1981 Merz show bicycle with Dura_Ace AX group
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Big Sur California
Posts: 218
Bikes: 1946 Holdsworth Cyclone, 1969 Cinelli SC, 1972 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Merz road bike, 1974 Alex Singer Sportif, 1974 Merz track bike, 1975 Teledyne Titan, 1976 Ritchey road bike, 1977 DiNucci built Merz track bike, 1977 (?) Exxon Graftek, many more!
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 139 Post(s)
Liked 1,432 Times
in
175 Posts
1981 Merz show bicycle with Dura_Ace AX group
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hVoG1TcTgPkCipR66
Click link for more photos. I was going through my photos and saw this bike, thought it might be of interest here. Very trick bicycle! Jim Merz
Click link for more photos. I was going through my photos and saw this bike, thought it might be of interest here. Very trick bicycle! Jim Merz
Likes For Portlandjim:
Andy_K, bargo68, bikingshearer, billytwosheds, botty kayer, bulgie, cheffyjay, cinelliguy, fvernon, georges1, HeikoS69, John D, JSL, machinist42, MiloFrance, Nemosengineer, northbend, qcpmsame, Rick_D, Sactown_Albert, seagrade, Spoonrobot, squarenoise, squirtdad, SwimmerMike, TenGrainBread, Thalia949, Whit51, zookster
#2
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 401
Bikes: 2017 Sage Skyline, 2015 Co-Motion Periscope Tandem, 2012 Soma Smoothie, 2006 Kona Jake, 1986 Miyata Nine Twelve, 1977 Peugeot UO18c, 1977 Peugeot PRN10, 1974 Allegro Schweitzermeister Model 76, 1972 Hugo Rickert Spezial
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 116 Post(s)
Liked 601 Times
in
191 Posts
Cutting Edge at the Time
Gorgeous build, Jim! The first year of the AX gruppo. A good reminder that aero cable routing started a few years earlier than the mid 80s. Love the aero Araya rims you picked for this build. What made you pick them over others that were available at that time?
#3
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Big Sur California
Posts: 218
Bikes: 1946 Holdsworth Cyclone, 1969 Cinelli SC, 1972 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Merz road bike, 1974 Alex Singer Sportif, 1974 Merz track bike, 1975 Teledyne Titan, 1976 Ritchey road bike, 1977 DiNucci built Merz track bike, 1977 (?) Exxon Graftek, many more!
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 139 Post(s)
Liked 1,432 Times
in
175 Posts
I think the only other aero rims available at that time were Assos. They were very narrow and not really suitable for road bikes. I worked very closely with Shimano USA, I built show bikes for Shimano USA using Dura-Ace AX before it was available for sale to dealers. This bike became my personal ride, I'm on it in this James Mason photo. Mark DiNucci on the right, Bruce Gordon behind me. Jim Merz
Likes For Portlandjim:
#4
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,886
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1455 Post(s)
Liked 2,197 Times
in
963 Posts
Thanks for sharing this piece of history. The rear caliper under the chain stays is interesting. Can you share why you mounted it in this location? Finally, what became of this bike?
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Likes For pastorbobnlnh:
#6
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Big Sur California
Posts: 218
Bikes: 1946 Holdsworth Cyclone, 1969 Cinelli SC, 1972 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Merz road bike, 1974 Alex Singer Sportif, 1974 Merz track bike, 1975 Teledyne Titan, 1976 Ritchey road bike, 1977 DiNucci built Merz track bike, 1977 (?) Exxon Graftek, many more!
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 139 Post(s)
Liked 1,432 Times
in
175 Posts
Chainstay mounting of the rear brake allowed the brake cable to be almost totally hidden, only showing a bit behind the head tube and in front of the BB shell. Aero! In those days, I always had a new bike to ride. If some customer showed a fancy for the bike I was riding, I would just sell it to them. I have no idea where it went. I made a few replica versions of it, even with the orange color. But they weren't as trick as this bike. Jim Merz
Likes For Portlandjim:
#7
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Big Sur California
Posts: 218
Bikes: 1946 Holdsworth Cyclone, 1969 Cinelli SC, 1972 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Merz road bike, 1974 Alex Singer Sportif, 1974 Merz track bike, 1975 Teledyne Titan, 1976 Ritchey road bike, 1977 DiNucci built Merz track bike, 1977 (?) Exxon Graftek, many more!
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 139 Post(s)
Liked 1,432 Times
in
175 Posts
#8
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Redwood City CA
Posts: 301
Bikes: 57 ExpressWerke, 58 CinelliB, 62 CinelliB Altenberger, 70 Cinelli SC, 76 Masi, 77 Colin Laing, 78 Ritchey, 80 Jack Taylor, 82 Appel, 82 Davidson, 85 Ironman, 92? Andy Gilmour, 04 Peter Johnson, 91 Ed Litton, 11 Bianchi
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 96 Post(s)
Liked 451 Times
in
133 Posts
Jim, spectacular, super clean, love it, not so secretly want it!
Likes For cinelliguy:
Likes For P!N20:
#10
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Big Sur California
Posts: 218
Bikes: 1946 Holdsworth Cyclone, 1969 Cinelli SC, 1972 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Merz road bike, 1974 Alex Singer Sportif, 1974 Merz track bike, 1975 Teledyne Titan, 1976 Ritchey road bike, 1977 DiNucci built Merz track bike, 1977 (?) Exxon Graftek, many more!
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 139 Post(s)
Liked 1,432 Times
in
175 Posts
Likes For Portlandjim:
#11
Pedal to the medal
This is painfully cool. Thanks for sharing!
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,061
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4513 Post(s)
Liked 6,389 Times
in
3,674 Posts
Likes For merziac:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,061
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4513 Post(s)
Liked 6,389 Times
in
3,674 Posts
Likes For merziac:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,447
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4236 Post(s)
Liked 2,949 Times
in
1,808 Posts
Cool bike.
__________________
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
#16
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Not far from Paris
Posts: 1,968
Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam(to be built),1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 671 Post(s)
Liked 979 Times
in
650 Posts
Lovely bike and lovely build how much did the bike weight ??
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,061
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4513 Post(s)
Liked 6,389 Times
in
3,674 Posts
Likes For merziac:
#18
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Big Sur California
Posts: 218
Bikes: 1946 Holdsworth Cyclone, 1969 Cinelli SC, 1972 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Merz road bike, 1974 Alex Singer Sportif, 1974 Merz track bike, 1975 Teledyne Titan, 1976 Ritchey road bike, 1977 DiNucci built Merz track bike, 1977 (?) Exxon Graftek, many more!
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 139 Post(s)
Liked 1,432 Times
in
175 Posts
The frame was made with a mild version of the Columbus AIR tube set, around the same weight as Columbus SL. The AX parts are similar to Campagnolo NR in weight. I don't remember the total weight, but it must have been similar to a normal road bike with tubular wheels. Around 21 pounds.
Jim Merz
Jim Merz
Likes For Portlandjim:
#19
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Not far from Paris
Posts: 1,968
Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam(to be built),1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 671 Post(s)
Liked 979 Times
in
650 Posts
The frame was made with a mild version of the Columbus AIR tube set, around the same weight as Columbus SL. The AX parts are similar to Campagnolo NR in weight. I don't remember the total weight, but it must have been similar to a normal road bike with tubular wheels. Around 21 pounds.
Jim Merz
Jim Merz
#20
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 5,658
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1027 Post(s)
Liked 2,531 Times
in
1,059 Posts
I can still hear the neighbors saying: "Well, there goes the neighborhood"
I think the only other aero rims available at that time were Assos. They were very narrow and not really suitable for road bikes. I worked very closely with Shimano USA, I built show bikes for Shimano USA using Dura-Ace AX before it was available for sale to dealers. This bike became my personal ride, I'm on it in this James Mason photo. Mark DiNucci on the right, Bruce Gordon behind me. Jim Merz
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
#21
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Big Sur California
Posts: 218
Bikes: 1946 Holdsworth Cyclone, 1969 Cinelli SC, 1972 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Merz road bike, 1974 Alex Singer Sportif, 1974 Merz track bike, 1975 Teledyne Titan, 1976 Ritchey road bike, 1977 DiNucci built Merz track bike, 1977 (?) Exxon Graftek, many more!
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 139 Post(s)
Liked 1,432 Times
in
175 Posts
Likes For Portlandjim:
#22
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 5,658
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1027 Post(s)
Liked 2,531 Times
in
1,059 Posts
Likes For bikingshearer:
#23
Edumacator
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 6,829
Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2444 Post(s)
Liked 3,137 Times
in
1,976 Posts
The frame was made with a mild version of the Columbus AIR tube set, around the same weight as Columbus SL. The AX parts are similar to Campagnolo NR in weight. I don't remember the total weight, but it must have been similar to a normal road bike with tubular wheels. Around 21 pounds.
Jim Merz
Jim Merz
__________________
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,061
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4513 Post(s)
Liked 6,389 Times
in
3,674 Posts
I'm sure Jim will straighten us out, I can almost see BG on his HT and would certainly expect Mark to be riding his own.
Pretty sure this pic is from when Mark was working for/with Jim.
We visited that shop a couple of times after we met Jim at CycleCraft to begin with.
So flippin cool, we were so amazed at all that was going on while really having no idea what we were actually seeing.
One of our group, my best friend did almost go to work for Andy at Strawberry a little later, he ended up working at the shoe shop that made the super fancy top of the line, curled up toe Shriners "elf" shoes.
Pretty sure this pic is from when Mark was working for/with Jim.
We visited that shop a couple of times after we met Jim at CycleCraft to begin with.
So flippin cool, we were so amazed at all that was going on while really having no idea what we were actually seeing.
One of our group, my best friend did almost go to work for Andy at Strawberry a little later, he ended up working at the shoe shop that made the super fancy top of the line, curled up toe Shriners "elf" shoes.
#25
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Big Sur California
Posts: 218
Bikes: 1946 Holdsworth Cyclone, 1969 Cinelli SC, 1972 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Merz road bike, 1974 Alex Singer Sportif, 1974 Merz track bike, 1975 Teledyne Titan, 1976 Ritchey road bike, 1977 DiNucci built Merz track bike, 1977 (?) Exxon Graftek, many more!
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 139 Post(s)
Liked 1,432 Times
in
175 Posts