DJR Posted November 8, 2019 Share Talking about light steel bikes. This from an interview with Ernesto Colnago: Eddy Merckx hour record, 1972‘I built this bike for Eddy Merckx to attempt the Hour record on. At the time it was the lightest I had ever made, 5.75kg, and this was 46 years ago!‘The stem is titanium, and I had to send it to America to get it welded as no one in Europe knew how to weld titanium back then. ‘The spokes are titanium as well, and the hubs are made by Campagnolo from beryllium alloy, very light and stiff. ‘I drilled out every chain link by hand [saving 95g], which upset the chain’s makers, Regina Extra, as they said it would be too weak for Eddy’s power.’ Colnago also created an especially light headset – just 122g – and had a Columbus steel tubeset drawn that thinned to a mere 0.4mm wall-thickness in the middle, groundbreaking for the day. French company Clement provided 80g tubular tyres and Colnago redesigned a Cinelli Unicanitor saddle to have special sliding seat rails to achieve Merckx’s desired position. The bars were also Cinelli, again drilled out to save weight. Colnago says the fabrication alone took over 200 hours, but it was worth it. ‘I went to Mexico City [chosen for its high altitude and low air pressure] as Merckx’s mechanic. I was not that nervous, but Eddy was. Just five minutes before the start he asked to change the handlebars. ‘In the end he broke the record with 49.431km, and we got drunk together afterwards. It was one of the greatest days of my life.’ Just to make sure you don't miss what the important bit above is: A steel framed bike of 5,75kg was possible 46 years ago. Ok, I know it was a single speed stripped to its underpants, but still! splat, Melo Joni, pista and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruity Posted November 11, 2019 Share Wayne pudding Mol, DJR and pista 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruity Posted November 11, 2019 Share Long Wheel Base 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruity Posted November 11, 2019 Share DJR and Long Wheel Base 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruity Posted November 11, 2019 Share pista and DJR 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruity Posted November 11, 2019 Share Long Wheel Base 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruity Posted November 11, 2019 Share Me rida my bicycle, pista, DJR and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruity Posted November 11, 2019 Share pista and DJR 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruity Posted November 11, 2019 Share Me rida my bicycle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJR Posted November 12, 2019 Share Look with Mavic Starfish - perfect combination Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne pudding Mol Posted November 12, 2019 Share Just been sent these from CBR - my look project which I will detail elsewhere - but its in keeping with above posts and bike pornworthy Long Wheel Base, DJR, ChrisF and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pista Posted November 14, 2019 Share Just been sent these from CBR - my look project which I will detail elsewhere - but its in keeping with above posts and bike pornworthyThis needs it's own build thread. Wayne pudding Mol and DJR 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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