Fuchsia colored Merckx

[DCilliams]

Has anyone seen an all fuchsia colored Eddy Merckx Professional or Corsa in the wild? Man, some of these Merckx's have the best color combos. :banana:

[thwart]

Man, some of these Merckx's have the best color combos. :banana:
Yep.

Wild stuff.

[jtakeda]

There's one in SF I used to see around. I believe I also saw an ad on CL because it was stolen.

[johnmdesigner]

Has anyone seen an all fuchsia colored Eddy Merckx Professional or Corsa in the wild? Man, some of these Merckx's have the best color combos. :banana:

You mean this?
As you can see it never really fit me but the color was wonderful.
I had it. I sold it.:crap:

[zmudshark]

A fuchsia Merckx is okay, but all Merckx's originated from the master. I just call it pink.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vlbYXpLnyqc/SxACcr22uzI/AAAAAAAADM4/Z14us51XVoY/s576-Ic42/PB270006.JPG

[Emerxil]

Maybe it could be useful to someone...
Fuchsia - Lotto 1987, fuchsia/white - Lotto 1988 ( it was also supposed to be 1989 but... something went wrong)

[Lanternrouge]

These pictures are making me feel about 30 years younger.

[gbcoupe]

These pictures are making me feel about 30 years younger.

Wish that pill worked for me.

[VC Slim]

Raced this 1992 Merckx Criterium for 15 years then had Nick Crumpton build an SL frameset to match the same geometry.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=85&pictureid=564

[texbike]

Raced this 1992 Merckx Criterium for 15 years then had Nick Crumpton build an SL frameset to match the same geometry.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=85&pictureid=564

Ha! I'm glad that you piped up Slim. I was going to mention your bike. It's probably seen more race action than any other pink Merckx in the entire US. ;)

Do you miss it?

Texbike

[Spaghetti Legs]

Mine isn’t pink but it does scream ‘80’s. Not sure what this color is called but I recently learned it was the Kelme team color for a year or two.

https://live.staticflickr.com/4499/37648622310_977861b831_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ZmT2KL)

[Emerxil]

The Criterium frame has a "big" SSC... and such elements were discontinued in 1987. I have not seen the Criterium produced after 1988 (not to mention 1992).
Pro 753 Kelme: if you keep the original card attached to the steering tube, with a bit of luck you will find a painting code (and some other information)

[DCilliams]

Happy to see this post resurrected. Always love me some Merckx in pink.

[colbyh]

Raced this 1992 Merckx Criterium for 15 years then had Nick Crumpton build an SL frameset to match the same geometry.

Whoa, do you have any more details on this? I bought a ringer for this off CL a few years back and wasn't able to match up the serial number. The color, fork, and insanely steep head tube have made it a real pain to track down!

[purplecu22]

I have the white and fuchsia one. Great classic bike. Crazy what prices are now for older merckx's. I still ride mine on sunny days. :banana:

[DCilliams]

I have the white and fuchsia one. Great classic bike. Crazy what prices are now for older merckx's. I still ride mine on sunny days. :banana:

Pic please :hello:

[VC Slim]

The Criterium frame has a "big" SSC... and such elements were discontinued in 1987. I have not seen the Criterium produced after 1988 (not to mention 1992).


Purchased the NOS frameset in 1992 from Freewheeling Bicycles in Austin for $625 sourced from Gita Imports. The TT cable guide braze-ons obviously date it back to the 1980's. 75° ST angle, 65mm BB drop plus SP seat stays gave it a true high strung crit bike feel.

More details.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=85&pictureid=567

https://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=85&pictureid=568

https://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=85&pictureid=569

[VC Slim]

Ha! I'm glad that you piped up Slim. I was going to mention your bike. It's probably seen more race action than any other pink Merckx in the entire US. ;)

Do you miss it?

Texbike

Really enjoyed crits so it fit the bill. I sold the Crumpton and EM framesets as a combo package to a guy in the NE. Don't miss them as I stopped racing in 2010.

The EM Corsa Extra geometry suites my riding preferences and had Nick Crumpton make an SL (including a pump peg) in 2011 to match it. Still going strong with Campy 10sp and 21/23mm tubies.

EM Corsa Extra, 8sp Campy Record
https://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=85&pictureid=570

Crumpton SL and EM Criterium
https://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=85&pictureid=571

[91Bear]

There was a Telekom Merckx MX Leader for sale by a member about three years ago - he was about 90 miles away. I talked myself out of buying it.
I've regretted it since.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showpost.php?p=2099137&postcount=1

[donevwil]

Will be on it's maiden voyage during my ownership this weekend (barring rain). I think the panels are fuchsia, no? According to my wife I'm color blind.

1697991869
1697991870

[Peter P.]

Will be on it's maiden voyage...

Many of the Merckx color schemes are timeless, including yours. To duplicate them on a contemporary frame would be classy.

[Dino Suegiù]

Maybe it could be useful to someone...
Fuchsia - Lotto 1987, fuchsia/white - Lotto 1988 ( it was also supposed to be 1989 but... something went wrong)

The Criterium frame has a "big" SSC... and such elements were discontinued in 1987. I have not seen the Criterium produced after 1988 (not to mention 1992).
Pro 753 Kelme: if you keep the original card attached to the steering tube, with a bit of luck you will find a painting code (and some other information)
I have never owned a Merckx and likely never will, but your replies on all matters Merckx in this and other threads about the brand are definitely useful, impressive, and a good resource.

One learns a lot from your posts. Thank you.

[texbike]

There was a Telekom Merckx MX Leader for sale by a member about three years ago - he was about 90 miles away. I talked myself out of buying it.
I've regretted it since.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showpost.php?p=2099137&postcount=1

You think YOU'VE regretted it... Try being the idiot that sold them! ;)

Texbike

[91Bear]

You think YOU'VE regretted it... Try being the idiot that sold them! ;)

Texbike

I live in San Antonio - just down I-35!

[Emerxil]

Fuchsia Criterium: A8CX A2976(?) - built in spring 1987 (of course it could be sold as NOS in 1992), apart from the "big" SSC has a Silva 2 brake bridge, which can be found practically only in the 1986-1987 EMC bike frame (except Pista - that's another story). Frames in this color were "fashionable" from the end of 1986 (a lot of 3-Athlete frames built then had this color) to the beginning of 1988 - the reason is obvious: Lotto team used this painting only in one season - 1987.
The "middle colour" in the Stuttgart team painting was very similar (maybe identical?). The guys are as good at recognizing colors as the ladies - the guys simply don't bother to call colors and shades precisely. My wife says I can limit myself to "light, dark, suck." - but not for the EMC framework :) By the way: in "Stuttgart" frame cool cable slides, introduced in 1989 and newer number hanger version. TSX?

[donevwil]

...The "middle colour" in the Stuttgart team painting was very similar (maybe identical?). The guys are as good at recognizing colors as the ladies - the guys simply don't bother to call colors and shades precisely. My wife says I can limit myself to "light, dark, suck." - but not for the EMC framework :) By the way: in "Stuttgart" frame cool cable slides, introduced in 1989 and newer number hanger version. TSX?

Yes, TSX sticker, but in this thread (https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=237459&highlight=stuttgart) you made it clear that means little to nothing. I still need to weigh the blue one, frame and fork are easily 1 lb lighter than the Stuttgart which itself is consistent with the numerous SP/SPX frames I've had in the past (heavy).

[paredown]

Coincidence? I spotted this on FB Marketplace--they're asking $800; Warrenton, VA. Listed as a Merckx Strada...

Sure looks Fuschia to me!
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/828994114237447/

My best guess, with help from a well-informed acquaintance from Europe, is that this bike was built around 1987-1988. Condition is used but the bike has been thoroughly cleaned, lubed, and adjusted. The paint isn't perfect - there are scrapes and small chips. See photos for details.

The color is fuchsia, apparently introduced in 1986. The Columbia Matrix steel frame measures out to be a 57cm (22.5" ... my metric tape measure is broken). I ride a 51-52 so it's far too big for me.

The groupset - brake and shift levers, crank, derailleurs, brakes, and hubs - are all Shimano 600. The stem is 3TTT (model unknown) and the handlebars appear to be a 3TTT Record Grand Prix. The chainrings are 52-39. The cassette brand is unknown; it's a 7-speed (13-14-16-19-21-23-26). The seatpost is a Sakae Laprade. As best I can determine, the groupset was sold mostly in the 1988-1991 timeframe, front and rear hubs in the 1988-1999 timeframe, and the other components variously in the 1980s and 1990s so the dates of the components are consistent with the date of the frame. The rims are Matrix ISO C 32-hole, probably made in the late 80s (I believe this was a Trek house brand, made in the USA). The bike also has vintage Mavic Look pedals. The only mechanical thing I didn't try to deal with was the headset ... as you turn the handlebars from side-to-side there's slight detent at about 5-10 degrees on either side of straight forward. Other than that, the handlebars move freely all the way to either side.

An unusual feature of this bike is that the fork – having a flat crown - appears to be from a Corsa. That, plus the Shimano groupset, leads me to believe the original purchaser of this bike bought the frame and built it up rather than buy a full-up factory-built bike.

The Shimano cable housings and stainless cables are new as are the rim brake pads, tires, and tubes. The tires are 700x25 Panaracer Pasela Protite gumwalls. I checked for chain stretch but found it to be fine.

[DCilliams]

Coincidence? I spotted this on FB Marketplace--they're asking $800; Warrenton, VA. Listed as a Merckx Strada...

Sure looks Fuschia to me!
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/828994114237447/

Nice Fuschia example. Priced too high for a Strada.

[Emerxil]

A coincidence? Not exactly... "well-informed acquaintance from Europe" is me. This frame is very unusual: it has the lowest serial number of all Strada known to me and a Columbus Matrix sticker (the Matrix name was quickly replaced by Cromor) - this probably explains the M mark on all early Strada EMs. The fork has a flat crown (known from Professional and Corsa), which was certainly not used in the Strada later on. Whether it's original (because at the beginning it was mounted to the early Matrix-Strada) or not - I can't decide (no data to compare); if a card with the serial number was preserved on the steering tube the matter would be clarified - unfortunately I don't know if it was preserved, I haven't seen it. The frame was built in early 1987.

[paredown]

A coincidence? Not exactly... "well-informed acquaintance from Europe" is me. This frame is very unusual: it has the lowest serial number of all Strada known to me and a Columbus Matrix sticker (the Matrix name was quickly replaced by Cromor) - this probably explains the M mark on all early Strada EMs. The fork has a flat crown (known from Professional and Corsa), which was certainly not used in the Strada later on. Whether it's original (because at the beginning it was mounted to the early Matrix-Strada) or not - I can't decide (no data to compare); if a card with the serial number was preserved on the steering tube the matter would be clarified - unfortunately I don't know if it was preserved, I haven't seen it. The frame was built in early 1987.

Thanks--I had to look up Matrix--and the name change to Cromor was something I didn't know about.

Are Stradas that different than the Corsas and higher models?

[jet sanchez]

My tutti-frutti Merckx has dark pink paint which is pretty close to fuchsia

https://i.imgur.com/b4Rbpq7.jpg

[Emerxil]

Some company had a proprietary name "Matrix" and Columbus had to change it. Strada is the lowest EMC model, built from the cheapest tubes (as for EMC), but retaining the same "road racing" geometry as Professional, Corsa and Corsa Extra. The great advantage of Strada was the possibility of "natural" mounting of cheaper (but good) groups of equipment on it - can you imagine Corsa Extra from Campagnolo Triomphe or Shimano 105? Not really. Its predecessor was the 3-Athlete model. The Corsa is a better model than the Strada: it is a simple continuation of the legendary Professional model - the same geometry (up to Corsa 01) and the same tubes (Columbus SL/SP or Reynolds 531). This model has been preserved because of the fans of "old", decent (and light) tubes - not some "inventions" of the SLX type :) As far as I know, no professional team used Corsa or Strada models. Tutti Frutti is beautiful; Fuchsia shade seems a bit lighter, more pink than in Lotto.

[mistermo]

I'll take your fuchsia Merckx's and raise you a Basso Loto.

https://www.pedalroom.com/p/basso-loto-22080_3.jpg



Or even better a pink/purple Astra.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0699/4265/products/Basso_Astra_violet-pink_RH_501_2048x.jpg?v=1578493643

[colker]

I'll take your fuchsia Merckx's and raise you a Basso Loto.

https://www.pedalroom.com/p/basso-loto-22080_3.jpg



Or even better a pink/purple Astra.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0699/4265/products/Basso_Astra_violet-pink_RH_501_2048x.jpg?v=1578493643

Love those. ESpecially w/ the black/green paint scheme. Basso seat lugs are sweet.

[Fivethumbs]

Will be on it's maiden voyage during my ownership this weekend (barring rain). I think the panels are fuchsia, no? According to my wife I'm color blind.

1697991869
1697991870

Can you pull the fork and see if there is a sticker on the steerer tube with a code? I have the same frame but the lug cutouts on the bottom bracket were left white instead of fuchsia. I wanted to see if my paint code is the same as yours. Here's what mine looks like:

[donevwil]

Can you pull the fork and see if there is a sticker on the steerer tube with a code? I have the same frame but the lug cutouts on the bottom bracket were left white instead of fuchsia. I wanted to see if my paint code is the same as yours. Here's what mine looks like:

I should have taken a picture of it, or logged the text. This pic is the best I have right now, I'll see if I can pull it this weekend (should be able to accomplish that simple task during the Super Bowl)

1697991949