Eddy Merckx Frame Identification

[Mike V]

I have a MX Leader with H on drive side and G 5904 on non drive side.

[Emerxil]

early 1997

[rohan]

I would love for you to tell me more about my Merckx. My understanding is that it is a 1986-87 Corsa Extra in Team ADR colors, but I could never find a catalog to confirm.

Left side of bottom bracket shell:
4X
J

Right side:
A
8057

I'll have to post some pictures in the spring when it's not snowing!

[Emerxil]

Corsa Extra SLX (if 4=54cm seat tube) or SLX/SPX (if 4=64cm). A8057 - built in early 1988; ADR is my favourite "team camo" in EMC

[rohan]

Thank you so much! Yes, it's a 54.

Do you know when they switched to internal routing for the Corsa Extra? This one doesn't have it, but I have seen others that do.

Originally Posted by Emerxil

Corsa Extra SLX (if 4=54cm seat tube) or SLX/SPX (if 4=64cm). A8057 - built in early 1988; ADR is my favourite "team camo" in EMC

[Emerxil]

Internal cable routing was introduced as an option in 1984 in Professional and Pro models, later it was available in other models. In Corsa Extra you can find both ways of cable routing - even in team frames.

[Emerxil]

Originally Posted by jet sanchez

Mine says Corsa Extra but there is no tubing decal and it has a Leader fork.

Found it on CL, it had been doing trainer duty for many years in the basement of a friend of Walter Godefroot who was the coach for Telekom.

It seems that it is one of Olaf Ludwig's racing rigs from the 1995 season as that was the only year that this colour scheme was used.

F 1386

The situation has changed unexpectedly... By accident, while looking for information about titanium EMC I found such a photo:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joehendrix/3087113016
...and then I searched for a photo from TdF94 - the whole Telekom team had bikes in painting pattern 95, they were introduced as early as in summer 1994. As you can see, Zabel bicycle is also a "compounder", but "the other way around", that is Mx Leader frame + Corsa Extra fork. Since they did it this way they could do it in a different way, and your frame number fits perfectly into the "spring series" produced before TdF. Chances that it's authentic increased to 99%

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

[velomateo]

The best of the Telekom liveries.

What a great bike.

[Didge]

Folks,

I just brought this Merckx frame:

Left side

L
8 TTB

Right side

D
5583

It is painted in the telekom team colours. Its a 58cm frame

I am thinking its a Columbus TSX frame produced in 1992.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Tim in Australia

[Emerxil]

D5583 - Century (TSX) built ~January 1993

[Didge]

Originally Posted by Emerxil

D5583 - Century (TSX) built ~January 1993

Thanks for that.

I was told the frame was a Corsa Extra when I brought it. Its painted in Telekon team colours and has a Corsa Extra sticker on the cross bar. It seems that it has a lot of original paint on the frame to me but I am a novice at this.

Is it being a Century a bad thing compared to a Corsa Extra? Were Centuries painted in team colours as this one is?

Again your knowledge is very much appreciated.

Tim

[tv_vt]

Emerxil, or anyone else,

With all the hype of the Merckx MXL frames back in the day, what are its actual palmares? What races were won on this tank of a frame (quoting others, not my impression...)? Did it actually take First place in any big races, or was it just a respectable also-ran, and maybe a bit of an oddity for its stoutness back then?

There are certainly other Merckx frames with something to boast of: the SC, in particular, with wins both in Paris-Roubaix and on top of Mt Ventoux (how many bikes can claim that combo?) and Flanders (I think), plus the Colnago c40s, Pinarello Tour bikes of Indurain, Wiggins, Froome, Thomas, and Bernal, etc.

[Emerxil]

TTB = TSX tubes, century geo; this designation appears only on Century model. If it were a Corsa Extra TSX, it would have a "road racing" geo and would be marked with a TT code. The painting of your frame can be authentic - all "team" patterns can be found on both models. Century and Corsa Extra are top models at EMC.

[Didge]

Originally Posted by Emerxil

TTB = TSX tubes, century geo; this designation appears only on Century model. If it were a Corsa Extra TSX, it would have a "road racing" geo and would be marked with a TT code. The painting of your frame can be authentic - all "team" patterns can be found on both models. Century and Corsa Extra are top models at EMC.

Thanks again. It seems that I have a quality bike whether it be a Century or a Corsa Extra. The frame geometry sounds like it will suit me better. I have not seen the bike yet. Its being shipped to me. Cant wait to get it and take it for a ride.

[Emerxil]

Tour de Romandie 1992, Andrew Hampsten, the guy who is said to have never used Mx Leader... probably won against himself
http://twitter.com/Miroir2Cyclisme/s...838336/photo/1