Hi Chas. I agree...pink bikes have been ridden by some of the greats, including Raynond Poulidor himself.
A year or so ago, I purchased a NOS 1981 Mercier on Ebay, which many here probably followed while it was bidding. It failed to reach the reserve of $1900, but I bought it from the owner for the asking price after the bidding closed.
Again, the Mercier that I bought is pink, but in metallic paint. The components were all Campagnolo record in unused condition. The lug work on the frame looks like the one that recently sold, except the ends are Vitus, the fork has a sloping crown and the clearances are closer.
As it turns out, I think that my Mercier was one of the last "professional" spec. frames that Mercier built before it started to get into financial difficulties.
I agree with a lot of the comments regarding the price of a rare bike like the Mercier with NOS parts compared to buying a new bike. I'd go for the classic Mercier every time.
All the best, Peter Rogers
Barrie, Ontario
> Chas.
>
> Pretty in pink but a little to spendy for me. I watched this bike all week
> and was tempted to bid on it until the price went over $900 USD. If it
> were
> only a 55cm or 56cm....
>
> I've been looking for a nice classic Mercian for several years. All of the
> Mercian bikes and frames I've seen so far on eBay have been really beat up
> and/or the ones in "flamboyant" pink were all faded.
>
> I agree with you about the price, what can you get today in a new steel
> bike for ~$1700?
>
> Real men do ride pink! Tell riders like Rik van Looy, Cyrille Guimard,
> Barry Hoban or Joop Zoetemelk that they are "Girlie Men" because they ride
> pink
> bikes! ;-)
>
> BTW, I have two OT Centurion "Ironman" Tri bikes in Miami Vice pink and
> yellow, a 1986 and a 1987!
>
> Chas. Colerich
> Oakland, CA
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> **************
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