EraserXIV

hey found this decent deal ($90) on a mercier road bike. can anyone identify the model or can anyone tell me more about it? also, is $90 too much? should i be looking elsewhere?

all i know so far is that it is 12 spd




there's also this royce union ($150), anyone have any info on this? i think the $150 may be a bit steep.. correct me if i'm wrong

big chainring 

Grab that Mercier. Thats a nice one and a steal at $90. Cotterless crank looks like a Stronglight. Mafac brakes, could be Competitions. Early 70's, its sweet!!!!!

EraserXIV

anyone on the royce union?

my friend claims its a sutton...

retrofit

If that Mercier is sky blue (hard to tell from the pics), that is the same bike I had summer of '71. Black seat stay caps, right? Sorry I don't remember the model, but I do remember loving to ride that bike. If/when you get it post more pics!

stan

EraserXIV

was it an entry level road bike? or mid-level?

retrofit

I honestly don't remember--I didn't know much about bikes then (as if I do now ). I do remember a Simplex RD, mafac brakes, chrome forks, seat stays and chainstays (as in you pics), and possibly Simplex dropouts. And if the fog of time hasn't completely clouded memory, I remember it as being lightweight. Sorry I couldn't be more exact.

stan

satbuilder 

Looks like a model 300, if that's a 531 sticker there, I'm pretty sure it is. It was at about the same level as the Peugeot PX-10 and Gitane Tour de France.

I have one purchased new in 1971.

Components differed on top level models, this is what mine had from the factory: Simplex Criterium Front & RR derailleur, Pivo stem, Stronglight Crank, Normandy Competition hubs, AVA Sprint Competition tubular rims (some had Mavic Montlhery), Clement tires, Atom freewheel, Simplex seatpost, Ideale model 80 saddle, chain?. Chrome front forks and stays. Mafac Racer brakes.

Weight about 21 1/2 lb as I recall.

And the fork crown lugwork looks like it could double as a catfood canopener.

Nice bike otherwise.

oldbobcat

That looks like a Stronglight 93 crank. If it is, and if it has a Reynolds 531 Double-butted decal on the seat tube like I think it should, then it is Mercier's equivalent to a Peugeot PX-10 or Gitane Tour de France. It won't be as valuable, but if everything works it should be an excellent rider and conversation-starter.

And if the frame is actually French gaspipe, the crankset alone might still be worth $90 on ebay.

About the Royce Union, I wouldn't pay $40 for it.

oldbobcat

Jeez, great minds think alike. I was composing my reply as you were posting yours.

satbuilder 

Yeah...we think alike...

My only comment as to the value might be the collectors on the other side of the big pond may think the Mercier is worth more than either the Gitane or Peugeot, just due to the fewer numbers around. My opinion. I've seen a lot more Gitanes and Peugeots around than Merciers in my lifetime.

Workmanship at that time is a tossup. Gettem out de door to L'etats Unis. Not like high end Italian stuff I've seen from the same era....

EraserXIV

oh dang the royce union is worth that little? i was considering batering it down to $120 and buying it in case the mercier deal fell through.

any thoughts on a fuji sports for $140?
https://img301.imageshack.us/img301/4504/bike003.jpg

big chainring 

The Fuji is much smaller than the other bikes. Are you considering size in your search for a bike? Getting one that fits is just as important.