Specification:
- Serial No: 010937
- Frame: Mercier Service Des Courses; Reynolds 531 butted tubing, forks and stays; Seat Tube: 57cm ctt; Top Tube: 56cm ctc; Head Angle: 75deg; Seat Angle: 74.5deg; Wheelbase: 99cm; Campagnolo dropouts
- Crankset: Campagnolo Super Record; Chainrings: 53t/42t
- Pedals: Campagnolo Super Record
- Gears: Campagnolo Super Record front and rear derailleurs. 14-24t 6-speed freewheel.
- Wheels: Mavic rims on Campagnolo Record SF hubs
- Brakes: Campagnolo Super Record
- Handlebars and Stem: Cinelli
- Saddle and Seatpost: Cinelli on Campagnolo Record seatpost 26.6 mm diameter
Notes:
The “Service Des Courses” department built the high-end Mercier racing bikes but there is some confusion in that they used “Fait Main – Controle Service Des Courses” stickers on frames that were clearly not high end racing frames and without the distinctive head tube decals. Like as if the building of the frames was under the control of the SdC rather than done by them – possibly just a bit of marketing rather than anything meaningful (as always I am looking for more solid information if anybody has any or knows where I might find it). It can be difficult to date Mercier frames if they have lost their original head tube decal and components because there is no number stamped on the frame. This frame required complete renovation because it had been modified with the addition of some touring braze-ons and had been refinished. The frame was purchased with a Pat 77 first generation Super Record rear derailleur, but the indications are that the frame is probably later because of the colour (there were traces of the original colour still remaining and this has been reproduced) which is more reminiscent of the early 1980s team bikes.
Although the frame had been modified for touring, its racing pedigree is evident from the brazed-on race number tab and the drilled Campagnolo dropouts. The workmanship of the frame is not absolutely perfect, but it is remarkable for a “factory” frame in the filing of the lugs and generally very high standard of finish.
Frame renovation by Atlantic Boulevard, Bury, Lancs, England; decals by bicycledecals.net
Additional Photos:
Thanks for the info. For some reason the team bikes were loyal to Campagnolo components for a long time, though they sold mane really nice racing bikes with French components.
I actually need to revise this page because the bike is earlier than stated – likely about 1979