Few names have an effect like Eddy Merckx. He is a real legend of the game, racking up innumerate victories over all possible terrains, on the highway at the very least. On condition that we have simply seen the relaunch of the Eddy Merckx bike model, these days owned by Ridley’s dad or mum firm, Belgian Bike Manufacturing unit, it appeared pretty much as good a time as any to knock up this gallery.
The bike is an Eddy Merckx that Merckx himself raced again within the day. Early in his profession, Eddy Merckx frames had been repainted Colnago Tremendous’s, however the ‘EM’ monogram on the fork crown is the giveaway that it is an authentic Eddy, on this case in Molteni livery. The yr is unknown, however the late ’70s to early ’80s is the most effective guess I’ve bought. In ’75, the staff was nonetheless on Colnagos, and later within the ’80s, the tube shapes and lugs modified, particularly the fork blades, which grew to become deeper and extra aero (by the requirements of the day).
Whereas I used to be visiting the Belgian Bike Manufacturing unit HQ for different causes, I could not resist snapping a gallery of one in all The Cannibal’s precise bikes.
I am not saying he is bought an ego, however he does have a portrait of himself on his headtube… Additionally notice the marker pen on the stem to get the bar top simply so.
The classic branding is bordered by the rainbow bands of a former world champion
A pink stripe for a pink jersey from the Giro
EM monograms on the fork crown point out this is not a rebadged Colnago Tremendous
All Campagnolo every thing again then. Headset and brakes right here.
The campagnolo entrance derailleur is extremely skeletal in comparison with trendy digital items
A chainstay protector would have added pointless weight
Whereas the elements are all Campagnolo, the bars are from Cinelli, one other Italian model
Even the seat submit is a Campagnolo unit
Too many watts, or maybe a rogue weight saving tactic?
Downtube shifters have lengthy been retired to classic builds and area of interest bikes, however they do not half look good nonetheless
It is a far cry from the big selection 13sp cassettes on provide from Campagnolo Ekar at present
It has been some time since these tyres, tubular items, held any air
A yellow stripe for a Tour de France victory
Campagnolo Nuovo File. Tremendous File hadn’t come round simply but.
We suspect the zip ties are trendy, however the pump peg is not one thing you see on any trendy race bike
No clipless pedals right here, simply toe clips and straps
23mm cotton tubulars… tyres have come a good distance however the Vittoria Corsa remains to be a mannequin seen within the peloton at present
Whereas cotton tyres stay, cotton bar tape is certainly a factor of the previous, as are basic spherical drop bars for essentially the most half
Grease ports within the hubs, now that is a throwback!
The tubeset in query is not recognized, these we are able to at the very least inform it is Columbus.
Merckx was apparently an actual stickler for saddle top, so the road of tape is so his mechanics might maintain issues simply so.
I believe we might all agree that brake hood ergonomics have improved a bit
Peek-a-boo! Why have one portrait of your self in your bikes when you possibly can have two?
Thanks to your Cyclingnews subscription. We use our subscription charges to have the ability to maintain producing all our common nice content material in addition to extra premium items like this one. Discover out extra right here.
Supply hyperlink
