Re: [CR] Help! Trying to identify a Mercier frameset

(Example: Framebuilders:Tubing:Columbus)

From: Peter Rogers <pjrogers@rogers.com>
To: "Leon Gierat" <leon.gierat@gmail.com>
References: <AANLkTinN8dhENt81oDiKQ_ekWGXXMF3Ng55fpoJaLlua@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:48:57 -0400
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR] Help! Trying to identify a Mercier frameset


Hi Leon, I cannot be 100% sure about the decals, but I suspect that they looked like the ones shown on the early 1980's Mercier that I have. It has the same logos on the top of the front forks and the seat stays. You will note also that it has same metallic pink paint finish.

Though I am not an expert, I suspect that your frame may be slightly earlier than mine. But, I think that your Mercier would be a top model, due to the quality of the forged drop-outs and the general details and workmanship etc.

You can see my Mercier if you scroll down my blog page: http://petersclassicwheels.blogspot.com/

If you need accurate details of the decals, I can have a go at taking some photos and measurements etc.

I hope that this helps,

Kind regards, Peter Rogers

Barrie, Ontario, Canada

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Leon Gierat" <leon.gierat@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 5:44 PM
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Help! Trying to identify a Mercier frameset


> Hi Everyone,

>

> I think I was on this mailing list before, but quite a long time ago,

> so hello again. As a brief intro to myself, I ride road, MTB and

> cross, have raced all three, but am generally too busy with the family

> to take competition too seriously these days.

>

> I've also been hanging onto a few vintage (?) bikes and frames for

> years, thinking that one day I would do something with them, and this

> is the beginning of that journey. Tucked away I have a 1936 Claud Butler,

> and

> a 1950's or maybe 1960's Carpenter 531 tandem with lots of Campy bits

> (not a full

> set, sadly). Not sure when I'll get around to those though.

>

> So my first project? I am trying to identify a Mercier. I know it's a

> Mercier, because it has a nice embossed "Mercier" on either side of

> the Fork Crown, an an embossed "M & Crown" at the top of the chain

> stays. In fact, it basically looks very similair to this one here, but

> there

> are differences:

>

> http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/bc_stockwell_bikestuff/pink-mercier/?g2_page=1

>

> It has the same drilled dropouts, and lugwork, etc. It has a 126mm rear

> spacing. It has a 26.6mm Campagnolo seatpost (original?). It's not a

> record, I don't think. It's not polished enough, but it's fluted with

> a nice anodized head. The flutes are not pink, like in the one above.

>

> Forks were chromed. The BB cable guides are Campagnolo.

>

> You can also see the original pink paint showing through under the

> nasty home respray. It's a sort of metallic, deep pink, which was a

> signature colour for Mercier, I understand.

>

> Can anyone help me identify the model, quality, and the sort of decals

> (or scans of decals)

> etc I should source for it. I'm going to restore it as a period bike,

> but not go for a "catalogue" spec (although if there was such a

> thing, I'd love to know what it was). It will be built as the sort of

> bike that someone of the time would have

> ridden (i.e. all my current bikes have a mix and match of contemporary

> equipment that I like). I've already got some simplex retrofriction

> shifters, a Mavic 501 rear mech, Mavic 501 hubs, campag brake calipers

> (not sure the model, but very shiny :-), so I guess I'm a third of the

> way there.

>

> Pictures here to help the identification:

>

> http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/leon.gierat/Mercier?authkey=Gv1sRgCNX807blptXI2gE

>

> Thanks for your help.

>

> Leon Gierat,

> Bristol, UK