Barchettaman

Apologies to Herr Haritz for the spelling mistake.

Some quick photos:



















Apologies for the poor camera work, I broke my hand in a commuting accident on Friday.

Barchettaman

I should also add that I wonīt be aiming for a period correct build with this frame.

Although I have maximum respect for those who enjoy riding vintage componentry I just canīt get myself excited about it in the same way as I do with a really good vintage steel frame.

As long as it all works nicely together Iīm not bothered about mixing and matching groupsets and even manufacturers.

Having said that, this frame might be getting a slightly nicer build than planned, bearing in mind its apparent provenance.

The bottom line is I just want to build it up with STIs and then ride the absolute crap out of it.

tarwheel 

That's one of my favorite Merckx color schemes. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that color scheme was for the Panasonic cycling team. Should make a very nice bike. I rode a Merckx Corsa 01 for many years as well as an AX. Very nice riding and handling frames.

Barchettaman

First problem.
the drive side rear dropout has had a bang, it is now only 9.05mm wide at the end of the claw so I can't get a back wheel in.
It looks like standard 126mm spacing.
it looks like I will be taking it to the LBS to get that dropout sorted.
whilst there I'll get the BB chased and faces, and have the alignment checked! It looks like Italian threading.
I'll be using a Hollowtech crankset with external cups for reasons I'll go into later!

Barchettaman

Minor update.

The frame has been thoroughly degreased, cleaned, and sealed with an automotive LSP (Bilt Hamber Autobalm). Itīs come up very nicely indeed, barring the many paint chips which TBH Iīm not bothered about. Iīve wasted enough of my life with nail polish on bike frames.

We have DT cable stops (apologies for the carpet:



A Tiagra external bottom bracket and a Tiagra-level (R600) compact crankset, in rather nice condition, and a new Tiagra FD:





A cheap Ritchey headset:



The stack height of this headset is a little short so I will be raiding the parts bin of the LBS for a spacer or two. Otherwise it seems OK, at least for €7 it does!

Some 40mm deep aluminium clinchers (Felt TTR4s) with the decals removed:



Thatīs it for now. Next stop is the LBS to get the alignment checked and the bent DS dropout claw, erm, īunbentī.

Thanks for looking,
Simon

f1russgp

Gentlemen I have a long standing love affair with 1980s Merckx slx corsa extra frames.I went to Belgium(I used to live in England)so not too far,and boght a team 7-eleven race used slx,I think it was built for Ron Kiefel,and built it up with Dura Ace 7400 sti 8 speed and later added HED tri spokes to it,not only do I love ripping around in cat3 races on it but I get some great looks from my fellow racers and general bike geeks ohh also had it stolen and then got it back 6 months later DESTINY

CrankyFranky

Good luck with the rear dropout.

Gary Fountain

It's coming together nicely. I don't think the dropout will be a problem for the bike shop. In the past I've brazed two broken RH rear dropouts together - strangely enough on both on Pinarello Cromor frames - and they've stood the test of time. I've also opened-up dropouts with similar problems to yours without any bad consequences.

Barchettaman

I carefully reset the rear dropout with the handle of a big old benchtop clamp. Worked beautifully! I have to confess I was more than a bit nervous as I applied some pressure but all was good. The dropout claws now have matching internal dimensions and the rear wheel slots in OK (spacing is 126mm so I have to widen it out a bit for the 130mm rear, no biggie).

I'm still looking for a RH STi shifter at a reasonable price. I might end up going with a matching pair of 2014 Sora 9-speed, as they're black, reasonably cheap and work beautifully. I can hear the odd howl of derision at the thought of putting Sora on this frame but honestly, the latest stuff is really, really good.

The other slightly weird thing that's going on this frame is an Origin8 quill stem with a 31.8mm oversized clamp. I want to use some wide cyclocross shallow-drop bars from the parts bin so I thought i would give it a try.

It's not particularly elegant but it will get the contact points exactly where I need them:

Origin8 Pro Fit ATB Quill Stem - 1" (22.2) 90 x 31.8mm, Black

Barchettaman

Still hoping to get a pantographed Merckx stem, a RH 9-speed Shimano STI of some description, and sheīll be done.

The groupset is mostly Tiagra, decals were removed with acetone.

Barchettaman

Belated update.



Pantographed stem finally found and purchased in the correct length.

JagWire shift/brake cable set purchased.

Chain is on.

STI shifters have arrived.

The handlebar I have already on hand.

Once the Merckx stem arrives, Iīll build the buggar up.

Barchettaman

Well, the bloody stem is a Cinelli 26.4mm and none of my handlebars fit. So itīs either a beer can shim - which I donīt want to do - or find a set of Cinelli bars, which wonīt have my preferred ergo drop. Grr.

Barchettaman

Right.

Build finished. My Lumix bridge camera has decided it wants to stop fucussing correctly so apologies for the crappy photos. For some reason it worked a bit better with the washing machine behind the bike.







Full stats:

Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, 59cm, Columbus SLX, ex-Günther Haritz (Olympic 4 man pursuit champion 1972)
Headset: Ritchey
Stem: Cinelli pantoīd Merckx
Bars: Cinelli Eubios 26.4mm
Tape: Easton
Cables/Housing: Jagwire Pro Racer
BB: Tiagra
Crankset: Tiagra 50/34
RD: 105
FD: Tiagra
Brakes: Tiagra dual pivot
Chain: SRAM 9-speed
Cassette: Tiagra 12-30
Pedals: LOOK Keo
Bottle cages: Cheap Chinese blue & white jobbies
STI shifters: Sora 2x9 with the proper paddles
Wheelset: Felt TTR4
Tyres: Schwalbe Blizzard 622/25
Seatpost: random aluminium
Saddle: Brooks Professional
Binder bolt: Decathlon cheapie

tarwheel 

They just don't make bikes anymore with cool color schemes like the 1980s Merckx models. Unless you custom, I guess. I have my preferences -- and this scheme is one of my favorites -- but they are all nice looking.

icepick_trotsky 

Looks great. I love my SLX bike, so I'm sure you'll enjoy this one. Any reason you went with the Brooks instead of the Rolls?

Barchettaman

Trotsky, I picked up the Brooks ridiculously cheaply so am going to break it in and see how I get on with it.

i didn't like the B-17 narrow I had on the Olmo 1989 Anniversary, let's see if this is any better.

The Rolls is still in the parts bin. It's ok, I don't dislike it, but I might prefer the old Turbo saddle on my Velo Cheapo more.... Sit bones are weird and unpredictable things! I might end up going with a modern SQ Lab 611 on there, which are very highly thought of here in Germany. Besically the quest for the perfect racing bike saddle continues....

repechage

This is Merckx oriented:

Eddy ? Ickx | charliecycles54

icepick_trotsky 

I've had a hard time getting comfortable on my Rolls, too. I might switch it out for a Regal, which I've never tried.

Barchettaman

Repechage, thanks for posting.

Thereīs a lot of wisdom in those wrinkles.

Barchettaman

Some better photos. A bit of free time from work coincided with some rather glorious weather:

lotekmod

Nice Merckx! I just had my Corsa Extra out last weekend on an early morning ride before the traffic picks up. I took it down the steepest, windiest road in my area which also happens to be a bit rough from the winter. I probably hit 40-45mph (don't have a computer) which is fast for me. I was white knuckled on the way down and laughing my a** off on the way back up. I love that bike! It feels a bit twitchy to me at slow speeds but gets more and more stable the faster you go. A good problem to have.

Good luck with yours! FWIW, the Rolls I have on my Merckx is one of the most comfortable saddles I've ridden. Different strokes...

ChicagoGOBLUE

Beautiful!!

himespau 

Late posting to this thread, but I just saw it as you linked to it in another thread. Wow, that's a beautiful bike. And I'm glad you didn't stick with that origin 8 stem as the Cinelli is o much prettier.

Barchettaman

Thanks, glad you like it.

Itīs certainly proved to be an enjoyable ībestī bike and Iīm certainly not going to part with it.

That Origin8 stem is on my commuter, so it wasnīt a completely useless purchase. It was definitely too ugly for the Merckx and the pantoīed stem adds a touch of class I think.

There is a new(ish) option for oversized bars on a quill stem, itīs made by Factory 5, looks good, but costs a bloody fortune:



The Nitto UI-12 is also available:

himespau 

That Factory5 is a beauty. I wish more quil stems came with removable faceplates. The nitto is nice but more industrial looking.