Help spotting fake Eddy Merckx frame
 

Hi!
I am just getting into vintage bikes and I found a seemingly good offer on an eddy merckx bike.
I can't post links here, since it's a new account, but I can try to describe it.

The most unique looking point of the bikes is at the headtube, where the slugs have a pattern to them, sort of like a colnago clover, on the headtube itself. The bike also seems to either be in very good condition or freshly painted. Is there a way I could tell whether the bike is original or fake?

I looked through the old merckx bike catalogues, but I did not manage to find anything that matches the tube joints at the headtube.

Thanks a lot!

Eddy Merckx sold his name to companies to make bikes before he opened up his own company. The shop I used to work in sold Eddy Merckx made by Falcon. I think there were other examples of this.
So it's quite likely not a Merckx built by Merckx

Upload a picture to an album in your gallery and we can help you post it here.

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there were also examples produced in CH by Allegro

they are genuine in the sense that they are authorized, but not Merckx of Belgium


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Hi! Thanks for the super quick replies!
I uploaded pictures to an album in my gallery. It does seem likely that it's actually a merckx branded bike, made by someone else.

Picture Assistance
 

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1edd6019ed.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bc2c15b9e0.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8077d68c40.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1947b8a174.jpg

Link to OP's album.

Thanks a lot machinist42 !

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looks like it may be one of the Allegro models; they did several

if there is a serial ingot on the non-drive side of the seat tube just below the seat lug that would be a clincher

dating:

if the bicycle's Campag Nuovo Tipo hubs are original to it you will be able to get a date from the inner faces of their axle locknuts -

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2d05dddec7.jpg

would expect something in the '70-'72 time

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Nice looking bike.

After a bit more digging, it does really seem to be an Allegro, probably something like a Nr. 77 C. What would this bike be worth? The seller asked for around 450 Euros.

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sounds a bit much to me but then am not in Oesterreich

my guess would be that something in the vicinity of three hundreds would be closer to a fair market value

however, both values and salability can vary a good deal with location...

this forum has had other discussion threads on midliner Allegro Merckx models from this time; if you wish you can employ the search function to bring them up

if you would like to pursue an appraisal perhaps you could ask the moderators to move the thread over to the appraisals forum


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Is it just me or are those decals actually stenciled?

Thread moved from C&V to C&V Appraisals.

Thank you for moving the thread 😁

As soon as you get the claw RD hanger, stop looking.

What does a claw type hanger imply? Low quality/ not worth getting?

That's exactly what I meant.

I just had a chance to check the bike in person and the "eddy merckx" is actually stenciled on. The rest are stickers

Some are stencil others are decals this bike has stencils decals and some likely hand done pin stripping which makes for a great look for a lower mid level bike. This was pretty common on UK and Euro bikes during the 70's.

There were some entry level Merckx made and I have been lucky (poor choice of word perhaps) enough to view one in the flesh, so to speak. The one I saw was a step through model and definitely had not been repainted. With that in mind, the OP's bike, even with the claw hanger, might be legit. It has been upgraded with a saddle and Campy NR transmission (1970 as near as I can tell). If the hubs are Campy, look for the two digit date code stamped on the inside face of the lock nut. If it matches, then you might assume original components have been fitted to the bike but this is not cast in stone.

What ever it is it is pretty. Depending on how much the asking price is, it might be worth having.

I tried the bike out today, but sadly it's a bit too small for me. So I guess the case is closed for now.
Thanks again to everyone in this thread, you have all been super helpful and really make this community great!

After I saw the OP's picture, I realized we used to get some of this variety of Merckx in occasionally for repair. Merckx hadn't gone into business for himself during the years I worked as a mechanic. I think I saw more Merckx bikes with claw hangers than not. We saw a lot of the cheap Falcon Merckx bikes, but only ever sold the Campagnolo Record/531 variety. Those were really cheap for what they were, but the frames were crude.

Yes this one appears to be a medium straitit gage 531 frame with Record components all of which look original. But even with the eddy name , 531 tubes and Campy stuff it's still just average at best boom era bike with just OK paint condition.