Merckx Corsa Extra in SLX with rather special provenance!

[rusty bodie]

Thanks Rusty. Yours is a fantastic bike.

thanks - i can't recommend this frame highly enough. for an off the peg frame set it fits me perfectly which is amazing as i have had many handmade frames over the years but none have come close to fitting me as well as this old beast!

 

[Barchettaman]

Sooo, brief update time.

The Cinelli panto´d stem takes a 26.4mm handlebar.

I like a drop bar to have an anatomic bend, shallow drop and be as wide as possible.

So there was only one contender, the Cinelli Eubios. Unfortunately they are as rare as brass monkey´s testicles, but an extensive search has located some and they are on their way.

 

[Jamiedyer]

Hi guys
How are these two builds progressing? Or have I missed their build pages in the readers road bikes section?
I liked your black stem and thought I'd share a shot of my cinelli.

Jamie

 

[Barchettaman]

Re:

Just waiting for the Eubios bars to arrive from Berlin, then I can complete the build.

Looking at the amount of snow on the ground here in Frankfurt though, I fear the maiden voyage might not be for some time.

 

[Barchettaman]

Right.

Build finished. My Lumix bridge camera has decided it wants to stop fucussing correctly so apologies for the crappy photos. For some reason it worked a bit better with the washing machine behind the bike.

Full stats:

Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Columbus SLX, ex-Günther Haritz (Olympic 4 man pursuit champion 1972)
Headset: Ritchey
Stem: Cinelli panto´d Merckx
Bars: Cinelli Eubios 26.4mm
Tape: Easton
Cables/Housing: Jagwire Pro Racer
BB: Tiagra
Crankset: Tiagra 50/34
RD: 105
FD: Tiagra
Brakes: Tiagra dual pivot
Chain: SRAM 9-speed
Cassette: Tiagra 12-30
Pedals: LOOK Keo
Bottle cages: Cheap Chinese blue & white jobbies
STI shifters: Sora 2x9 with the proper paddles
Wheelset: Felt TTR4
Tyres: Schwalbe Blizzard 622/25
Seatpost: random aluminium
Saddle: Brooks Professional
Binder bolt: Decathlon cheapie

 

[Jamiedyer]

Beautiful!
Job well done, now get out and ride, ride like the wind................................
Your also more than welcome to come to Scotland for a run I'm organising for the macretro's in the Highlands on May 17th from Bonar Bridge to Ledmore and return on a loop. Its a long way but the scenery is lovely

edit*** I meant its a long way for you to come, not the ride.
Jamie

 

[firedfromthecircus]

Have you managed to get some better pics yet? Surely good enough weather for you now.

Interesting mix on the build but it looks good, though starting with that frame it would be hard not to look good.
Good choice on the Autobalm too.

Also wanted to ask you if you have heard of a cyclist by the name of Uwe Brell? My Merckx (link in my signature) has a sticker with this name on it and I wondered if he was a German pro from BITD?

 

[Barchettaman]

Re:

Hi, no, not logged any miles as yet, plenty of commuting miles and a few training sorties but on my Cyclocross bike so far this spring. Illness and injury permitting I'll be out on it this coming week. I will post some better photos too.

As far as the build is concerned one could definitely argue that such a special frame deserves top of the line components. However, since I discovered how well cheap Shimano stuff shifts and brakes with top notch cables & outers, I can't bring myself to throw too much money at the groupset. I also have zero interest in vintage drivetrains, sorry, just not my cuppa.

I will do a bit of googling and see what I can find r.e. your name.

 

[Barchettaman]

Ok, so Uwe Brell lives pretty near me in Sossenheim. He's an active RTF rider (bit like Audax) in his 70's, winning all his age group competitions. Sounds like a bit of a legend by all accounts.

 

[Barchettaman]

Some better photos. A bit of free time from work coincided with some rather glorious weather: