Originally Posted by
CyclesMakaron
OK, one step at a time:
- the original geometry (aggressive) of EMC bicycles is "road racing geo", all frames built before the Century model have it (except Criterium - that is, more or less until the summer of 1988).
- Century model introduced a new geometry (relax) that is just "century geo", it was used as the only one in Century models (653 and TSX), Corsa Extra Max, Mx Leader, Arcobaleno, Corsa Thron, Corsa 01, Strada OS and titanium AX, EX, Titane EM and early alu.
- unusual frames are: Strada produced until 1996 exclusively in "road racing geo" and Corsa Extra (SLX) and Corsa (SL), which were built in both geometries! Hence, the X and C markings apply to "road racing geo," and the XB and CB markings apply to "century geo."
Reynolds tubular frames did not have markings distinguishing the geometry, but all indications are that the Grand Prix model had a "road racing geo", there were Corsa Extra 653 (same geometry) - I have not found a Corsa 531 in this geometry so far (the marking should look like this: CRB).
- the biggest difference between the AX and EX is the use of profiled tubes in the latter. I don't think the AX used any Ti 6/4 parts, while the EX had BB covers and fork/dropouts.
OK, so I misread or misunderstood all of my original understandings. Good to know. Thanks.
I wonder why Eddy decided to switch all of his bikes from a more aggressive to a more relaxed geometry all at once rather than having some of one and others of the other. He must have decided that the more relaxed was better for racing if he put that on the Corsa Extra and Max Leader bikes.
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?), 1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"