How to build up this Eddy Merckx titanium frame
03-16-11, 12:07 PM
#1
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How to build up this Eddy Merckx titanium frame
Hope I'm in the right thread here. Anyway, I recently bought this Eddy Merckx Titane frame in France from somebody who had it given to him by a bike mechanic friend. He had prepared it for Jens Voigt of the Credit Agricole team at the 1999 Tour de France.
It's in pretty good overall condition although the paint is scratched and rubbed here and there. I would like to build it up using components from that period but I don't know what I should use. For example, chrome steel fork or carbon ? 8 or 9 speed etc.
Looking forward to any suggestions.
It's in pretty good overall condition although the paint is scratched and rubbed here and there. I would like to build it up using components from that period but I don't know what I should use. For example, chrome steel fork or carbon ? 8 or 9 speed etc.
Looking forward to any suggestions.
03-16-11, 12:16 PM
#2
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Damn, I saw this and emailed the guy but he never got back to me. You got a great deal.
How to build it? I would spare no expense. Record or Chorus with a silver seat post and stem, silver Mavic Ksyrium SSC SLs and a white San Marco Regal saddle. I nice carbon fork and you can easily get this bike to be about 17lbs.
How to build it? I would spare no expense. Record or Chorus with a silver seat post and stem, silver Mavic Ksyrium SSC SLs and a white San Marco Regal saddle. I nice carbon fork and you can easily get this bike to be about 17lbs.
03-16-11, 12:25 PM
#3
Mostly Mischief
JENS VOIGT?!? Amazing...
03-16-11, 01:36 PM
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That's a nice looking frame - I love how the chainstays meet the rear dropouts. Sweet!
03-16-11, 02:21 PM
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extra-sweet! yeah, I'd lavish the best stuff on it. Even though a nice chrome steel fork would look nice, this vintage really should have a CF fork. Maybe one of the silver-weave jobs or at least painted pearl white to match the frame...a standard black CF fork would look "dead".
03-16-11, 02:22 PM
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Wow that's amazing. Not sure how it would have been built...but if you are going to ride this thing I agree with Jet, spare no expense. I would vote for a 10 or 11s alloy Campy group.
03-16-11, 02:50 PM
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Holy haystacks that's a beauty! I'm in love...
I'd build it modern 11sp Super Record personally...it would look great with the white. I'd try for a Merckx columbus fork and paint it white to match, use classic cinelli or 3ttt stem/bars and a traditional looking rim.
I think period correct would likely be campy 9sp...google the team for photos.
I'd build it modern 11sp Super Record personally...it would look great with the white. I'd try for a Merckx columbus fork and paint it white to match, use classic cinelli or 3ttt stem/bars and a traditional looking rim.
I think period correct would likely be campy 9sp...google the team for photos.
Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 03-16-11 at 03:02 PM.
03-16-11, 04:52 PM
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Kestrel made a nice white CF fork that would look great on that, silver lettering.
I'd probably skip period-correct and build it with Chorus/Record 8-sp or 9-sp polished stuff, nice polished Ergo stuff.
Why? Because the minute I was done, I'd be flying down the street on it....
I'd probably skip period-correct and build it with Chorus/Record 8-sp or 9-sp polished stuff, nice polished Ergo stuff.
Why? Because the minute I was done, I'd be flying down the street on it....
03-16-11, 06:59 PM
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Very nice...treat her right, she deserves the good stuff for sure.
???Chorus Alloy 10s, 28-32H handbuilt wheels, silver cockpit and post, classic saddle...
Have fun!
...or send it my way and I'll take good care of her!
???Chorus Alloy 10s, 28-32H handbuilt wheels, silver cockpit and post, classic saddle...
Have fun!
...or send it my way and I'll take good care of her!
03-16-11, 07:07 PM
#11
Mostly Mischief
There's a Columbus Hyperion sticker on there and we believe it's titanium, so it must pre-date the Litespeed frames Merckx had built on this side of the pond?
03-16-11, 07:41 PM
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I'm with Jet sanchEz, but I would stick with Campagnolo Record. I think it deserves a titanium record seatpost too.
Wow, love the frame - definitely on my wish list.
Wow, love the frame - definitely on my wish list.
03-16-11, 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by jan nikolajsen
There's a Columbus Hyperion sticker on there and we believe it's titanium, so it must pre-date the Litespeed frames Merckx had built on this side of the pond?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApaHwSixklA
03-16-11, 08:24 PM
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CA was 1998, I believe that GAN was also on these bikes in 1999.
CA was on Shimano, with Mavic headsets, wheels, Cinelli grammo titanium stems....
CA was on Shimano, with Mavic headsets, wheels, Cinelli grammo titanium stems....
03-16-11, 11:06 PM
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Originally Posted by jan nikolajsen
There's a Columbus Hyperion sticker on there and we believe it's titanium, so it must pre-date the Litespeed frames Merckx had built on this side of the pond?
For you tire-kickers: $1295 for frame alone, fork extra; for comparison a Litespeed Tuscany (also frame-only) was $1350.
03-16-11, 11:23 PM
#18
Mostly Mischief
Thanks for the info, unworthy1. Judging from what I can find on the Internet this Hyperion/Merckx combo may not have been much of a public offering. A rare bird, indeed.
03-16-11, 11:30 PM
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I'm curious too...I have no idea what year my Litespeed built Merckx is. An entirely different bird, I know but still curious about the Merckx Ti history.
Neither Litespeed nor Merckx answered my emails.
Neither Litespeed nor Merckx answered my emails.
03-16-11, 11:40 PM
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Only clue I can offer is this from the Colorado Cyclist catalog:
"for '98 Merckx builds the Ti-AX with a bi-axially oval down tube for increased rigidity..." etc.
so, I'd take that to mean if yours has that shape down tube it's a '98 (or later) if not then a '97 (or earlier, if there is earlier)
'98 was a brushed finish with red/white-outlined decals.
"for '98 Merckx builds the Ti-AX with a bi-axially oval down tube for increased rigidity..." etc.
so, I'd take that to mean if yours has that shape down tube it's a '98 (or later) if not then a '97 (or earlier, if there is earlier)
'98 was a brushed finish with red/white-outlined decals.
03-16-11, 11:51 PM
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are the housing guides broken off the headtube? Sweet frame.. Get an EC90SL fork painted to match.
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1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
03-17-11, 01:57 AM
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Check out Johann Musseeuw's Merckx: https://www.markripper.com/images/pr_museeuw_merckx.jpg
Found this among some other cool (although not very hi res) cycling pics here: https://markripper.com/the.photos.html
Found this among some other cool (although not very hi res) cycling pics here: https://markripper.com/the.photos.html
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-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
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03-17-11, 05:47 AM
#23
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Originally Posted by jet sanchEz
Damn, I saw this and emailed the guy but he never got back to me. You got a great deal.
How to build it? I would spare no expense. Record or Chorus with a silver seat post and stem, silver Mavic Ksyrium SSC SLs and a white San Marco Regal saddle. I nice carbon fork and you can easily get this bike to be about 17lbs.
How to build it? I would spare no expense. Record or Chorus with a silver seat post and stem, silver Mavic Ksyrium SSC SLs and a white San Marco Regal saddle. I nice carbon fork and you can easily get this bike to be about 17lbs.
)I have a very nice alu Chorus 9 speed group that I'll most probably use. As for 1 inch carbon forks, they are quite scarce and so far have not been quick enough when one has come up for sale (with long enough stem).
03-17-11, 05:53 AM
#24
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Kestrel made a nice white CF fork that would look great on that, silver lettering.
She's probably getting the 9 spd alloy Chorus, but as for a fork...I'm still looking
Originally Posted by RobbieTunes
I'd probably skip period-correct and build it with Chorus/Record 8-sp or 9-sp polished stuff, nice polished Ergo stuff.
Why? Because the minute I was done, I'd be flying down the street on it....
Why? Because the minute I was done, I'd be flying down the street on it....
03-17-11, 06:01 AM
#25
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Originally Posted by longbeachgary
I didn't even know that Merckx built his own TI until I saw this video of Paul Sherwin doing a factory tour. However you build it,,,,enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApaHwSixklA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApaHwSixklA
