Eddy Merckx Frame Details needed
10-15-07, 06:45 AM
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Eddy Merckx Frame Details needed
Hi Folks,
i bought this nice merckx frame and want some details now. The steel is reynolds.
Greetings, Sven
i bought this nice merckx frame and want some details now. The steel is reynolds.
Greetings, Sven
10-15-07, 07:48 AM
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personally, I think you've got yourself one of the best framesets that Merckx has ever produced. A lovely bike. Sweet,nimble & predictable handling and an intimate, silky ride. You're in for a treat. Take good care of her-she's a true classic - most Merckx Professionals were built with Columbus tubing rather than Reynolds. Quality,performance and ride are virtually identical between the Reynolds 531 and Columbus SL versions but yours is somewhat unique and rarely seen.
10-15-07, 09:22 AM
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Bikes: ca.1975 Gitane Interclub - 90's Colnago Master Competition- ca.'84 Merckx Corsa - '77 Groene Leeuw - ca. '78 Guerciotti - ca.1984 L'Express - 1974 Gitane 'Super Olympic' - Peugeot 1981 PXN10 - 1975 Peugeot PR10 -1974 Norta -1974 Peugeot PX10 LE
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You'll have to promise bigger pics as soon as it's finished - that looks like a gorgeous and very special
Merckx!
Merckx!
10-22-07, 06:55 AM
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How'd ya like them apples
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My friend is on the look out for a Merckx frame. Any suggestions on where to source one?
Thanx
Thanx
10-22-07, 08:41 AM
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10-23-07, 01:57 AM
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How'd ya like them apples
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Maybe he would like this. I do!
10-23-07, 06:54 AM
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It's not mine. Wish it were. A 753 Merckx is real special.
10-23-07, 09:07 AM
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This is a completely ignorant comment of mine...but is that De Rosa built? Looks like the BB shell used on 'em.
-Kurt
-Kurt
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10-23-07, 09:31 AM
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I'm hoping Caterham will pipe in, most of my knowledge on the subject comes from him, but I would think that there is a chance it is Ugo built. I would imagine its building was guided by him, at the very least, if not entirely done by his hands.
10-23-07, 11:36 AM
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The unique investment cast lugs used for both DeRosa and Merckx frames were a design supplied by Microfusion Italiana.
TMK, Ugo himself was involved in an advisory, supervisory and tutorial role only during the pre and first production batch of Merckx bicycles. Merckx himself had no technical knowledge of framebulding when he went into business and relied exclusively on Ugo's guidance and assistance . The initial production of Merckx were for all intents identical except in small details to DeRosa designs. It's been rumoured that those initial Merckx's with an Eddy Merckx longhand "autograph" script on the seatstay caps were in fact built by Ugo himself. The use of Reynolds tubing was a tentative first step in establishing a product identity separate from DeRosa.All 753 bikes would have been built by the senior, most skilled framebuilder at Merckx as Reynolds required individual certification in order to obtain the tubesets. initially, a framebuilder interested in producing 753 bikes would order a single 753 tubeset which would come shipped without 753 decaling. The builder would then braze up the frame and return it to Reynolds for inspection before receiving approval & certification to build with the material.
ps- 753 certification was a huge deal back then. The tubing was brittle and could not be coldset. Anyone factory certified to build with it was considered the best of the best. Many now famous builders, such as Kellogg, made their reputations in no small measure because they were able to obtain Reynolds 753 factory certfication.
TMK, Ugo himself was involved in an advisory, supervisory and tutorial role only during the pre and first production batch of Merckx bicycles. Merckx himself had no technical knowledge of framebulding when he went into business and relied exclusively on Ugo's guidance and assistance . The initial production of Merckx were for all intents identical except in small details to DeRosa designs. It's been rumoured that those initial Merckx's with an Eddy Merckx longhand "autograph" script on the seatstay caps were in fact built by Ugo himself. The use of Reynolds tubing was a tentative first step in establishing a product identity separate from DeRosa.All 753 bikes would have been built by the senior, most skilled framebuilder at Merckx as Reynolds required individual certification in order to obtain the tubesets. initially, a framebuilder interested in producing 753 bikes would order a single 753 tubeset which would come shipped without 753 decaling. The builder would then braze up the frame and return it to Reynolds for inspection before receiving approval & certification to build with the material.
ps- 753 certification was a huge deal back then. The tubing was brittle and could not be coldset. Anyone factory certified to build with it was considered the best of the best. Many now famous builders, such as Kellogg, made their reputations in no small measure because they were able to obtain Reynolds 753 factory certfication.
Last edited by caterham; 10-23-07 at 11:59 AM.
10-23-07, 02:20 PM
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Great post, Caterham.
If you have the time and the inclination, maybe you could write a short history of Merckx branded frames. There seem to be so many steel Eddys popping up on ebay, with most descriptions offering little to no hard information on the origin and history of the frame. Sheldon Brown and Classic Rendezvous don't have much info on their sites, and there are no catalogs on M. Bulgier's.
I've always thought that Merckxs were kinda overpriced, given the unremarkable lugwork on most. They usually have pretty nice paint and decals, as well as that ephemeral Cannibal Magic, but aren't nice, rare, or old enough to justify the dollars they command. Still, I wouldn't kick Eddy outta bed for eating crackers.
If you have the time and the inclination, maybe you could write a short history of Merckx branded frames. There seem to be so many steel Eddys popping up on ebay, with most descriptions offering little to no hard information on the origin and history of the frame. Sheldon Brown and Classic Rendezvous don't have much info on their sites, and there are no catalogs on M. Bulgier's.
I've always thought that Merckxs were kinda overpriced, given the unremarkable lugwork on most. They usually have pretty nice paint and decals, as well as that ephemeral Cannibal Magic, but aren't nice, rare, or old enough to justify the dollars they command. Still, I wouldn't kick Eddy outta bed for eating crackers.
10-23-07, 02:38 PM
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Moki,
I have been intently watching that auction, and I don't think I'm alone. The last 5 minutes should prove to be interesting. I've already lined up a couple to sell if I'm lucky enough to win that one.
I have been intently watching that auction, and I don't think I'm alone. The last 5 minutes should prove to be interesting. I've already lined up a couple to sell if I'm lucky enough to win that one.
10-23-07, 03:00 PM
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This could end up a shootout.
10-23-07, 03:05 PM
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My size and a benelux bike. . .
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10-23-07, 03:31 PM
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There is a reason no one on the CR list has outed this bike...
Last five minutes? Try the last 10 seconds.
And I could pick it up even.
Some minuses though, no flat crown, fastback style stays, and a carbon seat post... the original must be somewhere...
Last five minutes? Try the last 10 seconds.
And I could pick it up even.
Some minuses though, no flat crown, fastback style stays, and a carbon seat post... the original must be somewhere...
10-23-07, 04:07 PM
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I figure someone will make their move in the last few minutes. I'll wait until under 10 seconds and come in with my best offer. I'm not crazy, though, and realize that there will always be nicer ones along someday.
Best of luck to all, hope you all have second thoughts and drop out
10-23-07, 05:31 PM
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The owner of this bike actually sent me some pictures and serial number just prior to his listing on ebay -- a decent portion of his description text is mine -- though I think he left some key details out. He sent me a fair quantity of pics that aren't part of his auction, which you can see here:
https://www.cadre.org/Merckx/S-8170-A/
He had actually written to tell me he was pulling the auction, but I guess he had a change of heart. S
Looks like a very nice frame. The GP was first intro'd in 1986, so this is from the first year or two. Nice collection of components...though I think thats's a Modolo Xtenos stem, which apparently are prone to failure...
My Grand Prix is the bike they'll have to pry from my cold, dead hands. Bikes may come and go, but this ones a keeper. Good luck to all of you bidding.
https://www.cadre.org/Merckx/S-8170-A/
He had actually written to tell me he was pulling the auction, but I guess he had a change of heart. S
Looks like a very nice frame. The GP was first intro'd in 1986, so this is from the first year or two. Nice collection of components...though I think thats's a Modolo Xtenos stem, which apparently are prone to failure...
My Grand Prix is the bike they'll have to pry from my cold, dead hands. Bikes may come and go, but this ones a keeper. Good luck to all of you bidding.
10-23-07, 05:50 PM
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Great post, Caterham.
If you have the time and the inclination, maybe you could write a short history of Merckx branded frames. There seem to be so many steel Eddys popping up on ebay, with most descriptions offering little to no hard information on the origin and history of the frame. Sheldon Brown and Classic Rendezvous don't have much info on their sites, and there are no catalogs on M. Bulgier's.
If you have the time and the inclination, maybe you could write a short history of Merckx branded frames. There seem to be so many steel Eddys popping up on ebay, with most descriptions offering little to no hard information on the origin and history of the frame. Sheldon Brown and Classic Rendezvous don't have much info on their sites, and there are no catalogs on M. Bulgier's.
Bulgier's site has 4 Merckx catalogs, FYI.