Mark A’s 1971ish Mercier (In Progress)

Posted

Year: 1971 (?) Make: Mercier Model: Unknown

A little bit about it: I got this as a frame only and have been building it up with various era-appropriate wheels, bars, components, etc. I have several French front and rear derailleurs to pick from, but I’m hanging Suntour instead, along with Sugino crankset. The bottom bracket is Stronglight, the downtube shifters are Simplex, the handlebars are unknown (but presumably French), and the saddle is an Ideale 2002 that I found at the bottom of a box of otherwise crappy old seats and parts that I paid five bucks for. I overhauled the bottom bracket and headset, and replaced the bearings, realizing too late that this frame doesn’t use a retainer… whoops! Bearings all over the garage floor! I need to dig out a set of pedals and clips to replace the flats I currently have mounted, but it’s really pretty amazing how relaxed the ride quality is.

Thanks Mark

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  • julie s

    Very pretty. That may be a 300 model (531 frame) If the dropouts are simplex you’re sort of stuck with simplex rdr’s. Otherwise you’ll have to modify th hanger. Retap the threads and file a stop. The folks over in bike forums would have a fit!!!!! Hahahaha. Very few of these around-so I’m told. A very worthy project.

    • Mark

      I’ve hung a Suntour VGT-Luxe and it’s working great. Love my French bikes, but I’m not crazy about Simplex rear derailleurs.