So I picked up a Merckx today... How did I do?
 

At a race last weekend a friend mentioned that his neighbor had an Eddy Merckx hanging up in his garage, and he might be willing to sell it. I went and took a look at it and had to have it. I paid 500$. Did I do ok? I never see European bikes around here that aren't Peugeots.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...yMerckx001.jpg

The owner said that the groupo is Croce d `Aune which I am not familiar with. He was a manager at an Eddy Merckx dealer on the west coast. He said something about the bike being made as a test build up for Team Motorola on the European Circuit but was never used for racing. The parts that are not Campy are the Cinelli stem and Cinelli criterium bars. The hubs are Mavic. The saddle is a perforated Sella san Marco Rolls. It has a cool gold band on the back. The pedals are just some Christophe that I had lying around. Another cool thing about this guy is that his wife had a cool 1971 Blue Colnago Super Something. Full pantographed campy. It was awesome.

score

WOW! - You got a great deal!

...he says with a straight face.

I think I need to go hang around some races.

Ok - seriously you've been scoring on some really nice bikes lately. I'm starting to get jealous - but it's nice to know there's still some good ones in E. Washington. Now, I need to go knock on the guy's door that has the 70's Raleigh International in his garage on flat tires.

You did friggin' AWESOME!

Absolutely gorgeous. Love the color scheme. Let us know how it rides, though I'm guessing I know the answer.

Damnnnnn... That's SWEET. Nice score.

Maybe it's just the photo but it looks like somebody force fit a 2 liter soda bottle into the seat tube water bottle cage. :(

~kn

Internal cable routing for the rear brake?

Lol ya that bottlecage is a bit stretched out.. Yes, the rear brake cable is internally routed on the top tube. This year has been very good to me so far I must admit. From the little riding I've done it feels really nice. Thanks for all the replies.

Gorgeous find, more pics! Detail shots!

The frame is worth more than that. Looks like team Telecom colors.

Thumbs up.

More pictures please, particularly the abstract Croce d`Aune rear/brakes!

Very nice and welcome to the club.

I think, obviously, you got a great deal. I also have an Eddy Merckx Century, and I have really enjoyed mine for the last year. I purchased a NOS 1991 TSX Century frame set (Team Kelme) and built the bike with a 2009 Campy Centaur gruppo. I built the wheels and selected each part myself. What a great experience!

Is yours made from Columbus SLX or TSX?

If you want any additional information about your bike, let me know. I have done a great deal of research about this particular model and would be happy to help if wanted or needed.

As I said earlier, super nice bike. You have very good fortune indeed.

Bring on the detailed pics please. :)

Oh, one more thing. I did a 65 mile ride on mine today. I just spent an hour cleaning her and it was worth it.

does the avocet work?

This or the 7-11 is my favorite color scheme. What a steal!
Very nice!

Jake

Ok here are some detailed pics I took earlier..

Rear Brake
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...yMerckx002.jpg

Rear Derailleur
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...yMerckx003.jpg

Crank and Front Derailleur
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...yMerckx004.jpg

Campagnolo Record Strada rims
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...yMerckx006.jpg

Columbus TSX sticky
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...yMerckx007.jpg

Bars, Stem, and hot pink Avocet comp
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...yMerckx008.jpg

Saddle
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...yMerckx009.jpg

Enjoy!

Wow, gorgeous bicycle. It looks quite minty and very well taken care of! You, sir, got a great deal.

That's a great find--wow!

This just makes me want one even worse now.

Love, love, LOVE the color scheme! What a score! *Drool*

There are very few Merckx color schemes I dislike.

There are so many I love.

7-11
Motorola
TeleKom
Faema
Hitachi
Teve Blad
Stuttgart
and even Kelme among others....

I can't wait for a full ride report. I'd like to compare notes with you about the TSX frameset at some point.

Thanks for the extra pics. It is appreciated.

Your's and Jake's in the same day! Very cool you guys.

Croce d `Aune was a very nice grouppo that was positioned below c-record and above chorus. Unlikely that this bike as built-up ever had association with Motoroloa team since they only ever used shimano parts, never campy equiped though I suppose someone could have possibly stripped it and re-bulit it up later. Campagnolo did not make stems/bars so no discredit to your find for having cinelli there.

i wish i had a friend whos neighbor had one of these just hanging in the garage.