Merc bikes ? Are they still available ?
 

I know that Merc is now Flamingo but I have checked flamingobikes.com and I can't find the model that looks like the Brompton. (DAAAHHHH) Do they still sell them ?


PS- Man I have been posting like crazy in the last 72 hours or so.... I am on fire !! :speedy:

Did you get a chance to try the Ritchey Liquid Torque on your slipping seatpost?

Good point.... No, I have not got a chance, I have tried to get in 3 different stores but it wasn't available, I guess I will have to order it online. This is my only hope, I tried almost everything including a several visits to one of Dahon dealers in T.O but to no avail. I am willing to keep the bike although the dealers suggested to return them. It's really weird, the seatpost looks very firm and solid, the QR clamp is super firm and tight but the the seatpost slips after 10 min of gentle riding, I am only 60kg (130lbs) and I am really hoping the Liquid Torque will do it for me , although I doubt it.

Yes, by another name
 

If you check the Folding Bike section in the product index, there are at least 3 bikes which have the same fold as the Brompton, for example the HS-F2:

http://www.flamingobike.com/products...p?pid=60&cid=3

Sure the frame and components are a little different - but it's clearly the Brompton fold.

2nd thumbnail is the FL-BP01-3 - very very similar to a Brompton M3R.
http://www.flamingobike.com/products...id=3&cid=3#pro

However, I can't see anything on the website about distribution, and a quick Google search didn't turn up much. They probably need someone in US to market their product, given their stated willingness to produce for OEM.

The Flamingo that resembles the Brompton is rated for rider weight of only 80 kg*, compared to the Dahon Mu which is rated for 105 kg, so I doubt the bike will be imported, as currently spec'd, into the US.

Regards
T

*according to an email response received from the manufacturer

I'd like to know if anyone is selling the merc bikes in the U.S. esp. the internally geared multi speed (more then 3) models.

Nope. Flamingo does not have a US distributor.

--sam

the last correspondence I had with a UK merc distributor said they were getting out of the market. However, I am thinking of getting rid of mine, but it is in the UK, sorry....

and also, it has slippage..... have ordered liquid torque....

The Merc bikes that some of us have are in fact an earlier model made by Grace Gallant in Taiwan selling under the brand Flamingo Bike from there. It was an almost exact copy of the Brompton from the mid 1990s. Anita in the UK imported a container load and has now sold them off. She had a fair bit of hassle from Brompton. I think she has a small number left but she says they are not for sale. I have a feeling that she may want to hold onto them in case of warranty issues with the ones she sold, but that's a guess. She told me she has no plans to import any more. She does have spares for the bikes and is still selling them on ebay.co.uk. I have a small stock of parts because I intend to keep mine running.

Thanks, it makes sense.

TC

Merc was Anita's brand name as far as I can tell. It only needed a transfer and a logo to be printed on the carrying bag.

It was a hell of a good deal for £330. Bike with three speed hub, kickstand, rack, dynamo, lights, fenders, front luggage system and mounting block, bike carrying bag..... And they were OK too, give or take the odd niggle like the brakes needing strong hands. The few faults were easy and cheap to sort out, and they have taken some harsh use. I sort of wihs I'd bought a spare one and laid it up in the attic for the future.

EvilV,

Is Anita still selling parts in ebay? I can't find her. Do you have a link?

Thanks, I am still loving my Merc!!

WindyWheels

She does still sell parts on ebay. This is her ebay Id:

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/123maddy/?...=p3911.c0.m198

You can contact her through the page. There's a link on the left. Alternatively she has an active email address which I will give you by PM if you request it.

One of the most heart warming things about the bike was the price of the spares. She used to sell chainrings for £4.50 - I ask you - is that not the cheapest spare chain ring in the world? I've got a bunch of spares and also littlepixel sent me about half of his merc when he convered is into the Mercton Fixy.

I just got some new folding pedals for mine. They came this morning. I got the MKS type from ebay at a good price. Had them delivered for £25. Got them from here:

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/danscycleworkshop

Were these Merc Bikes ever sold in the USA?

No, not really. Merc were sold in the UK. That said, you could order one and have it shipped to the US if you were willing to pay the freight. I don't know that too many people did this since the cost would then start inching closer to an actual Brompton.

The main downside of the Merc as noted above is the 80kg (176#) weight limit.

--sam

I'm not aware of any weight limit being specified on the ones that Anita sold, and they are the ONLY Mercs, since she imported them and only them and put her Merc brand on them. Since then, Grace Gallant have made different frames in new designs and maybe these have a weight limit specified.

Whether there is or not a formal limit, I would suspect if I was not so heavy the slippage problem would not occur

Thanks EvilV for your useful answer, as always.
I am still riding my Merc and really happy with it. I bought it thanks to your advice and I can say that I am not looking back to other bikes at all.
Yes, the chainring were really cheap. I hope she has still the same prices. I don't need anything special as my Merc is still with all the original parts and nothing broke. OK, I've changed the tensioner for the aluminium one but not because it broke but because I bought it (as you sugested) and I've changed it.
I would like to buy some spare parts, just to have them in case Anita wont have more parts available.
I will really appreciate if you can give me her email address by PM.

I already bought the pedals from the link you sent!! Always following your steps... ;-)
Thanks again!

I have sent you a PM.

I have a load of spares, but since all parts except the pedals and brake pads are still sound, I haven't used them yet.