Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Somec Mercury

Somec Mercury

Maybe there’s something in the old Greek fisherman’s custom of painting a lucky eye upon the bow of their boats, perhaps the shooting stars that adorn the tubes of this Somec Mercury tip their hat to the messenger god it is dedicated to. It has traveled many miles, and as credit to the reason why we love classic steel frames, doesn’t look like giving up at any stage soon.

The origin of the Somec brand lie inside it’s title: the Societa Mechanica is the Italian organization formed to maintain a standard amongst local frame builders in the 1960s by Giro d’Italia mechanic Oliviero Gallegati. You may recognize the prancing stallion from the bonnet of a well-known Mediterranean coach builder but for the slight difference of the horse’s tail which, on the Somec decal, points towards the ground.

Yes, this Mercury bears the marks of the miles it has traversed, but each paint chip will be well remembered by its owner, Fitra, who rode it hundreds of kilometers after Rangga, from Jakarta’s Pancalen Cycles, built it up. The beauty of these modern classics is that they’re built to be enjoyed by those that love to ride.


Somec Mercury
Somec Mercury
Somec Mercury
Somec Mercury
Somec Mercury
Somec Mercury
Somec Mercury
Somec Mercury
Somec Mercury
Somec Mercury
Somec Mercury