Merckx "Race" riding info????

[CarlosContreros]

Hey!
I'm wondering if anyone has spent anytime on a Merckx "Race" frameset.

I currently have an oportunity to purchase a 62cm "Race" with Campy
Chorus equipped for $1600.(it's 6 months old..and price doesn't include the wheels).
Great deal!....considering a similary equipped would retail for around $3600.
The 62 would be a good fit for me.....especially considering Merckx tweaked his geometry a year or two ago and made the top-tube just a little longer...
at the same time giving wheelbase a lengthening as well.

My problem???.....I'm just wondering if the "Race" is as good of a bike as
the "Team SC"...the race retails for a few hundred dollars less.
I think my main concern is durability??..considering I weigh around 195....
I know it has won Paris-Roubaix(Pete Vetegem.sp?)so it can't be too flimsy!

I also have other considersations.....buy a Merckx MX?(I have a deposit on one)..or buy a Legend ti(built by a "fledgling company in up-state New York..... :D )....that is a sweeeeeet! bike!! just some concerns over fit?????

These are kinda stressing me a bit....because I'm really just a "1-bike man"
unlike most of you who own 4-5 bikes minimum.
Any advice will be considered!!

[Climb01742]

if you're a one-bike guy, i might suggest choosing one that is "extraordinary" or special in some respect. while a nice frame, i guess i wouldn't consider a merckx race very special or excelling in any particular area.

of those you mentioned, i'd vote for either the MXL or legend. the legend would be a great bike in many respects. especially if you have only one bike, having it be ti makes it a no-worries all-weather frame. and it's performance can be great.

the MXL is, IMO, just a truly remarkable frame. no, it's not "modern" or high zoot, but damn, it's a fine machine. i've been riding mine a lot lately over some amazingly cruddy roads and it absorbs bad roads and remains unflustered to an amazing degree.

there are many definitions of what makes a frame "special". my .02 is, if you're only gonna have one frame, choose the definition of "special" that means the most to you and go for it. i think both a legend and MXL are "special". good luck.

[CarlosContreros]

Hey climb!
Thanks for sharing your opinion!
Ya know......I've had to "get by" with a Col Al for the past
5 years so maybe I should "indulge" and go with a different
type of frame material.
I don't buy very often(duh!)....so maybe I should go
ahead and get something that is indeed special considering
it and myself will have to live together for at least the
next 5-6 years!
I will now chage my "mindset" a bit...and put more thought
into the MX Leader(Motorola colors) and the Legend ti(bare...but
destined to be big-boy-blue if in my "sweaty palms"!).

But then?....the flip-side of the coin is a Merckx "Race" for $1600. with
Campy Chorus(I've never owned Campy!..never!)..this is from all
I've read a great bike....very close performance-wise to the Team SC.

[coylifut]

I have tendency to used when ever possible. Climb makes a good point of buying something that you deem special. However, used top quality cycling gear tends to go for 1/2 price or less. Hard to pass up.

[Tony Edwards]

Hey climb!
Thanks for sharing your opinion!
Ya know......I've had to "get by" with a Col Al for the past
5 years so maybe I should "indulge" and go with a different
type of frame material.
I don't buy very often(duh!)....so maybe I should go
ahead and get something that is indeed special considering
it and myself will have to live together for at least the
next 5-6 years!
I will now chage my "mindset" a bit...and put more thought
into the MX Leader(Motorola colors) and the Legend ti(bare...but
destined to be big-boy-blue if in my "sweaty palms"!).

But then?....the flip-side of the coin is a Merckx "Race" for $1600. with
Campy Chorus(I've never owned Campy!..never!)..this is from all
I've read a great bike....very close performance-wise to the Team SC.

May I ask where the bike is being sold? I might be interested if you don't take it.

[CarlosContreros]

TE......
There are 2 for sale on roadbikereview.com....a 59 and a 62.
Please......deal with these guys on your own...in other words..work
your own deal.
They both are "complete" bikes!!.................
good luck!! :)