Cycles Mercier is a French bicycle manufacturer founded in 1919 by Emile Mercier in Saint-Etienne, the cradle of French cycling manufacturing.
From the 1930s through to the 1980s they sponsored cycling teams which helped them to establish the status of a high end sports bike manufacture. Many famous Champions like Raymond Poulidor made the bikes famous the world over.
At the time when Mercier had a particular stronghold in professional cycling, their top class racing bikes were some of best you could get in France. - Just like our Mercier 531 High-end Road Bike from ca. 1960.
The frame of the bike consists of a combination which was possibly responisble for more cycling victories than any other: intricate Nervex Professional lugs and lightweight butted Reynolds 531 tubing.
As for the parts, the core is formed by a Huret Allvit shifting of the first generation. The first mass marketed Huret parallelogram derailleur with its technical appearance was the 20th century French Revolution of gear shifting
In general, excellent French parts must not be missing on such a bike. Which explains why there is a Philippe Cockpit installed as well as Mafac Dural Forge brakes and a Stronglight crankset and headset.
Of all other parts we have to mention the excellent wheels withWeinmann rims and Campagnolo Record hubs as well as the original Brooks Professional saddle.
Being fully equipped, the Mercier comes of course with splendid Lyotard Pedals.
All in all a bike that would not differ much from what you could find at the Tour de France back then.
Our Mercier is a classy purple piece of cycling history.
