DJR Posted October 27, 2018 Author Posted October 27, 2018 The Build Detail Frame & Fork:Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, 1993 model year, Size 59, Team Motorola colours, lugged steel, Columbus SLX tubing, frame touch up of original paint, new clear coat. Fork re-sprayed to match blue of frame.Wheels:Rims: Mavic Open 4 CD, 36 holeFront Hub: Shimano Dura Ace 7403 (1991 to 1996), 36 spokeRear Hub: Shimano Dura Ace 7403 (1991 to 1996), 36 spoke, 8-speed, HyperglideSpokes: StainlessTyres: Continental Gatorskin, wire bead, 28 mm rear, 32 mm frontTubes: KendaDrivetrain:Shifters: Shimano Dura Ace, Downtube 7400 (1985 to 1988), 6-speed, frictionRear derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7402 (1989 to 1996), 8 speed, short cageFront derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7700 (1996), 9 speedCrankset: Shimano Dura Ace 7402 (1988 to 1993), square taper, 52/39 teeth, 170mmBottom bracket: ShimanoPedals: Shimano 600, toe cagesCassette: Shimano Hyperglide, 8-speed, 11/28 teethChain: Shimano 8-speed, quick linkBrakes:Brake levers: Shimano Dura Ace 7402 (1990 to 1998), aeroBrake callipers: Shimano Dura Ace 7403 (1991 to 1996), dual pivotCockpit:Headset: Stronglight, 1 inch, threadedStem: Shimano Dura Ace 7400 (1988 to 1998), hidden bolt, 110 mmHandle bars: 3T, 40 cmHandle bar tape: Cinelli Kaleidoscope, blackSeat:Seatpost: Dura Ace 27.2 mm x 250 mmSaddle: No Name, “Made in Italy”, black, refurbished by VelobrienBottle Cages: Arundel, stainless steel
DJR Posted October 27, 2018 Author Posted October 27, 2018 Some parts simply scream for better close-up pictures!
DJR Posted October 27, 2018 Author Posted October 27, 2018 The First Cannibal Ride Keep in mind that this is a bike that, 25 years ago, won a Grand Tour and a world Championship. It was ridden by the fast and infamous. How would it treat me? I decided to take the Merckx for an outing along the Atlantic coast and included Cape Towns' own cobbled district - the V&A Waterfront and the Sea Point Promenade. Where better to take a bike that was made for the famous Belgian cobbles and races of Europe? First impressions: I know Merckcx is well known for their geometry that is supposed to be so well balanced that it translate to bike stability even on rough terrain. That is certainly true of the Corsa! It is the easiest road bike to sit up straight and ride hands-free. The front wheel just keeps tracking and all you have to do to steer, is to look where you want to go and it will take you there! I was totally surprised by how comfortable it felt right from the start. The ride is so completely predictable that I wondered if it was not going to be unresponsive and slow. So, I threw it around a bit to get around manhole covers and bumps, it reacted like a true racehorse. Up the first little hill I stood up and kicked hard and it accelerated with ease. At speed it corners extremely well, but I think the big rubber helped as well. It certainly took the rough Promenade cobbles in its' stride. The indexed Shimano Dura Ace downtube shifters were an eye opener to me (I'm a Shimano newby). They shift extremely positively, click, click and it dials what you ordered. I can easily understand how the 7400 series is what got Shimano onto the Grand Tour podiums. For a quarter century old groupset, it functioned flawlessly. So, the verdict is great. I can easily see the Cannibal taking me to the next Eroica in style! Just some training will have to be added!
DJR Posted October 29, 2018 Author Posted October 29, 2018 3 Rides in 3 Days - I'm suffering from a bad good dose of New-Bike Fever like I haven't for anything other than a Colnago with Campagnolo! Wow! This Eddy Merckx is a magic carpet ride on rails! I'm NEVER EVER going to buy skinny road tyres again and I'll keep those I have for easy short rides. Now that I've spent a little more distance on it, some further thoughts: 1. It will make a supreme bike for really long rides. The Columbus frame absorbs a lot of road vibration and so does the 28/32 mm tyre combination.2. The ride position is a little more upright than most modern pure racers. My neck and back like that.3. It descends and corners at speed like it is glued. This is the road weapon for closet downhill racers!4. It is not as light as I thought it would be, a bit under 10 kg on my bathroom scale, but it doesn't feel heavy on the road. Interesting!5. I'll have to undo the handlebar tape to put an extra layer under it to make it more comfortable on the hands for long bumpy rides. Why did I ever forget about that?6. It certainly doesn't feel like a quarter century old bike.
BuffsVintageBikes Posted November 26, 2018 Posted November 26, 2018 Wow, what a stunner, pure class through and through My old Bianchi still runs 8 speed Dura-Ace (STi shifters) and it still shifts as perfectly as the day I built it up, 22 years ago.
Longbarn Killer Posted November 26, 2018 Posted November 26, 2018 That was a pretty awesome project. You were lucky to get such a good quality groupset, of that age, in that condition.
DJR Posted February 10, 2019 Author Posted February 10, 2019 I have now used the Merckx for my daily commute for 2 months and still love riding it every day. It is extremely comfortable and very forgiving going through potholes, over pavements and even over dirt bits. I know, I know, how can I commit a racehorse that once ran in the Grand Tours to be a commuter? My only excuse is that life is too valuable to waste it on riding cart horses.
Cippo Posted March 28, 2019 Posted March 28, 2019 Only came across this build now. Absolutely stunning result Dawid. Many happy miles.
DJR Posted March 28, 2019 Author Posted March 28, 2019 Perhaps I should add a little update? I'm glad to report that the Cannibal got to ride Eroica SA, but sadly, not with me in the saddle. Two weeks before, I had a rather nasty crash riding Red Riding Hood and broke my shoulder. When I woke up after the operation, the first thing young Daniel wanted to know was whether he could use the Merckx for Eroica? Of course! He rode with the rest of teams DJR and Beattbox (aka Pain or Shine, when we collaborate) and reported that the Merckx performed flawlessly. Hopefully next year I'll be able to see for myself. For now the Canniball is parked on the indoor trainer, because that is all I'm allowed to ride for another month.
Cippo Posted March 28, 2019 Posted March 28, 2019 Did he use the Gatorskins and how did they perform on the gravel roads?
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