Mertens Track bike

[Jake1]

I have had this bike and am putting it together for the upcoming season so I can give it a whirl on New Hampshire's velodrome track. It has been posted elsewhere so you may have seen the photos. I don't know much about it (actual year-40s-50s?; or builder-Mertens may not have made it). Parts seem to be 50s or earlier. Bayliss Wiley hubs and bottom bracket, Titan post, Weinmann rims with wood insert, Ideale saddle, Lyotard pedals (photo shows new pedals, originals had one bent axle ), unknown cogs and bar/stem.

 

[dnc1]

Built up that should make a great little bike for having fun on the track.
Do check that they'll let you use everything if it's a wooden track, sometimes they can be a little wary of old stuff on a modern velodrome.

 

[juvela]

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an earlier discussion on this fellow abideth here -

Unknown year Rijwielens Mertens frame - Bike Forums

Classic & Vintage - Unknown year Rijwielens Mertens frame - Rijwielens Mertens frame for track. Not sure of decade made (50s?). I have a complete set of parts that I believe are pretty much correct for the frame period. Frame was repainted when received. This was purchased a couple years ago...

www.bikeforums.net

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[non-fixie]

I'll be looking forward to build, and particularly to the action pictures.

 

[Jake1]

Built up that should make a great little bike for having fun on the track.
Do check that they'll let you use everything if it's a wooden track, sometimes they can be a little wary of old stuff on a modern velodrome.

That track has an asphalt surface. I didn't think that it would matter (I'd be riding on modern tires), but thanks for the heads up. I will contact them to ensure there is not an issue.

 

[dnc1]

That track is an asphalt surface. I didn't think that it would matter (I'd be riding on modern tires), but thanks for the heads up. I will contact them to ensure there is not an issue.

You shouldn't have any problems if that's the case.
Looking forward to seeing photos.

 

[Jesper]

Happy to see that frame! I wonder if @juvela has any idea as to the lug types. I'm an ignorant fool on that subject.

I looked at my Baggi lugs just to compare (I need to take newer photos), Similarities, but still quite different.

 

[Jesper]

I imagine that would receive quite the attention when rolling out onto a track. I'd love to see a photo of that bike next to a modern track bike, especially if you got the riders wearing their kits to match the different eras.

When did the skip tooth cogs go out of style?

 

[Jake1]

Thanks @Jesper for the photos! The lugs do seem similar; perhaps same brand, but different models. Do you know what year your bike is?

I don't know anything about the skip tooth cogs. Perhaps someone else might have an idea as to the time frame they were used. Seems that I've seen them more often on very early bikes circa pre-WW2.

 

[dnc1]

Thanks @Jesper for the photos! The lugs do seem similar; perhaps same brand, but different models. Do you know what year your bike is?

I don't know anything about the skip tooth cogs. Perhaps someone else might have an idea as to the time frame they were used. Seems that I've seen them more often on very early bikes circa pre-WW2.

I think they were definitely still being used on track bikes in the '50's and '60s.
I've been trying to find out when Campagnolo stopped producing them?