ingebar

Hi all – I'm new here, and am finding the collective knowledge here jawdropping. May I exploit it?

I just adopted a Molteni orange, Merckx-decalled (c. 1976?) Allegro. I was told when I bought it that it was purchased by the original owner in Switzerland in the '70s. It needs serious TLC for sure, but I couldn't resist a bike with 2 little Eddy faces stuck on it. I'm game for doing the work to make it pretty and functional.

Anything I know about Allegros I've just learned from browsing around here, and from what's left of allegrobikes.com (at archive.org). That website used to have PDFs of old catalogs for download, but the one I want – a 1976 catalog featuring the Eddy Merckx model – wasn't archived. (Does anyone here have a copy of that?)

I'm new to the classic/vintage world (this bike is my first foray) and I would be grateful for any information.

unworthy1

You may have come across this already, but if not:
"Hi, I believe Bill is correct. It is my catalog I brought back from the
Allegro factory in 1976 that is on the Allegro site. I saw the bikes the Pro
model was very nice.

Regards
Craig Griffith
San Luis Obispo, ca.

> Brett Horton wrote:
"There has been considerable discussion on the list over the years about
the Falcon-Merckx mass produced bikes. What I am trying to determine is which came first: Falcon-Merckx or Kessels-Merckx mass produced bikes?"

> Hey gang, aren't we forgetting that Allegro of Switzerland also made an
Eddy Merckx licensed bike? The cataloged two versions, one a cheapie with steel
cottered cranks, and the other a full-on Super Record equipped version. It
is my understanding that Allegro was the first to license the Merckx name.
> Bill Curtis
> Costa mesa, CA"
there's more to read if you search "allegro" at search.bikelist.org...maybe you can give Craig Griffith a shout about his catalog.

ingebar

No, I hadn't come across that yet. Thanks for the tip! I stayed up way too late last night reading ancient posts back from the dawn of the internet... I see I have the "cheapie" version (but that suits me just fine). That catalog is sounding definitely like it will be worth tracking down.

unworthy1

I emailed Craig to ask if the catalog scan was posted elsewhere and he replied he'd "try to get it to me". So if he does I'll host it somewhere public (with his permission, maybe Mark Bulgier would add it to his big list) and post the link here.

unworthy1

I got a couple pages from Craig Griffiths that show the model that was sold as the "high end" Merckx, and a page showing the cannibal himself riding something...with the implication that he's on an Allegro. Craig says that the Merckx model was just the same as this Campy-equipt in orange, with Merckx decals added. I'll attach those 2 pages here:
Those of you who are true Allegro fans, PM me and I'll tell you about a once-in-a-lifetime chance to (maybe) get a NOS frame from Craig...

cgallegro

Hello, I was in Switzerland in 1976 at the Allegro factory in Marin outside of Neauchatel. I do have the catalog of Merckx on the cover. He licensed Allegro to use his name on some models. If anyone has an interest. contact me at cgallegro@charter.net

Regards Craig

addymerckx

hi, is anybody out there, who can send me this catalogue to my email address ? currently i'm trying to identify an orange cycle from allegro. i would be glad to hear from you. best regards

addy

addymerckx

hey fellows , can anybody of you help me ? this would be sooo nice !