Eddy Merckx's titanium framework is an intricate subject...
I'm sure you know that:
- Litespeed built ( using only his tubes and frame elements ) the AX, EX, Millennium and Majestic models, placing the "American" pattern of Eddy Merckx stickers on them ( confirmed beginning -1995 )
- EMC bought "raw" frames from Litespeed, painted them in Meise, applied standard stickers and sold them as a Titane model ( almost exclusively an AX model )
- EMC built "its" titanium frames using Litespeed tubes and frame elements (and joining technology - Mr Vranckx was trained in Litespeed), the model was called Titane EM - it was built to order and for profi teams; Titane EM was also built using Columbus Hyperion tubes, but frame elements and joining technology came from Litespeed ( confirmed beginning - 1994 )
- De Rosa used only Columbus Hyperion tubes, but other frame components and frame construction techniques (confirmed to begin with 1992, Titanio model).
- De Rosa sold to EMC the Titanio 1993 model (quantity unknown) raw - after painting it was available as Eddy Merckx Titane (similar to Litespeed)
- only frames built in Meise have EMC serial numbers, the others have retained their manufacturer's markings (Litespeed and De Rosa)
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