Merckx Corsa Extra in SLX with rather special provenance!

[Barchettaman]

Morning all,
Simon in Frankfurt here.
A Google search brought me over to this fantastic site - I´m looking for inspiration for my current build, a Merckx Corsa Extra in SLX, and it looks like there are quite a few tasty examples being ridden in the UK.

My frame is ex-Günter Haritz, who was Olympic champion on the track in 1972 (team pursuit I think) and went on to have a fairly monumental road career, so it has an interesting provenance:

Build-wise it´s looking like 9-speed Ultegra with STIs. I have nothing against DT shifters but prefer my shifting up top on the hoods. The frame is also my exact size.

Anyway, I´ll update the build with photos as and when if anyone is interested.

 

[Diamant_Don]

Re:

Love that frame set! Keep us posted as you build it up. Oh, and welcome to the forum.

 

[Mike Muz]

Re:

Hi , welcome to the forum

Good frame to start a build thread on . Pity you dont fancy the dt shifter idea . I think that bike frame would look cleaner with them but I can understand your reasoning . I have bikes with both set ups .
I'm sure you'll find plenty of inspiration and tips on the forum should you have any queries .
And of course , people proudly displaying their finished bikes .

Mike

 

[Barchettaman]

Re:

Thanks chaps.

Of course, it´s only now that I see the ´introduce yourself´ section above so maybe I´ll post a few previous builds of mine in there too.

My first classic road bike had DT shifters (a Gitane TT lo-pro) and I kept sticking my fingers in the spokes, rather put me off them somewhat - obviously a comment on my total imcompetence rather than a slur on the humble DT shifter.

 

[Mike Muz]

Re:

Nasty ! Hope they weren't bladed spokes :shock:

Mike

 

[Jamiedyer]

Re: New member from Germany saying hello

Welcome aboard!
My Merckx corsa runs Ultegra/105 with STi's, has done since new. Works fine and love it So each to their own preference.
Saying that my modern tourer runs Dura Ace downtube shifters as I like them best, but only when not in a hurry

Jamie

 

[El Juli]

Re:

Welcome to the forum!
Really nice frame and the provenance makes it more interesting.
Good luck with the build!

 

[Barchettaman]

Re: New member from Germany saying hello

Thanks all for the warm welcome.
It looks like the components will be the following:

Shimano R600 50/34 crankset
Hollowtech BB
Shimano 105-5700 rear mech
Shimano Tiagra 4600 front mech and brakeset
an old 105 left hand STI shifter, from an 8-speed groupset
Ultegra 9-speed right hand shifter
Random headset (probably Ritchey Logic)

No point having a parts bin if you don´t use it.

 

[Barchettaman]

Re: New member from Germany saying hello

Minor update.

The frame has been thoroughly degreased, cleaned, and sealed with an automotive LSP (Bilt Hamber Autobalm). It´s come up very nicely indeed, barring the many paint chips which TBH I´m not bothered about. I´ve wasted enough of my life with nail polish on bike frames.

We have DT cable stops (apologies for the carpet:

A Tiagra external bottom bracket and a Tiagra-level (R600) compact crankset, in rather nice condition, and a new Tiagra FD:

A cheap Ritchey headset:

The stack height of this headset is a little short so I will be raiding the parts bin of the LBS for a spacer or two. Otherwise it seems OK, at least for €7 it does!

Some 40mm deep aluminium clinchers (Felt TTR4s) with the decals removed:

That´s it for now. Next stop is the LBS to get the alignment checked and the bent DS dropout claw, erm, ´unbent´.

Thanks for looking,
Simon

 

[Jamiedyer]

Re: New member from Germany saying hello

Looking great so far!
Keep the updates coming

Jamie