This frame or one just like it has popped up on eBay a number of times over the past several years. It looks identical down to the paper tag.
During the Bike Boom, some importers kept replacement frames on hand for warranty or for sale to repair a wrecked bike, even some entry level models.
Back then $100 USD was a lot to spend on a "BICYCLE"! It would have been worth replacing, especially when bike shop labor rates were maybe $4.00 to $10.00 an hour.
As to why the seller may have paid the claimed $600, who knows?
Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA
billydavid13@comcast.net wrote:
> Hi Peter. The Mercier 100 was a very pretty entry level bike w/ mostly steel components. The tubing is essentially what is referred to as gaspipe. I personally like the ride of many of these rather basic bikes. I don't know how someone would have a NOS frameset, as far as i know they were only sold as complete bikes and no one in their right mind would strip one for the entry level parts as happened w/ many Campy equipped Raleigh Internationals and Bottechia Pros. More likely it's just a rather pristine frame. Perhaps one who's original steel parts were showing rust. Lightweight custom frames by artisan builders often go for less, as do high end complete production bikes. The seller is hoping to trade on a potential buyer's ignorance. But i doubt that anyone willing to drop that kind of money will be fooled, including members of the list. If one wanted to build a single speed/fixie w/ a classic look and didn't mind dealing w/ the French threads and stem size i suppose $15
0.00 would be the highest one would go.But you're basically paying for looks. But i'll post this to the list. Cheers. Billy Ketchum; Chicago, IL; USA.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Peter Naiman" <hetchinspete1@yahoo.com>
> To: billydavid13@comcast.net
> Sent: Monday, June 28, 2010 12:33:11 AM
> Subject: Re: [CR] NOS 1973 MERCIER 100 FRAME on Chicago Craigslist.
>
> Billy,
>
> I'm not aware of the frame, but if you think it's a scam you might forward it to the list, but carefully worded.
>
> Regards,
> Peter
>
> From: billydavid13@comcast.net
> Subject: Re: [CR] NOS 1973 MERCIER 100 FRAME on Chicago Craigslist.
> Date: Sunday, June 27, 2010, 11:04 PM
>
> Hi Peter. I can't believe anyone paid $600.00 for that frame, pristine though it may be. Perfectly ridable full PX-10s go for less than that. I think this guy is trying to scam the unwary but doubt very much that he will succeed. Thanks for the post. Billy Ketchum, Chicago.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Peter Naiman"
> To: "classicrendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 10:22:31 PM
> Subject: [CR] NOS 1973 MERCIER 100 FRAME on Chicago Craigslist.
>
> Found this on Craigslist tonight. Not related to the seller.
> Regards,
> Peter Naiman
> Milwaukee, WI USA
>
> NOS 1973 MERCIER 100 FRAME GREAT FOR SINGLE SPEED/FIXED GEAR - $499 (SOUTH BEND, IN will deliver)
>
> I am selling this NOS (New Old Stock) 1973 Mercier 100 frame. It has never been used. It was assembled once, but not actually ridden. I paid about $600 for it a few years ago. This frame would be great if used for a single speed or fixed gear to use downtown. I am a bicycle enthusiast and professional bicycle mechanic, this frame was one of my many (too many) project bikes. I am getting rid of a lot of frame sets that I just don't have time to build up, and would like to use the funds from the sale of these to work on my 29'er and some other road and mountain bike projects that are a higher priority. This frame has been maintained in and stored properly. This frame set is in perfect condition, no rust or oxidization and you can clearly tell that it has not been used. It is the original paint, with all of the decals and plating. It is a luxtub tubing, which is one of the few differences between this and a Mercier 300 frame. I AM VERY MOTIVATED TO SELL
> THIS SO ALL REASONABLE OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED. I AM TRYING TO GET SOME OF MY MONEY BACK OUT OF IT. IF YOU WANT A BEAUTIFUL, ORIGINAL FRAME LIKE THIS, WHICH WAS ACTUALLY MADE IN FRANCE (NOT CHINA), THEN YOU CAN REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
> Due to the popularity of this frame style, I am trying to sell in the Chicago area and would be willing to deliver.
> PLEASE CALL or TEXT WITH QUESTIONS @ 574-485-7477