Black merckx 531 - any info?
06-08-12, 09:05 AM
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Black merckx 531 - any info?
Evening all,
Sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong area but I'm not up to speed on forum etiquette
I've got the chance to buy what's described as a vintage eddy merckx with 531 tubing - singlespeed, asking price is £140.
I've searched high and low to try and identify this bike - e.g. is it a falcon or not? I didn't think they were made with 531 tubing?
I'd really appreciate any help and your thoughts on if it's worth a punt.
many thanks in advance!
Sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong area but I'm not up to speed on forum etiquette
I've got the chance to buy what's described as a vintage eddy merckx with 531 tubing - singlespeed, asking price is £140.
I've searched high and low to try and identify this bike - e.g. is it a falcon or not? I didn't think they were made with 531 tubing?
I'd really appreciate any help and your thoughts on if it's worth a punt.
many thanks in advance!
06-08-12, 10:11 AM
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weapons-grade bolognium
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HIGHLY SUSPECT!!!!!!! Defintely not worth it.
06-08-12, 12:54 PM
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thanks, i'm naturally suspicious anyway The seller seems legit though (as they would if they were trying to rip me off lol). I understand there was a falcon 1974 merckx bike in black with 531 tubes. I think I'll go along for a look at it just in case. I'm new to this though, so any tips on how to tell if it's legit or not would be massively appreciated!
cheers again
The seller seems legit though (as they would if they were trying to rip me off lol). I understand there was a falcon 1974 merckx bike in black with 531 tubes. I think I'll go along for a look at it just in case. I'm new to this though, so any tips on how to tell if it's legit or not would be massively appreciated!cheers again
06-08-12, 05:42 PM
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I find a lot of "legit" sellers that are just clueless, or are suffering from memory fade. Had a really nice guy, fully convinced he paid over $600 for his 1971 Schwinn Varsity (bike sold for $100 back then).
So its not usually a case of them trying to misrepresent an item or lying, but they are still just as wrong.
So its not usually a case of them trying to misrepresent an item or lying, but they are still just as wrong.
06-08-12, 09:06 PM
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Looks like a low end Falcon Merckx to me, though the photos don't show much. If in doubt, take along a set of Venier Calipers and measure the seatpost diameter. For a British made bike, 26.8 or 27.2 will be a strong indicator of a 531 frame. My bet is it is 25.4 or thereabouts, which indicates what we colloqiually refer to as "gas pipe." That would not be 531.
+1 to what wrk says above, BTW. It usually is simple memory error. I don't trust much of what most sellers tell me. There are many exceptions, going both ways. Research and figure stuff out for yourself.
+1 to what wrk says above, BTW. It usually is simple memory error. I don't trust much of what most sellers tell me. There are many exceptions, going both ways. Research and figure stuff out for yourself.
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Last edited by Poguemahone; 06-08-12 at 09:10 PM. Reason: speeling
06-09-12, 01:26 AM
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thanks a lot folks, that's been helpful. I'm off to find some calipers I'm seeing the bike at lunchtime so I'll report back....
I'm seeing the bike at lunchtime so I'll report back....
06-09-12, 06:42 AM
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