Is a Merckx corsa a good frame?
04-10-09 | 08:20 PM
#1
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From: Colorado
Is a Merckx corsa a good frame?
I've got a 1989 Trek 1500 that's dieing. I'm looking for a frame to put all my components on. There's a '85 Eddie Merckx corsa on ebay and I'm wondering if that would be a good match for the 600/ultegra stuff on my bike. Would this be really heavy? I have picked up steel bikes that were lighter than my aluminum 1500 but those were modern frames and parts. I like to pretend I'm fast and don't want a boat anchor.
04-10-09 | 08:34 PM
#3
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
ANY Merckx is a good frame, as long as it's not all bent to hell.
04-10-09 | 08:51 PM
#5
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There are a few Merckx Corsa frames up on eBay at the moment. The Merckx Corsa frames were built with Columbus SL tubing, the Corsa Extra frames with Columbus SLX tubing. That's the main difference
I would say that either model is deserving of Ultegra/Dura Ace, or Chorus/Record level components.
Be advised that a good specimen will fetch top dollar, but also offer a ride to last a lifetime. I have a couple of Merckx Professional frames, both slightly older than Corsa/Corsa Extras, and with slightly different geometry. I ride them often, and the some of the best handling/comfortable frames I've had the pleasure of riding.
The man didn't put his name on them as a licensing deal, he owned the factory and was deeply involved in the manufacturing process.
He just recently sold the factory, and is retiring to Canada, to be close to his grandchildren, is my understanding.
What size are you looking at? I may have a very special Merckx for sale in a few months.
I would say that either model is deserving of Ultegra/Dura Ace, or Chorus/Record level components.
Be advised that a good specimen will fetch top dollar, but also offer a ride to last a lifetime. I have a couple of Merckx Professional frames, both slightly older than Corsa/Corsa Extras, and with slightly different geometry. I ride them often, and the some of the best handling/comfortable frames I've had the pleasure of riding.
The man didn't put his name on them as a licensing deal, he owned the factory and was deeply involved in the manufacturing process.
He just recently sold the factory, and is retiring to Canada, to be close to his grandchildren, is my understanding.
What size are you looking at? I may have a very special Merckx for sale in a few months.
04-10-09 | 08:53 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 24
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From: Colorado
Ok, I guess that says about what I need to know.
Maybe I should add this-I got this Trek last year and I LOVE riding it. I'm afraid to buy a used AL frame because I don't want to go through the frame search again when another one dies. So I'm looking at older steel frames. Mostly what I know about steel frames is what I remember about about the bicycles I rode when I was a young kid (pre driving) and those things wieghed and drove like a '70 impala.
So yeah, serious, but low on bicycle knowedge.
Maybe I should add this-I got this Trek last year and I LOVE riding it. I'm afraid to buy a used AL frame because I don't want to go through the frame search again when another one dies. So I'm looking at older steel frames. Mostly what I know about steel frames is what I remember about about the bicycles I rode when I was a young kid (pre driving) and those things wieghed and drove like a '70 impala.
So yeah, serious, but low on bicycle knowedge.
04-10-09 | 08:55 PM
#7
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,258
Likes: 14
Ok, I guess that says about what I need to know.
Maybe I should add this-I got this Trek last year and I LOVE riding it. I'm afraid to buy a used AL frame because I don't want to go through the frame search again when another one dies. So I'm looking at older steel frames. Mostly what I know about steel frames is what I remember about about the bicycles I rode when I was a young kid (pre driving) and those things wieghed and drove like a '70 impala.
So yeah, serious, but low on bicycle knowedge.
Maybe I should add this-I got this Trek last year and I LOVE riding it. I'm afraid to buy a used AL frame because I don't want to go through the frame search again when another one dies. So I'm looking at older steel frames. Mostly what I know about steel frames is what I remember about about the bicycles I rode when I was a young kid (pre driving) and those things wieghed and drove like a '70 impala.
So yeah, serious, but low on bicycle knowedge.
Does that simplify things?
04-10-09 | 08:56 PM
#8
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
You would like a Merckx. Very nimble. Very fast. Very smooth riding, compared to most aluminum frames.
04-10-09 | 08:58 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
There are a few Merckx Corsa frames up on eBay at the moment. The Merckx Corsa frames were built with Columbus SL tubing, the Corsa Extra frames with Columbus SLX tubing. That's the main difference
I would say that either model is deserving of Ultegra/Dura Ace, or Chorus/Record level components.
Be advised that a good specimen will fetch top dollar, but also offer a ride to last a lifetime. I have a couple of Merckx Professional frames, both slightly older than Corsa/Corsa Extras, and with slightly different geometry. I ride them often, and the some of the best handling/comfortable frames I've had the pleasure of riding.
The man didn't put his name on them as a licensing deal, he owned the factory and was deeply involved in the manufacturing process.
He just recently sold the factory, and is retiring to Canada, to be close to his grandchildren, is my understanding.
What size are you looking at? I may have a very special Merckx for sale in a few months.
I would say that either model is deserving of Ultegra/Dura Ace, or Chorus/Record level components.
Be advised that a good specimen will fetch top dollar, but also offer a ride to last a lifetime. I have a couple of Merckx Professional frames, both slightly older than Corsa/Corsa Extras, and with slightly different geometry. I ride them often, and the some of the best handling/comfortable frames I've had the pleasure of riding.
The man didn't put his name on them as a licensing deal, he owned the factory and was deeply involved in the manufacturing process.
He just recently sold the factory, and is retiring to Canada, to be close to his grandchildren, is my understanding.
What size are you looking at? I may have a very special Merckx for sale in a few months.
