GCN review of eddy merckx's 1972 colnago super

[dancinkozmo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezSRzhZKUXU

[zmalwo]

Donno much about classic bikes but are Eddy Merckx just repainted Colnagos?

[fiamme red]

Originally Posted by zmalwo

Donno much about classic bikes but are Eddy Merckx just repainted Colnagos?

For a time he rode Colnagos with the Eddy Merckx decals. Of course, once he retired and started his own company, his bikes were made in the Merckx factory.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...a-colnago.html

The relationship with Colnago did not end after the Hour Record, as per Eddy himself, he rode Colnago made frames from 1971 to 1973.

Here's a list of the frames ridden in competition by Eddy, per a 2003 interview of Eddy by Brett Horton:

1965, Superia branded frames, manufactured by Superia for Solo-Superia team.
1966, Peugeot branded frames, manufactured by Peugeot for Peugeot-BP team.
1967, Peugeot branded frames, manufactured by Peugeot and Masi for Peugeot-BP team.
1968, Faema branded frames, manufactured by Masi for Faema team.
1969, Eddy Merckx branded frames, manufactured by Terryn and Van der Este for Faema team.
1970, Eddy Merckx branded frames, manufactured by Pela for Faema team.
1971-1973: Eddy Merckx branded frames, manufactured by Colnago and Kessels for Molteni team.
1974-1976, Eddy Merckx branded frames, manufactured by Kessels and DeRosa for Molteni team.
1977, Eddy Merckx branded frames, manufactured by DeRosa for Fiat team.
1978, Eddy Merckx branded frames, manufactured by DeRosa for C&A team.

The Eddy Merckx branded bicycles manufactured by Falcon and Miyata were solely licensing agreements. Merckx did not ride these frames in competition.

[bart998]

Originally Posted by zmalwo

Donno much about classic bikes but are Eddy Merckx just repainted Colnagos?

As I understand it... while he was racing he rode bikes built for him by Colnago and De Rosa. After he retired he set-up a frame shop in Belgium.

[Nomadmax]

"Steel seat pin" ?

I would have liked to seen what the top tube measured as well.

[Black Dog]

Well they may not know a lot about old bikes and their tech but at least they recognize the importance and cool factor and appreciate the history and heratige of the sport.

[colker]

Originally Posted by Nomadmax

"Steel seat pin" ?

I would have liked to seen what the top tube measured as well.

I want to know the BB drop and chainstay length.

[Hindmost]

Something wrong about the quick releases and the handlebar angle.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by zmalwo

Donno much about classic bikes but are Eddy Merckx just repainted Colnagos?

As mentioned, 1971/2 Colnagos then to DeRosa until he retired in 1978. Merckx from Merckx started in 1980 and the geometry for these were very DeRoas-esque. No Merckx factory till 1980.

Opps, asked and answered above.

[Tandem Rider]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

As mentioned, 1971/2 Colnagos then to DeRosa until he retired in 1978. Merckx from Merckx started in 1980 and the geometry for these were very DeRoas-esque. No Merckx factory till 1980.

Opps, asked and answered above.

I was told by Eddy at a trade show in '81ish that Ugo helped him set up his factory. (I was trying to get a dealership) I have no reason to doubt it. Probably explains a lot of the frame details too.

[HTupolev]

Originally Posted by Nomadmax

"Steel seat pin" ?

Apparently it also has a "13-16" 5-speed "cassette."

And apparently Merckx was "ahead of his time" by using a 38cm handlebar in the 70s, even though that was extremely common at the time.

And apparently "SL" stands for "Stiffness and Lightweight" rather than "Superleggera" like on every other Italian product ever.

And apparently the width of a Veloflex tire - a brand which was established in the 1980s - tells us that Merckx was using 19mm in 1972.

And...

Sigh.

Another GCN retro video being a GCN retro video.

[colker]

Originally Posted by HTupolev

Apparently it also has a "13-16" 5-speed "cassette."

And apparently Merckx was "ahead of his time" by using a 38cm handlebar in the 70s, even though that was extremely common at the time.

And apparently "SL" stands for "Stiffness and Lightweight" rather than "Superleggera" like on every other Italian product ever.

And apparently the width of a Veloflex tire - a brand which was established in the 1980s - tells us that Merckx was using 19mm in 1972.

And...

Sigh.

Another GCN retro video being a GCN retro video.

Anyone can gather all the right info on the web if dilligent and have a modicum of passion for the subject. That bit of "explanation" on Columbus SL is beyond ridiculous. Those GCN videos have too much talk and very little to inform.

[fignon's barber]

Maybe I'm oversimplifying things, but I just enjoyed looking at the video of the bike and the condition.