Decoding of Eddy Merckx frames
#1051
Steel is real

Joined: May 2016
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
Bikes: 40 - accumulated over (now - more than) 40 years
#1052
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 11
Likes: 4
Hi, I recently acquired an Eddy Merckx Alu Mega and while I realise this is much younger than most bikes in this thread but its size has been torturing me. It sits between a 53 and a 54 from my measurements and according to the sizes I've seen from catalogues. While researching I stumbled upon this thread. I don't think I can post pictures yet since I haven't gone through the 10 posts needed to post pictures. So until I get there, and while hoping I can dig a little further myself tomorrow, here is the information I've gathered on the bike : horizontally, it is written G 7033 and vertically I can read out 97 2223. I expect to see a size under the cable guide as what's written vertically is "quite" close to it but I don't have access to anything to remove it until tomorrow. Does anyone have insights into how I could absolutely tell the size of my bike ?
#1054
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 11
Likes: 4
ah alright, because I saw sifting through the catalogues that when they weren't special order, EM bikes came in even + 53, 55 and 57 (?). I couldn't see the Alu Mega explicitly being only even sizes, so I assumed it was possible it was a 53 still.
To get more on topic, from reading the thread it looks like it's a late 97 (according to the vertical sn)/early 98(according to the EMC sn), is that correct ?
EDIT : the greater idea about the size was to be able to follow the catalogues' size chart to be able to figure out seat tube/head tube angles. according to them, a 54 measures 54,8cm on the top tube and 73,3° seat tube angle (which I assume to be the same for the head tube)
To get more on topic, from reading the thread it looks like it's a late 97 (according to the vertical sn)/early 98(according to the EMC sn), is that correct ?
EDIT : the greater idea about the size was to be able to follow the catalogues' size chart to be able to figure out seat tube/head tube angles. according to them, a 54 measures 54,8cm on the top tube and 73,3° seat tube angle (which I assume to be the same for the head tube)
Last edited by louison; 09-27-24 at 03:31 AM.
#1056
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 151
Likes: 100
From: NorCal
ah alright, because I saw sifting through the catalogues that when they weren't special order, EM bikes came in even + 53, 55 and 57 (?). I couldn't see the Alu Mega explicitly being only even sizes, so I assumed it was possible it was a 53 still.
To get more on topic, from reading the thread it looks like it's a late 97 (according to the vertical sn)/early 98(according to the EMC sn), is that correct ?
EDIT : the greater idea about the size was to be able to follow the catalogues' size chart to be able to figure out seat tube/head tube angles. according to them, a 54 measures 54,8cm on the top tube and 73,3° seat tube angle (which I assume to be the same for the head tube)
To get more on topic, from reading the thread it looks like it's a late 97 (according to the vertical sn)/early 98(according to the EMC sn), is that correct ?
EDIT : the greater idea about the size was to be able to follow the catalogues' size chart to be able to figure out seat tube/head tube angles. according to them, a 54 measures 54,8cm on the top tube and 73,3° seat tube angle (which I assume to be the same for the head tube)
#1057
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I picked up an early bare metal frameset with a BB shell/fork like this one. It's been stripped from a blue at least around the bb. I would love any help with identification, though I know it's a 58.
My BB numbers are:
Left: A 8
Right: E 4466
Thanks and GL to any cx racers out here,
John
#1059
Junior Member


Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 79
Bikes: 1968 R.E.W. Reynolds Touring 1981 Eisentraut Model A 1983 Specialized Expedition 1985 Merckx Professional 1986 Tommasini Racing 1986 Merckx Team Panasonic Corsa Extra 1989 Basso Ascot 1989 Sancineto Max Jim RedCay
Help decoding this Merckx
Does anyone know what type of Merckx framework this is and from what year?
Left Down A only- no other markings
Right up X
Right down 4814
Bike has red/pearl fade with number hangar.
Thanks!
Left Down A only- no other markings
Right up X
Right down 4814
Bike has red/pearl fade with number hangar.
Thanks!
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#1060
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 79
Bikes: 1968 R.E.W. Reynolds Touring 1981 Eisentraut Model A 1983 Specialized Expedition 1985 Merckx Professional 1986 Tommasini Racing 1986 Merckx Team Panasonic Corsa Extra 1989 Basso Ascot 1989 Sancineto Max Jim RedCay







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#1061
Junior Member


Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 79
Bikes: 1968 R.E.W. Reynolds Touring 1981 Eisentraut Model A 1983 Specialized Expedition 1985 Merckx Professional 1986 Tommasini Racing 1986 Merckx Team Panasonic Corsa Extra 1989 Basso Ascot 1989 Sancineto Max Jim RedCay
One last thing, a faint Columbus stamping was found on the backside of the head tube...not sure if this matters in the id'ing of this frame, but i found it odd.




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#1062
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 939
Likes: 415
Frame built in late fall of 1985. Brake bridge used on Professional model, type inscription EDDY MERCKX matches Pro model. The only way to resolve doubts is to check the tube ends visible through the BB cover.
#1063
Junior Member


Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 79
Bikes: 1968 R.E.W. Reynolds Touring 1981 Eisentraut Model A 1983 Specialized Expedition 1985 Merckx Professional 1986 Tommasini Racing 1986 Merckx Team Panasonic Corsa Extra 1989 Basso Ascot 1989 Sancineto Max Jim RedCay
Thank your the the info. Dropouts are campagnolo as well. I will be removing bottom bracket and posting pictures shortly. can I ask what the main difference is between the Professional and Pro?
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#1065
Junior Member

Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 120
Likes: 39
From: Sydney, Australia
Bikes: Bianchi Specialissima, Trek Fuel EX9.8, 1985 Clamont Professional, 1979 Gios Torino Super Record, Colnago C40 Lampre Panaria Team Frame, Colnago C50 World Champion Edition, 1983 Cinelli Supercorsa, Colnago EPQ, Colnago EPS


If I’m correct,
Professional Columbus SL
A - Employee
4? - 64cm !!
E8501 - 198?
Thanks for this page, invaluable.
#1070
Junior Member


Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 79
Bikes: 1968 R.E.W. Reynolds Touring 1981 Eisentraut Model A 1983 Specialized Expedition 1985 Merckx Professional 1986 Tommasini Racing 1986 Merckx Team Panasonic Corsa Extra 1989 Basso Ascot 1989 Sancineto Max Jim RedCay
So after teardown and rebuild, i could not see rifling in the seat tube (not to say its not there, I jay couldn't see more than 1-2 inches up from bb shell), however fork definitely does have rifling. Could the pro have sl tubing for frame and slx for fork. Fork is original to bike. Frame size is 57 cm tt c-c. Thoughts?
Last edited by sillverchevy; 02-06-25 at 06:15 PM.
#1071
So after teardown and rebuild, i could not see rifling in the seat tube (not to say its not there, I jay couldn't see more than 1-2 inches up from bb shell), however fork definitely does have rifling. Could the pro have sl tubing for frame and slx for fork. Fork is original to bike. Frame size is 57 cm tt c-c. Thoughts?
SLX and SPX tubesets have rifling at the bb shell end of the seat tube, down tube and chainstays. The rifling is pretty obvious, much like in the fork steerer, if you can’t see any the frame isn’t SLX/SPX.
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Nothing quite says wall hanger like drillium toe straps
Nothing quite says wall hanger like drillium toe straps
Last edited by seagrade; 02-06-25 at 10:28 PM.
#1072
Junior Member


Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 79
Bikes: 1968 R.E.W. Reynolds Touring 1981 Eisentraut Model A 1983 Specialized Expedition 1985 Merckx Professional 1986 Tommasini Racing 1986 Merckx Team Panasonic Corsa Extra 1989 Basso Ascot 1989 Sancineto Max Jim RedCay
By the mid/late 1980s all Columbus fork steerers including and above Cromor had helical reinforcements. Whether the box the tube set came out of said SL or SLX the fork steerer and blades were identical in specification (as were the fork blade decals, as best as I can recall, with only the larger frame tubing decal differing).
SLX and SPX tubesets have rifling at the bb shell end of the seat tube, down tube and chainstays. The rifling is pretty obvious, much like in the fork steerer, if you can’t see any the frame isn’t SLX/SPX.
SLX and SPX tubesets have rifling at the bb shell end of the seat tube, down tube and chainstays. The rifling is pretty obvious, much like in the fork steerer, if you can’t see any the frame isn’t SLX/SPX.
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#1074
Thread readers and monitor,
I'm curious about the Merckx Corsa 01 that I purchased decades ago but just rebuilt.
On the BB there is an H to the drive side and to the non-drive side there is F 8556.
The frame was sold to me as a NOS respray in the early 2000s.
Still a Newbie so can't post photos yet...
Any info would be appreciated.
Thank you
I'm curious about the Merckx Corsa 01 that I purchased decades ago but just rebuilt.
On the BB there is an H to the drive side and to the non-drive side there is F 8556.
The frame was sold to me as a NOS respray in the early 2000s.
Still a Newbie so can't post photos yet...
Any info would be appreciated.
Thank you
Last edited by lebonfrago; 03-07-25 at 02:30 PM. Reason: add info



