Someone pointed me to this bike today.



I know all the arguments against mail order bikes, and I agree with them, but this is cheap, it has everything I could want in a fixie, plus more. OK, it doesn't have fender clearance, but that's OK, I guess.

I bought a mailorder fixie from Nashbar a couple of years ago for $300. I'm very satisfied. I'm a skilled mechanic, so I corrected all the problems. Everything was loose. Spoke tension was inadequate. Tires and rims are heavy, so I replaced the tires. Pedals are crap, so I replaced them. In the end, the deal was good for me.

So now, I think I'll sell it and buy this so-called Mercier. It even looks nice.

Wow, that does look nice, and it doesn't cost much more than the hub and a pair of rims. Wow.

Wonder what kind of brake levers it comes with? Some of those mini levers that go on the tops?

That is a screamin deal... and I kinda like how the brakes are set up. Lots of other good points too, nice normal bend bars, the sturmey 3 speed Barcon.


Do they make a version with a standard, non-fixed 3 speed?

I dunno. Go check.

But yeah, it points out that prices and tariffs etc on bike parts are insane, and we don't pay nearly as much when buying a complete bike.

I've been tempted to buy a couple of $200 bikes at Target just to use as donor bikes.

I knew a guy who made a buisness out of buying Dept. Store bikes on sale and parting them out on eBay. He did pretty well for himself.

That's hilarious. Or sick. Or I don't know what.

If I had the dough at the time, I would've bought a ton of those $500 105 equipped bikes from Walmart.

I don't think so, but you could easily sell the 3-speed fixed hub on ebay, buy a standard 3-speed hub & shifter (I don't think this one is compatible with the non-fixed 3-speed,) and still have some profit left over.

I'm curious about the S3X hub, would be interesting to see what happens when you're spinning in top gear and then downshift to 1st

Hahaha! Surely brutal limb detachment of some sort.

As one who has experience with multispeed fixed gear hubs, getting launched into low earth orbit is a probability. At least, that's what it feels like when you are clipped in and you do the stupid downshift move at speed.

The last I checked BD is offering a version of the Mercier with a SA 5 speed hub, the new wide ratio version. Not nearly as good a price however.

The Mercier is designed with Track geometry so may not be an ideal street bike. Steep angles, short wheelbase and minimal tire clearances as can be seen in the photo.

What were the gear ratios? Pretty close, aren't they?

Oh man, that is a painful thought. Have you ever been riding a fixie and suddenly forgotten for a moment? When that happens, the pedal hits my leg on the upstroke and nearly launches me out of my seat. I imagine the force of downshifting while spinning could be huge.

Face it, fixies are dangerous. I'm putting a chainguard on mine. If my trousers ever get caught between chainwheel and chain, I'm going down!

What were the gear ratios?

Approx 52.5, 63, 84 inches - as far as I can tell

Not quite as low as my 42x 28 road bike on the low end, about equivalent to middle of the cluster while in big ring on my road bike on the high.

I don't like riding fixed gears, but any new steel bike with no brifters and a level top tube is okay by me. I'd switch to an SRF3 and put the fixed hub on eBay.

YES! Thats my biggest problem with owning a flip-flop hub I constantly forget when I'm riding fixed Its so flat around here with so few traffic controls that you can go for 15-20 minutes non-stop and when its time to either chill a little or stop at a sign its like WHOA NOW!

I tend to get it with the pedal coming up from behind my leg and mashing into my calf. Good times.

when i flip my hub around to fixed It makes my bike instantly 10x more hip. I'm so indy. I have the cheap sunglasses to prove it.

couldn't agree more. And they even have a little bend to the fork instead of the average straight blade.

This looks awesome.

I wish I could find something like this with fender clearance, and a rack attachment with a single speed setup.

A miyata 210 might fit that bill...or a modern Raleigh One-Way

Something along these lines?

I meant with the 3-5 internal hub.

I can't ride fixed. It destroys my knee, but I'm planning on commuting to work when I move to boston in July after graduation. This would be awesome.

In addition, I think they'd be perfect for cross since there's less chance of destroying RD's and there is little chance of dropping a chain etc.

Oh, you said single speed. IGH with freewheel is what you're looking for.

BTW, that bike comes stock with the freewheel side set up. You have to buy a cog and install on the other side if you were to want fixed.

Yeah, I realized that after people got confused. Sorry about that.

A cross-esque bike (i.e. can take wider tires) freewheel with internal gearing, with fender and rack mounts. That's what I want to commute and grocery shop on. I could put on wider tires for the winter grocery runs.

@ your btw, I see what you mean about the one you posted, but I'd like one with a 3 to 5 speed internal hub and freewheel. That's what I'm talking about. Sorry about the confusion haha.

Naw, it just takes the cuff off your pants. Cottered fixies are horrid this way, I wound up with a lot of shorts that summer.