville Cycle & Supply of Louisville, Kentucky,
Pettee Cycle Supply Co. of Englewood, Colorado,
and McRae & Connors of Spokane, Washington.

None of these companies are on the east coast.

Franklin Imports listed in the Consumer Guide was in New York. Franklin Imports may have been were the editors of The Consumer Guide received their information about Nishiki and any test bicycles.

West Coast Cycle Supply (WCCSC) distributed bicycles and components to many independent bicycle dealers (IBDs). WCCSC distributed several brand names of bicycles and created some of its own brand names including Azuki and Nishiki. It is unlikely that an IBD would have both Azuki and Nishiki brand bicycle. One IBD in an area would get the Nishiki brand and another IBD in the same area would get the Azuki brand.

Have no knowledge of how West Coast chose areas of distribution for their various lines. Seems odd that I never noticed any Azuki dealers. But, wasn’t really trying so who knows?
Shipping cost was probably why Japanese products had distributors in the western states.