Updated: June 4/2020

1973 Mercier 300

Cycle Mercier was founded in Saint-Etienne (France) by Emile Mercier and 2 partners in 1919. Mercier bought out his partners in 1924. Initially the firm built bike components, but started selling complete bikes around 1930. Starting in 1933, Mercier began sponsoring a professional cycling team. I bought this bike, as shown, in 2013 from the original owner. He put it together for his then girlfriend, who eventually left him (ouch), but the bike stayed behind. Years later he sold it to me. Notice that the bike's componentry differs considerably form a stock 300 (see list at the bottom). THE BIKE Frame: Full Reynolds 531 double butted tubing with Simplex dropouts, Bocama lugs and Nervex fork crown. Original paint, no touch ups.Top and seat tubes: 54 cm and 51.5 cm c-to-c, respectively. Brakeset: Mafac Competition levers and calipers. Handlebars: ATAX CTA Stem: GB Neta Headset: Campagnolo Record Shifters: Simplex SLJ Front Derailleur: Simplex SLJ Rear Derailleur: Simplex SLJ Crankset: Stronglight 93 Bottom Bracket: Stronglight Pedals: Lyotard 460 D Wheelset: Maillard 700 Professional large flange hubs laced to Super Champion Gentleman 81 clincher rims Chain : Sedis Freewheel: Maillard Course 5 speed. Seatpost: Campagnolo Record 26.4 mm diameter Saddle: Ideale 2000 Model 300: stock component list Reynolds 531 double butted frame, front and rear forks. Chromium plated front fork ends. Simplex Criterieum front and rear gear changers. Simplex frame mount shift controls. Normandy Competition Dural QR large flange hubs Stronglight headset. Stronglight professional crank set and chainwheel 46 x 52 (picture looks like a Stronglight 93). Simplex cable clips. Dural pedals with reflectors. Chrome seat post. MAFAC brakes with hooded levers and adjusters. Atom 66 competition freewheel 14 x 24. Sedis chain. Mavic Monthlery alloy rims. Chromed straight gauge spokes. Hutchinson tubular sew-up racing tires. Ideale 2000 molded saddle. Dural handlebar. Dural AMC handlebar stem. Tornade Dural ringed pump with AFA express connector. Brazed-on pump clips. Toe clips and straps. Approximate Weight: 22 lbs. Colors: Orange, Red, Sky Blue, White, Yellow, Kelly Green, and Purple Frame Sizes: 19 1/2", 21", 23", 25"