Mercier (bicycle)
Mercier was a French manufacturer of bicycles from Saint-Etienne in France . The company was founded by Emile Mercier (1893–1973), who produced bicycle frames from 1924 and complete bicycles only from 1930. The assembly took place in Andrézieux-Bouthéon. The company was best known in cycling through Raymond Poulidor , who rode Mercier bikes. At the end of the 1980s, the company stopped production.
Mercier was founded in the 1930s and manufactured bicycles in a wide quality range, similar to its competitor Peugeot . In the 1970s, Mercier was Peugeot's main competitor; but while Peugeot used the same material (Reynolds tubes, Simplex rear derailleurs , CLB), Mercier built different tubes and components. The racing bike models "Service des Courses" made from Reynolds or Columbus tubes became famous. The company later also offered aluminum and carbon fiber models produced by Vitus.
In addition to Poulidor, Joop Zoetemelk also drove a “Formula One” frameset with an “Aero Vitus” tube set.
The wheels sold today under the “Mercier” label come from production in Southeast Asia and no longer have anything to do with the French manufacturer.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Information on Sheldon Brown's homepage http://sheldonbrown.com/velos.html
- ↑ velobase.com - View Brand