zen4me

So I bought this Mixte frame with the idea of building up to something my girlfriend would enjoy riding (right now she uses my MTB and hates it). It was also my intention to use it as a way to learn some bike mechanicy type skillz. Sadly, neither has come to pass yet. But...I would like to start looking for components and working towards building it up for her.

Some major help would be greatly appreciated as I know I need some new cranks, pedals, bb, etc. and any suggestions are more than welcome.

Thanks!

Pics are here: https://tinyurl.com/4dpzu6

Old Fat Guy

It's a Falcon, not really an Eddy Merckx. I wouldn't put much money into it. It would probably be ok fixed up, along the lines of a Raleigh Grand Prix.

Kommisar89

I'm amazed that Eddie put his name on that! Nothing wrong with the bike but an Eddie Merckx?!! Most have been the agreement he signed with Falcon or something.

zen4me

Thanks for the heads up, I'm not really worried about who's name is on it or not, got the frame rather cheap and wasn't looking to go all out component wise, just need some suggestions.

Old Fat Guy

This was licensed before Eddy built bikes. I think it was part of a sponsorship deal, like a Louison Bobet.

el twe

Even though it's a lower-end frame, it's still an Eddy Merckxte!

MKahrl

It was not sponsorship, more of a licensing deal. Eddy was still racing on bikes made by a variety of frame builders more local to him. He supplied the stickers to Falcon and they built and distributed the bikes. But that doesn't make them bad bikes. Ernie Clements was a well respected bike designer and their bikes were competitive with other production bike makers. There are various levels of these early 70's era Eddy Merckx bikes that correspond to the Falcons built for various price points. The higher levels included 531DB with fully Campy equipment. I would doubt anyone here would turn their nose up to such a find.

Given all that, this is a lower end frame and not in very good cosmetic shape. Not many women like bicycles as gifts that look like they've been dragged behind a truck. There are intact bicycles with mixte frames that will cost you less then it will to get this one on the road unrestored.

Old Fat Guy

Not the same. Same Falcon decal, not same frame. Look at the seat stays.

trevor_birba

the headbadge makes it. awesome.

gr23932

I thought I post this since the conversation is about Eddy Merckx bikes before he started building his. This one was made by Kessels. It looked super sweet and in person I bet it looked even better.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting

evwxxx

For the restore, need to change out the crank for a nice alloy cotterless unit, probably an SR, Sugino, or somesuch, not too much expense there. BB spindle will need replaced to one that accepts cotterless crank, Sugino #3 or #5 depending on current spindle length. Pedals need replaced, KKT are a good fairly inexpensive option. Wheels are available on ebay, need to be alloy (weinmans or araya with any alloy hub should do), a nice japanese derailler set, particularly some variety of Suntour, would work nice, brakes can be centerpull or sidepull, lots of weinman, diacompe, etc choices out there, just make sure you get good pads (koolstop salmon colored ones will do). Need to decide if you want drop bars or the more horizontal ones that many women prefer. That will determine which brake levers you need. Seat should be a nice one, Brooks is nice but pricy, lots of womens specific saddles out there with groves and padding and what-not on them, Lots of pieces to acquire here, cost is going to be upwards of $200 or more eventually, just for the parts, I would wager. This "frame only" sort of deal generally works best with us "collectors" who have drawers full of parts already, scavenged off who knows how many bikes, that are readily available for building up something like this. If it was a true "Mixte" frame I would be more inclined to suggest rebuilding it, but unfortunately it does not even qualify under that account.