MX Leader vs Arcobaleno vs Corsa Extra ride characteristics?

[christian]

The bottom graph is right for Century (MX-L) geo.

[professerr]

I've got a Corsa Extra. Honestly, it is is a fine bike for tooling around in the flats or rolling to small hills, but it is one of the worst descending bikes I've ridden when it comes to big high speed descents -- it requires a fair amount of attention to hold a line and does not respond to inputs in a linear way as speed increases. It is bad enough that I had someone put it on a table to check for alignment. All that said, it is a very smooth and comfortable ride compared to identical bikes I have and have ridden with the same tubing. It also garners more compliments and comments than anything I've ridden.

[jds108]

Tronny,

Typically for somebody 5'11", a 55 would be too small for you. I'm 5'10" with just slightly shorter than typical legs and I have a 55 and 56 Merckx. Both fit fine, other than the 55's saddle to bar drop as right now I'm not flexible enough to ride comfortably as I'm completely out of shape at the moment.

I think my stems are 12cm, so not real long nor short.

[jmoore]

^ those are correct for my MXL.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

[Waldo]

Snip:

Originally Posted by weisan

I have read somewhere that Sean Yates when he was riding his team-issued Merckx bikes preferred the SLX or TSX to the MXL.

When I achieve Yates's fitness that bit of information may prove useful.

[jimcav]

unlike previous poster, my corsa extra felt very sure and stable on descents.

[fiamme red]

Originally Posted by jimcav

unlike previous poster, my corsa extra felt very sure and stable on descents.

Same for me. My Corsa Extra descends as well as any bike I've ridden.

[jmoore]

I love steel Merckx threads! We need more of these.

[msl819]

Originally Posted by jmoore

^ those are correct for my MXL.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

remind me... yours does or does not have the MXL fork? It seems like I have inquired about your before.

[texbike]

Originally Posted by jimcav

unlike previous poster, my corsa extra felt very sure and stable on descents.

Originally Posted by fiamme red

Same for me. My Corsa Extra descends as well as any bike I've ridden.

Agreed! I still have a Corsa Extra that I've taken to France, Italy, and Spain and ridden many of the major cols of the TdF with. I felt more confident descending on that bike than the two others that I'd taken previously (Cinelli and Guerciotti). It felt fantastic - incredibly planted and it transitioned easily when descending around switchbacks.

Plenty of Merckx love around here!

Texbike

[professerr]

Originally Posted by texbike

Agreed! I still have a Corsa Extra that I've taken to France, Italy, and Spain and ridden many of the major cols of the TdF with. I felt more confident descending on that bike than the two others that I'd taken previously (Cinelli and Guerciotti). It felt fantastic - incredibly planted and it transitioned easily when descending around switchbacks.

Plenty of Merckx love around here!

Texbike

I'd heard the same from many people, which was one of the reasons I bought the frame. I've never ridden another Corsa Extra, so perhaps there's something wonky about mine (or me). YMMV and all that, of course, and these are so pretty and cheap, why not try one I say. I still like the frame and all -- it is quite comfortable -- but it has been relegated to slower solo rides in easier terrain.

[F150]

Originally Posted by weisan

I have heard some pals gripping about the mxl not able to take in "fatter" tires especially in the rear... Mine was made in 1992, kinda like old pal, I can easily fit a 27mm Pave in the back, no issue. For me, that's as "fat" as I wish to go on a road bike.

I must say, if anyone has a 62 or 63 cm in this color combo that's outgrown it's welcome, please PM me...tasty

[parallelfish]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Nothing descends better, nothing.

Boy, you aren't kidding! Following the first descent of Glendora Mountain Road on my MXL I had a grin on my face for the rest of the week.

[CDollarsign]

I love my Corsa Extra (thanks eBAUMANN), but would love to get my hands on an MXL...

[TronnyJenkins]

Well it sounds like a 56 or 57 for me then. Also sounds like I might have to just try the first one I find in my size... Darn