MERCIER Services des Courses – Team HUTCHINSON MERCIER (1977) – SOLD

– The MERCIER company was established In 1919, in the town of Saint-Etienne by Emile Mercier and his brothers. They began to manufacture bicycles.

– In 1933, the directors had a visionary idea. In order to become more widely known in public, they joined forces with a professional team in 1933.

– In 1955 the signature purple of the Mercier racers appeared. “It may not be pretty, but at least we stand out in the peloton” declared Emile Mercier.

– The Breton succeeds his compatriot Jean Forestier and makes his mark on the “Northern Hell” in the spring of 1956. He broke at speed to beat the Belgian Alfred De Bruyne and Jean Forestier at the sprint. This victory at Roubaix secured Bobet’s place in cycling history.

– For the 1961 edition of the classic 298 kilometre race, an unknown competitor made his first appearance on screen. His name? Raymond Poulidor.

– In 1964, rivalry between the cold Anquetil and the unlucky Poulidor divided France. The 20th stage of the Tour de France 1964 would cast the final decision.

– 150,000 bicycles were made in 1975. Mercier is renowned for the quality of their production, with their bikes being fabricated mainly with Italian and Stephanoise pieces.

– The 80’s saw American and Asian competitors flood the cycling market with cheaper models. This brought with it the end of Mercier Cycles, who closed their doors in 1985.

R.Poulidor wins Milan San Remo 1961 on a Mercier bike.

Happy to present this iconic French racing machine – MERCIER Service des Courses of Team Hutchinson Mercier, which dates back to 1977. Superb frameset is made of Reynolds 753 tubing, Campagnolo drop-outs and lugs with cut-outs, easily recognisable Mercier signature on the seat stays and fork crown. Fully built with Campagnolo Record / Super Record 1st gen groupset, Cinelli stem and handlebar, Cinelli Unicanitor saddle, Mavic Service Course rims. No much words needed.

Museum piece. 

Frame & Fork: MERCIER Service des Courses / Reynolds 753 tubing ( serial no. 012308)

Size:

-seat tube (c-t): 57 cm

-top tube (c-c): 56 cm

-headset tube: 14 cm

-standover: 80 cm

Crankset: Campagnolo Super Record 1st gen

Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Record

Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record 1st gen

Headset: Campagnolo Super Record

Shifters: Campagnolo Super Record

Brake Levers: Campagnolo Super Record

Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record

Stem: Cinelli

Handlebar: Cinelli Giro d’Italia

Hubs: Campagnolo Super Record

Rims: Mavic SSC

Seatpost: Campagnolo Super Record 1st gen  (27.2mm)

Seat: Cinelli Unicanitor

Pedals: Campagnolo Super Record

Handlebar Tape: vintage cotton, biege

Condition: Used, but very good condition. Original paint and decals. No cracks, no dents, not bent. Some signs of normal use.

Year: 1977

Price: SOLD (May 2023)