Eddy merckx frames in order

[ddtn]

My understanding is that Corsa 01 was the final version of Corsa Extra.

I think by the late 90's, new frame pricing wise, MX Leader was the top dog for steel, Corsa 01 and Arcobalena were the same and Strada was the entry level.

SC Team was the actual top model by then and double the price of MX Leader.

[ddtn]

Also keep in mind that by the mid-late 90's, the real racing bikes were carbon/ti/scandium/alu, so the market for steel Merckx was probably an older slower crowd (hence century geo on all).

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by ddtn

Also keep in mind that by the mid-late 90's, the real racing bikes were carbon/ti/scandium/alu, so the market for steel Merckx was probably an older slower crowd (hence century geo on all).

Maybe a little later..1995 TdF winner, Indurain on a steel bike..1998, Pantani, steel Bianchi. 1999, LA7 was on plastic Trek?
Didn't Ullrich ride a steel Pinarello in early 2000s?? Might have been aluminum(?)..

[Hindmost]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

...1998, Pantani, steel Bianchi...

Alumino, iirc.

[cmg]

i thought the "Century" geometry was for longer rides over a rougher terrain. longer wheelbase, slacker seat tube. Speed depends on the riders capability.

[ddtn]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Maybe a little later..1995 TdF winner, Indurain on a steel bike..1998, Pantani, steel Bianchi. 1999, LA7 was on plastic Trek?
Didn't Ullrich ride a steel Pinarello in early 2000s?? Might have been aluminum(?)..

I remember reading 94 was the last year steel won. The same year lugged carbon won Paris-Roubaix (edit: two years later).

People might be riding steel in the pro tour peloton in the mid 90's, but the wind was shifting very quickly. Elsewhere on track and in other disciplines steel was disappearing quick too.

If you look at old catalogs from the mid-late 90's, steel bikes were always in the middle and back. Manufactures were pushing 'exotic' materials big time both on the pro tour scene and to the public.

[ddtn]

Originally Posted by cmg

i thought the "Century" geometry was for longer rides over a rougher terrain. longer wheelbase, slacker seat tube. Speed depends on the riders capability.

That's how it came about. But in this context there's a reason why only non-steel Merckx bikes had more aggressive geometry and all the steel ones had Century – people weren't racing on them as much.

Going back to the original topic: the best Merckx steel frame for me is between Corsa 01 and MX Leader. I also like a good old SXL but you do feel its age and limitations (I'm 6'/185lbs sprinter type). A Corsa 01 with an MXL fork is as good as it gets.

[Hindmost]

Originally Posted by ddtn

...I also like a good old SXL but you do feel its age and limitations...

I believe you're referring to the tube set; in my case it would be the rider.

[Ozz]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

....
Didn't Ullrich ride a steel Pinarello in early 2000s?? Might have been aluminum(?)..

Pinarello Prince? Aluminum with carbon rear I think.....

[cmg]

Originally Posted by Ozz

Pinarello Prince? Aluminum with carbon rear I think.....

Ullrich’s 1997 Pinarello Paris was a custom TIG-welded aluminum affair with Columbus tubing. and what looks like a steel fork. Finishing kit included Time pedals, an anatomic-bend 3T aluminum bar and a 3T forged aluminum threadless stem for a total reported weight of about 9kg (19.8lb).

[monarchguy]

Originally Posted by VC Slim

MIA is the Criterium model. 75° seat tube angle. 65mm BB drop. SLX main tubes. SP seat stays.

As above, missing the criterium model. I have both the road race and crit geos, and the crit is so much fun. Anyone wants to part with one in a 52/53, let me know...

Dan