quicky

Hi
I just got a super-cool Eddy Merckx Century bike. I think it was made between 1986-1989. I have a lot of questions on how to take care of my new baby.
I do want to make a good attempt at keeping the bike "original", but am not going to kill myself doing so. I do have a limited budget.

Most of the components are Campy. Maybe record (that is what the seller told me) but I don't know bikes or components at all.

Lot of questions:
1. currently has Look pedals on it. My wife hates that type of pedal clip system and thinks I will crash and burn if I use them. I am very old school- always have had good old toe clips. Would these pedals be original equipment? Any way to go back to a toe clip system or would that be a real dumb move.
2.A few paint chips here and there. I am not interested in repainting the bike whatsoever. Should I try to find touch-up paint (will be difficult) or use some sort of clear sealer (not hiding anything, but protecting frame from corrosion) or do nothing.
3. Looks like it needs all new cables and housings. The housings are black and beat-up. Would like to get red housings, is that a major mistake?

Would love to post a few pics, but that is way over my head computer-wise.

Thanks

Giacomo 1 

Sounds like you found a great bike!

The Look pedals would not have been original, but alot of riders love the clipless pedals. I'm not sure they are anymore dangerous than clips once you get used to them, but I ride with toe clips, or half clips, which I think are the best solution. Easy in, easy out, easy to flip and they look good.

I always try to find paint that matches for touch-ups. It's usually not to hard to get very close or right on.

Nothing wrong with different colored hoods, but it's hard to give you an opinion unless we have - you guessed it - pictures!

Welcome to the forum, and if you search, there is a thread that explains how to post pics...

gomango

Welcome to the forums.

We can help with pics!

Does yours look anything like my old Century?

Wino Ryder

What 'Giacomo1' said. The Looks wouldnt be original to your bike. If you are more comfortable with clip 'n strap pedals then by all means go for it. Sounds like you got a great bike so congrats and welcome to the forums.

russd32

Welcome! A Merckx Century was a nice bike, if it has Campy there's a good chance it is Record. Is it 7 or 8 speed?

1. Sure, use whatever pedals you'd like. There's a good chance it didn't even come with pedals, or if it did they may have been "test ride" pedals. A lot of people around here like to keep their stuff more or less original if we can, but more often than not that means keeping it period correct. So instead of ordering a brand new set of high tech pedals try to find some that would have been new as of the time when the bike was newish. Some late 80's Campy pedals with straps/clips would be the hotness on that thing.

2. You could touch it up. Sometimes you can pickup some little jars of model car paint and mix colors until you get it right. Then touch up your chips and then lay some clearcoat over the chips.

3. Use whatever color you want man, it's your bike. There are probably several brands out there that offer red cables. I've used Jagwire cables and they're nice, although they are typically a bit more modern than what you're bike probably has currently. That wouldn't bother me but it would some people.

quicky

Thanks for all the welcomes!
It is a 8 speed rear cog. Think I will get some sort of clipped pedal and shoes soon, but will start searching for a set of old campy pedals with toe clips.
This is a fantastic bike! I am currently on the disabled list so I let my wife take it for a 20 mile ride (yea I know it's weird to loan a new bike out). She had nothing but praise for the bike. She wants it- ain't happening...
One more sorta dumb question. There are two "nipples" that are similar to a nail head that is not fully driven. The heads project about an eighth of a inch. One is on the back of the headtube and the other is on the chainstay just above the derailler. What are they? They must be some type of mounting bracket is my guess.

qcpmsame 

The head tube nipple is for a pump and the chain stay attachment is a chain hanger for when the rear wheel is removed.

Very nice bike from your descriptions, I hope you an enjoy the miles and all the rides.

Bill

Chombi

Look pedals were hitting the cycling market hard by 1986 and everyone was jumping in for their share of the new technology for their bikes. Some bike manufacturers were still issuing the best non-clipless pedals on their bikes at that time as they were not so sure that the public was totally sold on them yet, but a lot of clipped pedals were certainly taken off on many higher end bikes at that time before they left the dealer's floor. So, I would think clipless Look pedal set on that bike can be considered "appropriate". And don't worry too much if the looks on the bike are later 90's models or newer, as the technology and general look of the pedals did not change that much anyway as the years went.
As for clipless pedals being dangerous, it one of the biggest myths that still seem to refuse to die after all these years. Keep in mind that clipless pedal designs were mostly based on ski binding technology, so there was big thinking about how the pedals would actually provide a much safer condition, compared to older pedal retention technology. I still can't believe why it would be thought that a quick, outward twist of the foot to release yourself from a clipless pedal could be more dangerous that having to loosen the strap on a clipped pedal with one hand and having to let go of the handlebar to do so. And if the response is . "I don't tighten the strap on my clipped pedals anyway",....then one is not using their clipped pedal retention system appropriately and to full potential anyway.....
JMOs

Bikedued

Funny thing is now on higher end bikes these days, you get plastic "test ride" pedals, or sometimes nothing at all. They do include pedal washers on almost everything above the $1500 mark now though.,,,,BD

due ruote 

+1 There's nothing wrong with choosing whatever pedal system you want, but it is a fallacy to think that clipless pedals are more dangerous than cages and straps.

Also I wouldn't worry too much about the originality thing, unless you're trying to create a show bike. Have fun with it, set it up in a way that you find most functional and aesthetically pleasing, and just don't do anything irreversible.

longbeachgary

As far as touch up paint, I either use nail polish or auto paint. I got lucky with my green merckx when I saw a Volvo with exactly the same color. A trip to the dealer and I had a perfect match for British Racing Green.