Jacques Mercet Course, 1974, Switzerland
History & Specifications
I got most of the information about this mostly unknown frame builder from the previous owner of this Mercet. Jacques Mercet learned a trade in the mechanical field. As a young adult, he was in the military during the war and did not have the opportunity to pursue a racing career. He worked for the Swiss postal service. Traces of his racing skills can be found in 1956 – 1962 as a 5-time winner in the race “Lausanne Pédale de Montéan” in the category Seniors-Vétérans. One of his passions was the construction of racing bike frames. The oldest Mercet documented on the web so far dates back to 1963. Mercet was constantly developing, implementing his ideas and building ever more elaborate, aesthetically outstanding design creations. He was a well-known frame builder in canton Vaud and his racing bikes were very expensive at the time. The numbers built per year varied, from perhaps 10-30 units in the 60s and 70s, to single-digit numbers per year in the 1980s and 90s. The last of his creations date from 2000.
This elegant Mercet was ordered for himself by a great friend of Jacques Mercet (he had around 10 Mercet bikes) at the time. He wanted a lightweight racing bike.
After buying it, I decided to do a major overhaul.
The frame from at that time in Europe not very common Ishiwata 017 frame tube set, from the weight between Columbus SL and KL already shows some rafinesse. In addition to the beautiful finish, the sleeves are formally reworked, the brake axles are firmly soldered to the frame and the saddle clamp without the usual two-piece bolt. The careful workmanship is visible on the example of the bottom bracket shell only when the bike is turned upside down.
The racing bike is equipped with a high-quality mix of components from Campagnolo Super Record, Shimano Dura-Ace, Huret Jubilée, Mavic, DT and Weinmann. Replaced was the small, also drilled chainring because the teeth had been worn out. The fawn Idéal saddle I replaced with a Selle Italia Super Professional because the color fits better. The Ishiwata decals are not the original 1974 version, I got these from the frame builder Röbi Stolz in Zurich. I especially like the typography and graphics of the decals and they emphasize the specialness of the frame.
The bike has been maintained and is in good optical and very good mechanical condition.
Frame size seat tube 58.5 cm center-top, top tube length 56 cm center-center, weight 9.3 kg.