rmfrance

Since the only BB marking on my Mercier frame is a 3 (see pics above), does this imply a 300 frame?
I'm also intrigued by the logo on the rear stays - I've seen Mercier in full, vertically, but mine has an M beneath a crown. Any ideas as to what these differences signify?

T-Mar

I seriously doubt that the "3" has any correlation to the model number. The bicycle appears to have a Stronglight TS crankset. If so, and it is OEM, this would place it circa 1976-1983. The TS was typically spec'd on upper entry level to lower mid-range models. The lack of dropout eyelets suggests a sports/racing model, while the derailleur cables being routed under the BB shell, suggests it is likely from the latter end of the time range. Consequently, it is from the period when it should still be metric gauge tubing and French threading.

Unfortunately, Mercier's presence in the American market diminished greatly after the bicycle boom. Consequently, I can't help with the model but I'm fairly certainly they had dropped the number designations by this time. Given your location, perhaps you should try some of the French forums

rmfrance

Thanks for the comments. I've certainly posed the questions on French retro vélo forums, and found a promising near-mis on: veloretrocourse.proboards.com/thread/714/mercier-vert-de-1974
Quality components there, but rear stay eyelets, too. Hmmm...

As for the Stronglight TS, it's just something I had around and mounted to get an idea of how the bike might look when built-up. It's certainly not OEM, although was a very popular feature in the period you mention.

The cable routing under the BB is certainly a potential dating clue.

Thanks again!

rmfrance

Following on from the thread, I've found more clues, including some handwritten black marker text on the steerer tube. I've added an image below.

Was this a frame builder's note or maybe signifying a team road/training bike allocation?
Some dimensions: Seat Tube OD 28mm
Seat pin 26.4mm = 0,8 tube thickness
Top tube 26mm

Lugs: Bocama Super Leger Luxe 2
Chain stays have no seams.
These don't suggest Super Vitus to me (despite the drop-outs), so I'm thinking Reynolds 531 or perhaps Columbus.
Any thoughts, please? When I'm allowed to post pics URLs I'll be able to give a lot more to go on.

Colour is very distinctive - Celeste-type pale green/blue with dark green fade-sprayed over head, BB and seat tube top. I've seen a near indentical frame paint job on a Lejeune-badged bike advertised on ebay, complete with the same Hata Hattaswan headset. Curious...