There are 2 possibilities:
- this is Corsa in "century geo"
- This is the Corsa Extra SLX with a mistakenly swapped designation X -> C
A safe way to check:
- Do the tube ends visible through the BB cover have "riflings"?
No = Corsa
Yes = Corsa Extra

No riflings visible, so Corsa. Any thoughts on the paint, original versus repaint? Would the Corsa Extra decals be because it has the century geometry, making it better than the standard
Corsa? Date would be end of 1992 roughly? Thanks.

EDIT! I only just a few hours ago found out that you had already seen these numbers via Michael. What I will do in a week (lockdown here at present) is take the digital angle meter and check the angles to confirm the century geometry.

Hi,

This thread is amazing. I need some help about the frame that I acquired a while ago.

I bought the frame from eBay. Seller told me it’s a repaint. I would like to know more about build of this bike.

I found the following inscriptions:
D 2X on the left side
D2217 on the right side
the decal states it’s an SLX

The top cable route is on the side and most of my google search are on the top part of the tube.

thank you for your help.

D2X D2217 - Corsa Extra SLX built in spring 1992
"Cable route" is an extra paid option available
On the steering tube you can sometimes find "old paint" or information on an attached piece of paper

L7CB D3726 is the only frame on which I have seen CB markings... no material to compare frame built in late summer 1992

I can see a little bit of pink paint, I don’t know if it’s the base coating. There’s no piece of paper attached but there’s a marking of a dove with a code D 3. The paint is exactly the same as the team USA color that I found on google.

We'll know soon enough for sure. The standard geometry I see in one of your catalog posts is what a normal Corsa would be? I found this chart of (supposedly) the Merckx Century geometry, does this appear correct to you? Is it correct that the MX Leaders were made with the Century geometry? Regards Sean.

Hello dear friends. Help get information on this bike. 4C D4691

Here’s a quick visual comparison of 58 Race v Century geometries.

I have a Corsa Extra that is made out of Columbus TSX tubes as well, I found it in Belgium.

I think that the Merckx factory would make custom frames quite often, at least for the European market.

My guess is that for the American market, they would just stick to what they had in the catalogue.

Jmsoto - the photos would definitely be useful

geo "road racing" introduced in 1980 and used for at least 15 years; Professional/Corsa, Pro/Corsa Extra, 3-Athlete/Strada models; full table in EMC 1994 catalog (grey cover, Titanal model inside)
"century" geo introduced in 1988, in serial frames used until 2003; models Century, Corsa Max/Mx Leader, Arcobaleno, Corsa Thron, Corsa 01, Corsa Extra, Strada OS , alu frames, titanium frames; your table is "century" geo
"century modified" geo introduced in 2003 for alu frames (elongated TT, no change angles), used until 2008

L4C D4691 - Corsa (Columbus SL) built in October 1992

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Thank you for the information. I used a different translator.

Thank you for the information. I used a different translator.

Sorry. I'm confused and I don't understand, is the Corsa model equal to the Corsa Extra? Is Corsa pipe class lower than Extra? The Corsa in 1992 was called MXL ? Having read a branch of a forum, I was confused. Thank you.

Will post the photo soon. finally got the group set that I need and take it to the bike shop tomorrow.

Relax
Corsa is a basic model (Columbus SL/SP or Reynolds 531 tubes)
Corsa Extra is a higher model (SLX/SPX, TSX, Max or Reynolds 753 tubes)
Mx Leader is the highest model, created from the development of the Corsa Extra Max model (Columbus Mxl tube).

Thank you so much. It is very intelligible clarified. Appreciate you.

thanks for the reponse

thanks for the response

Please help id this Merckx frame. It has these markings under the bottom bracket shell ?is this a Strada ? Thanks
4x A 7545

If it is 4X A7545 = Corsa Extra SLX 1988
If it is A4X 7545 = Corsa Extra SLX 19?

The 4x and the A are on the left side of the shell when looking at it with the bike upside down and the 7545 is on the right so i think it is4x A 7545 ? Thanks for your expertise.

By the serial number (7545) you should find the letter designation of the series (Z, A, B etc.).
the photo will help

Got this frame a while ago. Finally was able to complete the group set. Just picked this bike from the bike shop few days ago. Here is a photo.



Here is the photo

This is a painting pattern (very rare) from 1992-1993, reportedly shown in the EMC 1993 catalogue (GITA)