So I’m a ways off on getting that Molteni MXL built but I’ve almost got everything together for this one. Just waiting on a few odd bits. So you guys like build threads, here goes! I welcome all comments and input. This is a fun crowd.



This is a 1992/3 frame which I picked up a few months ago. I think it’s barely been ridden. I guess the flat fork crown wasn’t that common at this time. Andy Hampsten’s bike had a flat fork crown, which is kind of cool

Eddy Merckx Motorola Andy Hampsten 1992 - speedbicycles.com

I decided to go with 7700 DA instead of 8-speed 7400. I’m a big fan of the earlier 7-speed 7400 stuff (have it on another bike) but never really liked the first 8-speed STIs or cranks.

Build will be rounded out by Thomson post (my position has crept forward as I’ve gotten older), Concor saddle, King headset, NOS Cinelli Pinocchio stem and one of the new Asian made reissue Giro-D’Italia bars.

Headset is in



Had to use an old trick to keep the Pinocchio stem from scratching the hell out of the bars





Managed to accidentally leave the housing stops I was gonna use on a frame I gave away (d’oh!) and while I wait for new ones to show up, I've started to rethink the whole STI vs DT shifter thing. Kinda torn… What would you guys do?



Also, I forgot how complex the 7700 bb is (kind of a fan of the no-brainer UN-71-style bbs). Might make for an interesting combo with the Italian thread bbs...

Really fun, looks beautiful.

You don't fool around with nice builds!

I would go STIs versus DTs on this build.

The groupset you have assembled is one of my favs and is a joy to use with STIs.

Looks to be a fun build. I sold the same frame (much smaller) earlirr this year. It had DA 7400 with STIs on it before I stripped it down. I love the Motorola team colors. Enjoy the build!

How's that build coming?

I've gotta say, that frameset is the stuff dreams are made of! It's hard to believe there are still any Merckx's of that vintage that still look so new.

7700 was Shimano's big push to lighten their STI gruppo, it's good stuff.

Nothing handles better than a Merckx, and their color schemes are the best!

Most excellent.
I love SLX Corsa Extra, I can image TSX is stiffer with same wonderful handling.

Hey all,

Old thread I know but need some info. I got handed a Motorola EM team bike to clean up and would like to know if the SN tells who the bike was meant for?

It DA 7402 with DT shifters mostly. I would post pics but do not have the shop owners permission yet.

Any help much appreciated!

Go STI, especially since you already have them. It fits the era of the bike and the ease of use is significant. I think you'll regret having to redo cables and bars everything once you get your cable stops.

Pinocchio! I had the 3ttt branded version of that on my bianchi TSX. Be sure to put adequate grease on the threads of the red cap, or you'll end up drilling a hole big enough for a 6mm through the top to remove the stem. :-( (If I remember right it's aluminum with a very small 4mm or less size removal.