Just bought a complete Mercier from a list member. This is either just barely On Topic or just barely Off Topic, trying to determine which. This bike may represent the final days of at least two classic French companies. The bike is a Mercier Bordeaux-Paris, medium blue with white decals, Columbus Tretubi frame, gold-lined long point lugs, quality forged but unmarked DO's. Cromed fork engraved "Mercier" with their crown logo. The headtube decal is one I have never seen, a stylized rider with arms raised in a victory salute. Nervar late-type crank, think this is 122 BCD. Derailleurs, shifters and brakes Campy, either Victory or Triomphe, always have trouble telling them apart. Shimano Exage hubs and HS, Araya clincher rims. Seat post is an incredibly long 26.0 Kalloy of design very similar to the old Weyless. Selle Italia saddle. Bars are nicely engraved, apparently French. Pedals seem to be Specialized version of SunTour Superbe with replaceable track-type cage - maybe not original. Christophe clips.
This seems mid-80's. The use of Columbus tubing, Campy and Japanese components, along with some French bits is similar to that seen on Motobecane and Peugeot in that era. Does anyone know this model? When did Mercier fold? Would this have been one of the last models? Also, does this represent pretty much the last Nervar crank? When did they fold?
Regards.
Jerry Moos
Houston. TX