Eddy Merckx Professional frame 1981
01-29-17, 03:48 PM
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Eddy Merckx Professional frame 1981
Eddy Merckx Professional frame 1981
Priced at $400. Worth $300?
https://madison.craigslist.org/bik/5978160239.html
Priced at $400. Worth $300?
https://madison.craigslist.org/bik/5978160239.html
01-29-17, 06:24 PM
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Yes, if a 54cm CTC frame fits you, $300 would be an appropriate FMV for that frame.
Columbus SL, over the BB cable routing, signature flat fork crown are all desireable. I'd suggest taking a close look at the minor dent, but if you're going to have it painted anyway, that's an easy fill.
Columbus SL, over the BB cable routing, signature flat fork crown are all desireable. I'd suggest taking a close look at the minor dent, but if you're going to have it painted anyway, that's an easy fill.
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01-30-17, 06:57 AM
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I would think that is definitely worth the $300...maybe even the $400...dependent on the dent, etc.
01-30-17, 09:44 AM
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I think that's worth $400 unless the seat stay turns out to be bent. Bottom bracket and headset would cost you at least $75 total and the headset has two of the coveted Campy engraved spacers. The seat bolt looks like it has Pinarello branding. If that was local and my size I'd get it. I like the color too.
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01-30-17, 09:49 AM
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If you're going to repaint it, there's no way in the world I'd fork over $400.
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01-30-17, 12:02 PM
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Personally, I'd just pass. Is it worth 300-400? Maybe. It's still an early Merckx, but those aren't THAT uncommon, it's not one of the horizontal script models and it looks very rough.
Nesteel is right...you'll have far more in restoration costs than the bike is worth...and you're putting money into a dented frame that will always take a major hit on value because of the dent.
Nesteel is right...you'll have far more in restoration costs than the bike is worth...and you're putting money into a dented frame that will always take a major hit on value because of the dent.
01-30-17, 12:14 PM
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personally, i'd just pass. Is it worth 300-400? Maybe. It's still an early merckx, but those aren't that uncommon, it's not one of the horizontal script models and it looks very rough.
Nesteel is right...you'll have far more in restoration costs than the bike is worth...and you're putting money into a dented frame that will always take a major hit on value because of the dent.
Nesteel is right...you'll have far more in restoration costs than the bike is worth...and you're putting money into a dented frame that will always take a major hit on value because of the dent.
01-30-17, 03:37 PM
#8
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If it's what you want, I'd say it's worth $300, but I wouldn't spend any more than that on it.
Also I don't see any need to repaint it.
Also I don't see any need to repaint it.
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01-30-17, 09:48 PM
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Yes, if a 54cm CTC frame fits you, $300 would be an appropriate FMV for that frame.
Columbus SL, over the BB cable routing, signature flat fork crown are all desireable. I'd suggest taking a close look at the minor dent, but if you're going to have it painted anyway, that's an easy fill.
Columbus SL, over the BB cable routing, signature flat fork crown are all desireable. I'd suggest taking a close look at the minor dent, but if you're going to have it painted anyway, that's an easy fill.
01-30-17, 10:07 PM
#11
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I appreciate all of your responses. If I pull the trigger on buying it, I probably would not repaint it. The dent may be a deal breaker.
How does a Professional compare to a Corsa Extra or other EM models?
How does a Professional compare to a Corsa Extra or other EM models?
01-30-17, 11:57 PM
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...I forget exactly which was which, but the essential differences in geometry that unfolded over the Merckx steel bike lineup were between the slightly steeper full race geometries, and those with slightly more relaxed angles and longer to tubes that were labeled Century.
I'm not 100% sure if there is much difference between a Corsa and a Professional, geometry wise. I have a couple in the garage, and I still don't really understand any differences in hierarchy other than that Century line being designed for longer distance riding so that you don't get beat up by the bike.
...I forget exactly which was which, but the essential differences in geometry that unfolded over the Merckx steel bike lineup were between the slightly steeper full race geometries, and those with slightly more relaxed angles and longer to tubes that were labeled Century.
I'm not 100% sure if there is much difference between a Corsa and a Professional, geometry wise. I have a couple in the garage, and I still don't really understand any differences in hierarchy other than that Century line being designed for longer distance riding so that you don't get beat up by the bike.
01-30-17, 11:59 PM
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02-01-17, 07:04 AM
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Great frame. The early frames were made under heavy mentorship from De Rosa and should be a great ride.
I have almost the exact same frame, the paint is in worse condition but I don't see any reason for a repaint - same with yours. The cost would be as much as the frame is worth and will not add the same, if anything in value. It just means it's not too precious to ride like it's meant to be ridden!
$300 would be a good deal.
$400 is fair if the dent doesn't put you off
I have almost the exact same frame, the paint is in worse condition but I don't see any reason for a repaint - same with yours. The cost would be as much as the frame is worth and will not add the same, if anything in value. It just means it's not too precious to ride like it's meant to be ridden!
$300 would be a good deal.
$400 is fair if the dent doesn't put you off
02-01-17, 09:19 AM
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There aren't a whole lot of examples of Merckx catalogs on the web and I haven't been able to find one that lists both the Pro and Corsa. I have an '85 whose BB stamp labels it as a Pro, made of Reynolds 753, and looks like the one on the far right in this catalog, but it's lined up with the Corsas and Corsas Extra
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalog..._merckx3/4.jpg
I suspect the Pro was the name applied to the race frame (much like other makers called their race frames) and this morphed into the labeled Corsa model as Merck branched out into different tube sets, geometries i.e. The Strada, Century, Criterium. This is conjecture on my part and I haven't had the opportunity to own a Corsa yet.
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalog..._merckx3/4.jpg
I suspect the Pro was the name applied to the race frame (much like other makers called their race frames) and this morphed into the labeled Corsa model as Merck branched out into different tube sets, geometries i.e. The Strada, Century, Criterium. This is conjecture on my part and I haven't had the opportunity to own a Corsa yet.
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02-01-17, 01:55 PM
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Personally, I'd just pass. Is it worth 300-400? Maybe. It's still an early Merckx, but those aren't THAT uncommon, it's not one of the horizontal script models and it looks very rough.
Nesteel is right...you'll have far more in restoration costs than the bike is worth...and you're putting money into a dented frame that will always take a major hit on value because of the dent.
Nesteel is right...you'll have far more in restoration costs than the bike is worth...and you're putting money into a dented frame that will always take a major hit on value because of the dent.
If the dent to which he refers is the mark on the DS seat stay (photo 8), I wouldn't worry. But because I like to haggle, I'd try to see if I could get him down to $350, maybe a little less. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Has the makings of a very nice bike.
I also note the Portacatena-drilled rear dropout. I wonder if that would help dating this?
OP: I wouldn't be so quick to pass on this. At least satisfy your curiosity regarding the dent.
If not, hmmm, wonder if a facilitation....? No, must not buy any more bikes
Edit: I also note the Pinarello-engraved seat binder bolt. You may recoup some coin on Ebay with that. I, too, like the fact that you've already got a BB and HS - and the HS has a spare spacer, as noted, that will also bring in some pennies were you to put it on Ebay. Again, don't be so quick to discount this bad boy.
DD
Last edited by Drillium Dude; 02-01-17 at 01:58 PM.
02-01-17, 11:44 PM
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I dunno - after checking out the pics, I wouldn't personally consider it all that rough. In fact, it's nicer than a lot of stuff showing up here. Not even a decent-sized mark from a front brake smack.
If the dent to which he refers is the mark on the DS seat stay (photo 8), I wouldn't worry. But because I like to haggle, I'd try to see if I could get him down to $350, maybe a little less. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Has the makings of a very nice bike.
I also note the Portacatena-drilled rear dropout. I wonder if that would help dating this?
OP: I wouldn't be so quick to pass on this. At least satisfy your curiosity regarding the dent.
If not, hmmm, wonder if a facilitation....? No, must not buy any more bikes
Edit: I also note the Pinarello-engraved seat binder bolt. You may recoup some coin on Ebay with that. I, too, like the fact that you've already got a BB and HS - and the HS has a spare spacer, as noted, that will also bring in some pennies were you to put it on Ebay. Again, don't be so quick to discount this bad boy.
DD
If the dent to which he refers is the mark on the DS seat stay (photo 8), I wouldn't worry. But because I like to haggle, I'd try to see if I could get him down to $350, maybe a little less. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Has the makings of a very nice bike.
I also note the Portacatena-drilled rear dropout. I wonder if that would help dating this?
OP: I wouldn't be so quick to pass on this. At least satisfy your curiosity regarding the dent.
If not, hmmm, wonder if a facilitation....? No, must not buy any more bikes
Edit: I also note the Pinarello-engraved seat binder bolt. You may recoup some coin on Ebay with that. I, too, like the fact that you've already got a BB and HS - and the HS has a spare spacer, as noted, that will also bring in some pennies were you to put it on Ebay. Again, don't be so quick to discount this bad boy.
DD
02-02-17, 12:57 AM
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Perhaps 1981 was the year it was first purchased...?
02-02-17, 08:45 AM
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If you can get it for $300, I say grab it, I love my Merckx bikes, the quality of the worksmanship is second to none.
Don't repaint it.
Don't repaint it.
02-02-17, 09:26 AM
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FYI, they've had it up on eBay $500 obo, lotsa watchers but no takers. Almost ended. I would not repaint it either. I think the dent is on the forward side of right chain stay. Mis advertised as SLX.
1980 second gen Eddy Merckx Professional Columbus SLX Campagnolo Super Record | eBay
1980 second gen Eddy Merckx Professional Columbus SLX Campagnolo Super Record | eBay
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
02-02-17, 10:25 PM
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Still up, and the dent is quite visible in the pic of the underside of the drive-side SEAT stay just below the cap. Looks kinda deep to me...
02-02-17, 11:15 PM
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Yes I mis typed - seat stay.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
02-05-17, 11:18 AM
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I appreciate all of the advice on this thread.
I looked at it yesterday. The frame is very clean and the paint looks great.
As for the dent, it is probably 5 mm wide without any cracks. The rear dropouts are 2 mm out of alignment.
The seller dropped the price a bit. I was thinking of having a LBS check out the dent next.
I looked at it yesterday. The frame is very clean and the paint looks great.
As for the dent, it is probably 5 mm wide without any cracks. The rear dropouts are 2 mm out of alignment.
The seller dropped the price a bit. I was thinking of having a LBS check out the dent next.