Opinions needed on a new build - MX Leader

[2wheelwill]

I have a lucky man's dilemma - sitting in my garage is a NOS 2005 Eddy Merckx MX leader frameset in Motorola team colors. This was part of the last 100 MX Leaders built by Merckx with the threadless 1" fork. I've wanted one of these forever.

My dilemma is that I can't decide what components to hang on this Merckx. Here are my options:

Dura Ace 9000 group with silver Kysrium wheels (nice stuff but afraid it looks too modern and Darth Vader-like for the Merckx.

Record 10 group that looks great but i'm not really a Campagnolo guy and I don't have Campy wheels (could convert Kysriums I guess or consider some new wheels)

Dura Ace 7800 groups that is in great shape and I could use my silver Mavic Open Pros with silver Chris King Classic hubs).

I'm fully aware how ridiculous it must sound to call this a dilemma so please don't give me a hard time! Just tell me how would you build this Merckx????

Thx! :banana:

[zetroc]

7800

[witcombusa]

Agree, 7800 will be perfect for her.

These are great riding bikes, enjoy :banana:

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

7800. That frame begs (IMHO) for a silver build.

[christian]

DA9000 all the way. Motorola was always a Shimano team and ran the top Dura-Ace available at the time. 9000 is amazing by all accounts, and there is nothing better than a classic frame with great new parts.

It all adds up to 9000.

[rccardr]

7800 was introduced in 2003, so it would be period correct. And rockin'

[christian]

BTW, what you have is a trilemma.

[oldpotatoe]

I have a lucky man's dilemma - sitting in my garage is a NOS 2005 Eddy Merckx MX leader frameset in Motorola team colors. This was part of the last 100 MX Leaders built by Merckx with the threadless 1" fork. I've wanted one of these forever.

My dilemma is that I can't decide what components to hang on this Merckx. Here are my options:

Dura Ace 9000 group with silver Kysrium wheels (nice stuff but afraid it looks too modern and Darth Vader-like for the Merckx.

Record 10 group that looks great but i'm not really a Campagnolo guy and I don't have Campy wheels (could convert Kysriums I guess or consider some new wheels)

Dura Ace 7800 groups that is in great shape and I could use my silver Mavic Open Pros with silver Chris King Classic hubs).

I'm fully aware how ridiculous it must sound to call this a dilemma so please don't give me a hard time! Just tell me how would you build this Merckx????

Thx! :banana:

Athena all silver..handbuilt wheels.

[cmg]

post a photo before the build. Dura Ace 7800 groups with silver Mavic Open Pros and silver Chris King Classic hubs would look great and preform like a modern day bike. bar tape should match some color on the frame and get matching bottle cages.

[sjauch2]

If you plan on riding it I'd go DA9000. If you want to hang it on the wall 7800. Nothing wrong with 7800 but if you can I think DA9000 would be pretty sweet on that bike.

[mktng]

Just tossing it out there.
Have mint 7800 shifters + rd and fd fs if youre interested :)

[witcombusa]

DA9000 all the way. Motorola was always a Shimano team and ran the top Dura-Ace available at the time. 9000 is amazing by all accounts, and there is nothing better than a classic frame with great new parts. It all adds up to 9000.



Except a classic frame with period appropriate parts ;)


And "classic" starts @ 20 years old......maybe

[FlashUNC]

Athena all silver..handbuilt wheels.

+1,000.

You really can't go wrong with it.

I'll present this as evidence...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8417/8914981944_1aa3276c1d_b.jpg

[Ken Robb]

+1,000.

You really can't go wrong with it.

I'll present this as evidence...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8417/8914981944_1aa3276c1d_b.jpg

I'd like this a little better with silver shifters but it is a very handsome bike.

[christian]

I'd like it a little less with a crank with a chest wound, too. Lovely!

[FlashUNC]

I'd like this a little better with silver shifters but it is a very handsome bike.

If Campy had bothered to keep Athena as Ultrashift, I would have gladly gone that route.

[slidey]

MXL + 7800.

I suggest this as I've got the same combo going (here (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=126485)).

[donevwil]

Go 7800 but ditch the Star Trek crank for something more frame appropriate like older Dura Ace, Campy, etc.

[cnighbor1]

Suntour Superbe Pro components. (not suntour superbe) I have a Schwinn Paramount built by Waterford in 88 with that set up and it is a dream to ride
Charles

[Aaron O]

Campy 10 sp record...it's period appropriate, it works great, it looks great it will hold value better and it's repairable. Bonus - it can be had relatively inexpensively.

I honestly can't see a single plus for DA.

[donevwil]

I honestly can't see a single plus for DA.

Except that it reads as though the OP already has a DA gruppo in hand.

[Aaron O]

Except that it reads as though the OP already has a DA gruppo in hand.

That's a biggie - you do have a point :p

[2wheelwill]

that's the dilemma - i have all three groups (Record 10sp, 7800 and 9000) sitting in boxes ready to go…..literally been undecided for a month.

Majority seems to suggest 7800 is the way to go. I was kinda leaning that way but was thinking of using 7900 shifters for a cleaner look. But that means swapping out for a 7900 front der. as well (for compatibility). Kinda starts being a mix-mash of parts…..ughhhh.

[donevwil]

that's the dilemma - i have all three groups (Record 10sp, 7800 and 9000) sitting in boxes ready to go…..literally been undecided for a month.

Majority seems to suggest 7800 is the way to go. I was kinda leaning that way but was thinking of using 7900 shifters for a cleaner look. But that means swapping out for a 7900 front der. as well (for compatibility). Kinda starts being a mix-mash of parts…..ughhhh.

Good problems to have ! It's an MXL and will be awesome regardless of the path you take.

[oldpotatoe]

that's the dilemma - i have all three groups (Record 10sp, 7800 and 9000) sitting in boxes ready to go…..literally been undecided for a month.

Majority seems to suggest 7800 is the way to go. I was kinda leaning that way but was thinking of using 7900 shifters for a cleaner look. But that means swapping out for a 7900 front der. as well (for compatibility). Kinda starts being a mix-mash of parts…..ughhhh.

Put Record on it(it IS a Merckx, afterall) but find some 10s DT shifters and some non ERGO brake levers.

[CDollarsign]

I would most definitely go Campy, but the new 11 speed Ultegra group would look pro with the dark grey...

[Jeff N.]

Campt SR-11 with Fulcrum Racing Zeros or Campy Shamals, all with red accents. Bbbbbbbbad! Full tilt boogie, m'man. Jeff N.

[jr59]

Man, just decide! hard to make a bad pick from those groups.

The weather is nice and the road and a great frame is waiting on you.

Draw cards, flip some coins, throw darts, all this waiting is burning up ride time!

You can't go wrong with any of it. It's a bike, not art,build it and go ride it!





P.S. Spoken by a guy (me) who has had a custom Ti rando frame and parts to go on it for almost a year! :eek: So who am I to say anything!:cool:

[witcombusa]

Put Record on it(it IS a Merckx, afterall) but find some 10s DT shifters and some non ERGO brake levers.

Agree ;)

Here's my '98 w/9sd

[sjauch2]

that's the dilemma - i have all three groups (Record 10sp, 7800 and 9000) sitting in boxes ready to go…..literally been undecided for a month.

Majority seems to suggest 7800 is the way to go. I was kinda leaning that way but was thinking of using 7900 shifters for a cleaner look. But that means swapping out for a 7900 front der. as well (for compatibility). Kinda starts being a mix-mash of parts…..ughhhh.

That solves it then, 9000 it is. Build it up and lets see some photos.

[christian]

That solves it then, 9000 it is. Build it up and lets see some photos.[x] Like.

[texbike]

Another vote for the 7800. The group and the bike are from the same time period and the 7800 stuff works sooooo nicely.

Texbike