I've been sick all day, just barely enough energy to sit up (sometimes). I think I'm over the worst of it. You know how you start doing loopy things when you can't do much else? I spent part of the day looking over Eddy Merckx catalogs, pictures, etc. on the web. I'm an absolute tyro where this bike is concerned, and I noticed an '85 with internal cable routing (early, but not out of line...) Then I noticed an '85 with top tube cable routing (same model). Then, I decided I'd get serious and figure out the stylistic differences.

Can't do it. I have an 86-87. It has top tube cable eyes. I see a '90 with internal cable routing, in and out under the top tube. I see a 91 with internal cable routing under at the front, and above near the seat. I see a 91 with top tube cable eyes. All of these bikes were Corsa Extras!

So...was this optional or something?

More than likely.

I think it was an option since most of my Merckx from 80s and early 90s bikes have TT cable guides. Here a few of mine:
Here is a 1992 Strada:

An 1986 Corsa made of Reynolds 531:

An early Merckx Corsa Extra/Pro??; I think 83/84??

A mid to late 90s 01:

And my 1996/1997 MX Leader:

Now this is an exception: This is my wife's 1985/86? with the internal cable routing on the TT and with over the BB cable routing:


Send an email to cadre.org. He knows alot.

hahaha yeah its a bit confusing , i dont know if it was an option or not , but i have 2 merckx here sme year and one has top tube cable routing eyelets and the other has internal top tube cable routing .insert son the side and exiting point on the top . i have seen alot of merckx and theya re all just a tad bit different in the same year.
now im confused again .
but i love merckx bikes !!
Cheers
T

alrighty, you mighty Merckx masters. A new riddle. could you get any model in any tubing? I see that Grand Prix' were built with 753, but I see the sticker on other models, too (maybe the professional?) Is this right, or am I seeing some sticker art?

Look at the seat stays and forks. There are a lot of 753 decals out there, not so many 753 frames.

ya gotta help me out. How do you tell? (I don't have the bike to check out...)

If you are talking about a newly listed one on a popular auction site, I don't think it is really a 753. If it was, I know a number of folks that would have jumped on the BIN.

The seat stays on every legitimate 753 Merckx do NOT have an engraving on them.

Check out the Gran Prix's on avenar's site:
https://www.cadre.org/Merckx/

bless yer little heart! I'll be anxious to repay the favor someday...

Old fat guy .
that is some good info , thanks for that . i have been wondering about these small indications that make them legit or not !
CHeers
T

That's interesting, all this time I've owned them and this is the first time I've noticed that distinction. You learn something new everyday. Thanks for pointing that out.

@9-14-6

can you be so kind as to post sompictures /links to your Team stuttgart please . thanks
T

Here you go

How about the 753?

yes .. that is lovely . 1cm bigger than mine
so have you built it up once upon a time with a Mavic group .. ir are you just starting the build ?
im building mine now with mavic .


ps th headset was a giev away !
and yes how about the 753
T

My pleasure

Ok, You talked me into it. How much do you want for it?

I bought the 753 GP new around '89 or '90, I can't remember exactly, and I ordered it with the Mavic group. I took the pictures above a few weeks ago when I stripped it and put it back together. A couple of months ago I came across the CE here in Miami from a guy who had that and a Colnago Super? Mexico with a Super Record group.. I bought the Merckx and I called a buddy who had been lusting after a vintage Colnago and he snagged that one. The CE, coincidentally had been built also with an almost complete Mavic group. I couldn't resist the combination.

Here's the Colnago after Rob went at it with a cleaning kit.

so to understand correclty .
you ordered the 753 with the Mavic group .
it take it , this last time your stripped it was for cleaning / repacking etc .and have you built it back up with the same mavic group ?
also do you also have the Mavic group for the Team Stuttgart .
this is just out of couriosuty .

Im building up my team stuttgart with Mavic & Modolo .
Cheers
T

Yep, the 753 I ordered with the Mavic Group and I just took it apart to give it a total going over. The only non-Mavic parts on this bike, and I sort of look for them from time to time, are the seatpost and the brake levers.

The CE was ordered by the original owner (he thinks it was in '89) with the Mavic group as well. That group is slightly different in that the chainrings, brake calipers and brake levers are anodized a bronzish color. The only non-Mavic part on this bike is the seatpost. And yes, I used all the same components. I really like the Mavic stuff. It looks good and works really well.

If you like, I'll take some shots of the completed bikes.

Have you been able to find all the Mavic bits and pieces? They're a little difficult to come by.

@9-14-6
You bikes Sound absolutely beautiful, and look it as well !!
And yes, i agree with you on the mavic components work very well .
especially the rear gear changer ,works a charm !

i would like to see pictures of the bikes fully set up with Mavic , thanks .

the Mavic bits and bobs are a bit difficult to come by. But they do pop up here and there .
and generally with a hefty price tag as well .i have a couple leads on Mavic parts , but the person isnt that easy to get intouch with .
i can try and help you locate something if you would like ?
im looking for a "FD -862" braze-on type.and the "HS- 305" these im hvaing a bit of a hard time in locating .
brake levers seem to be more of them around, and if your looking for SSC brake calipers Total cycling has them new for a price .
brake levers used in good condition i think i can locate for you without a problem , if your interested ?
PM me with a list and model your looking for and i'll see what i can come up with .
now it's time for pictures of the built up bikes if you would be so kind !
Cheers
T

reviving a fairly old thread here, but:

does this go both ways? ie. if you lack the engraving that makes it more likely to be 753 or just if it's 753 it must be missing them? I've just purchased a corsa extra sans the seatstay cap logos, with very similar decals to a 753 merckx (leader maybe) I've seen, but it has no tubing sticker, reynolds or colombus...

Well, I once had a 1997 Strada with the same seatstay/seatcluster as the 753 made out of Columbus "Strada" tubing.

lachy 94 .
post pictures , then its easier to help you .

T

+1