Late 80s Eddy Merckx Road Bike

Named after the greatest cyclist ever Eddy Merckx, this 55cm road bike holds up to the name it bears by featuring top of the line components through and through. For those who do not know of or about Eddy Merckx, he was the winner of 5 Tour De Frances from 1969-1974. During that era, the only year he did not win (1973), he was ordered to not race for the good of the event. He also held the hour record on a velodrome for a good part of the 20^th century. Some purists will say his record still stands due to the circumstances in which he completed the event. For more on Eddy Merckx, a simple Google search brings up loads of information along with many highly regarded biographies including one released just April 1^st of this year. Now, on to the bike.

As stated previously, this bike has the cream of the crop components on it for the era in which it was produced. One should expect nothing less when building around the Merckx name and also the highly regarded Columbus SL tubing. Seated in a Campagnolo Super Record headset are Cinelli stem and bars with Modolo levers mounted on them. Moving down to the front fork and rear triangle, the black Modolo brakes give a great contrast to the orange paint and are in great shape. While doing a front to back look over of the bike one cannot help but notice the Campagnolo Synchro downtube shifters also. These Campagnolo shifters can be switched from friction to indexed operation depending on preference by positioning the outer switch seen in the photos. I would not advise taking these shifters apart unless one has a schematic handy. They are quite complex inside. What the shifters control are Campagnolo Super Record rear and front derailleurs. While we're talking about Campagnolo Super Record, one may notice the crankset and strada pedals which are also of the Super Record groupset. These are mounted undoubtedly to a Campagnolo Super Record bottom bracket. Avocet hubs help the bike roll around on Ambrosio tubular 700c rims. The final touches include a Campagnolo fluted Super Record seatpost along with my fathers 1973 Brooks saddle from his early riding days. Overall, a beautiful ride that stays true the Merckx name of quality and performance yet with style and elegance. Rest In Peace Bob Lee.

Full Bike Shot

Rear Angle of the Drivetrain

Campagnolo Synchro Shifters (Note selection switch on right)