Hit by a Car: Now What?
 

Yesterday, I was hit by a car. I'm banged up, but no broken bones. My Eddy Merckx Cosa 0.1, on the other hand, is in a bad way, and will have to be replaced.

If I could find a 60cm NOS Corsa 0.1, that would be what I would want. Given the low probability of finding one in a reasonable time, if ever, I'll have to decide on an alternative. The problem is that I never owned anything else as beautiful or as perfectly suited to me as my Merckx, and I have no idea what sort of bike to consider. I just have this dread that anything else is going to feel like something less, even if it costs more. Any opinions on what currently available bikes might be as comfortable, laterally stiff, light, and beautiful as the Corsa 0.1?

Too bad about the you and the bike. There are probably lots of good alternative bikes. What size do you need? There is probably a bike with the same or close geometry around to suit your particular needs.

So very glad you didn't suffer any serious injury but...how did you get hit? Do you want to share any details? Have you spoken to the driver?

Mike

I was riding with two people I met on the way around Stone Mountain. We were accelerating downhill. A car ahead of us started to turn right into a parking lot, then changed his mind and pulled hard across the road to make a U turn right in front of us. Two of us collided with the car, the third was back far enough to stop in time. The woman that was also hit was seriously injured, and taken away strapped to a back board. In addition to neck and head injuries, her collar bone appeared to be broken. I'm surprised, as well as thankful, that I was not more seriously hurt. Among the reasons I'm surprised is that my chin put a good sized dent in the upper door frame of the car, but I didn't lose any teeth. There were many witnesses, and police and EMTs were on the scene in a few minutes. The driver was clearly remorseful, and his wife was distraught. They seemed like good people, even if he was not a good driver.

Thanks for asking.

I'll be looking for a 60cm or 61cm. I'm sure that just as you say, there are lots of good alternative bikes. I just don't know what they are.

When I bought my Corsa, it was a viable race bike, but it was also comfortable for fast paced centuries and such. Today, it is several pounds heavier than the carbon fiber race bikes that occupy a price class comparable to what I paid for the Merckx. I'm pretty sure that I don't want one of those speedy carbon bikes, because (though I hate to admit it) I'm not very fast any more...and I'll look and feel like a poseur on a 15lb. bike. What I'd like is a bike that is as comfortable, and as fast, as the Corsa, but doesn't scream "Fred" when I get on it. Also, call me a retrogrouch if you like, but I still prefer the look of classic steel...and the Corsa 0.1 was a particularly beautiful bike.

So...who should I look at for a new, (or NOS) lugged, steel racing bike that is not going to be raced, but is going to be ridden as fast as this old engine can make it go?

I don't need a randonneuse or touring bike; I have those. I need a replacement for Eddy that will be as much like Eddy as possible.

I've been researching online, but any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks!

The closest thing to a Merckx would probably be a De Rosa.

GVH has a NOS Neo Primato in a 60cm

http://www.gvhbikes.com/

http://www.gvhbikes.com/photo/DeRosa...PrimatoRed.JPG

How does this one compare?

http://cgi.ebay.com/rare-COLNAGO-MAS...QQcmdZViewItem


http://i20.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/37/0d/9e54_3.JPG

Please contact me ASAP regarding an Eddy replacement...I think I might have something.

Thanks! I didn't know about GVH. The Primato looks like a good possibility.

Remorseful or not, drivers like that need to get the h*&% off the road. As an avid motorcyclist, I have no sympathy for such drivers. This is the typical, pull to the right, then do a U turn in the middle of the street dumb a** move. Seen it many times while riding my motorcycle. Once they start the U turn, if you cannot stop in time, you are screwed, as they pretty much block the entire road.

amen to that.

Have you considered getting the Eddy repaired? My Merckx was crashed & repaired by the previous owner, and I had it checked over when I got it repainted. It rides beautifully. If I were to crash it and damage it again, I'd get it repaired again, unless the damage was so catastrophic that it wouldn't be worthwhile.

sucks about your merckx man. good luck!

+1 on the Neo Primato.... I love mine.

Rashid, at Queens Cycle in South Africa, has a few Corsa 01's left at giveaway prices. I don't know what sizes, but worth a shot. I know a few folks that have bought from him.

http://www.queens.co.za/specials.htm

Yes, that's exactly what happened. And you are absolutely right, it was, and always is, a dumb a** move.

I'm now at the mercy of his insurance company as far as getting a replacement for my Merckx. I won't be at all surprised if his insurance company plays dumb too. "Let's see...it cost $3600 in 1999, so with depreciation...here's a check for $175."

Thank you!! I have emailed Rashid to see if he has any in my size.

How did you know about his having them? I have been searching online and no hits. Well, anyway, however you knew, thanks, Man.

If it were just the fork being bent, I definitely would, but the head tube pushed back into the downtube. I'd be more than extremely surprised if it ever tracked right after that. I don't know...am I wrong about that?

Thanks, TB.

Really nice, but way more flashy than my Merckx.
I have never ridden on a straight blade fork like that one. How does it affect steering and comfort? Any different from traditional curved steel forks?

I was in on a group buy last year, but he didn't have anything that fit me quite right. I know a number of folks who did get a frame from him. Be sure you ask him if the has the correct fork for the frame, if he has one in your size.

The Neo Primato would be very close to your Corsa 0.1. Very similar geometry and tubing, brothers separated at birth, so to speak.

Rashid has only small size Stradas left. Looks like a De Rosa Neo Primato is going to be the way to go.

Thanks, everybody, for the sympathies and information.

Cheers!