[CR] MERAL...from French Ebay seller

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Ideale)

Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:43:44 +0000
From: "Norris Lockley" <nlockley73@googlemail.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] MERAL...from French Ebay seller


Michael Thompson recently outed this attractive MERAL lady's frame, with its cranked top-tube.

As the Seller states, this is MERAL's version of a sporting frame designed for ladies; in fact MERAL took a European patent on the design.

I used to import MERAL in limited quantities in the early 80s, and as a result sold a number of these frames. They really are great fun to ride - giving a real feel of a fast bike. However, even the better model was only produced in that rare of rare Reynolds tubing, the SMS set, with its black and red transfer. As I recall, this tubing was only a high carbon or manganese alloy steel.

I note that the Ebay frame uses the short budget-price BCM lugs and a pressed steel crown, possibly with 2040 steel tubes whereas the better model had the SMS and a Bocama cast or forged crown.

While the Meral is an interesting frame to add to the stable, and to make your wife think that you are as concerned about her collection as you are your own, the asking price by the seller is very high.

A budget price option now passing through French Ebay is an early 1980s MOTOBECANE which uses this company's variation on the MERAL high-top-tube-theme. Also built with 2040 light steel tubing this comes a a colour coordinated bike - the whole ensemble looking very attractive when being ridden. At it's current price of around 50 euros - a price that is unlikely to rise very much - it really is a steal.

The Motobecane design was used to provide frames with reasonably high handlebar positions and yet quite short seat-tubes. I think the frame sizes ranged from about 48 cms up to 56 cms.

*ITEM No 160387787116.* * * If my wife actually rode a bike I would bid for this Motobecane, but having just reached the age of 70 without ever having mastered the art of staying upright on a bike, let alone learning to turn the pedals, I reckon that she would not welcome the machine stuffed, belatedly, in her Christmas stocking.

Norris Lockley, Settle UK