Date my MX Leader

After asking on here and various other forums I finally managed to get hold of an MX leader through a European source. I have looked at the CADRE site and it looks like it is probably 1996 to 1997 due to the F on the BB, there is also a P denoting a professional frame (does that mean it was ridden by a pro at some point, despite no number hanger, as it isn't a Merckx professional frameset??).

However, it has the small Eddy and large Merckx lettering indicitive of the later (2000s) frames. It is also in a colour scheme I have never seen before, it is quite reminisant of the Podio shoes they brought out in 1994. Anyone have any more info??

Another thing is that the headtube merckx label is a sticker, not paint as on my OS Strada. It is definately an MX leader, the tubing is ridiculous, it tapers down to the BB and also from the top tube into the headtube, can't wait to get it built up with the 9 speed record titanium groupset I have and see how it rides!

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Did you get this from Martktplaats recently? If so, I may have seen this frame in person and know a bit about its history.

Does it have some very mild damage to the top of the top tube, near the head tube, which looks like it has been touched-up slightly with silver paint? Very minor & I was told it was from the rider's sweat.

Let me know.. If it is the same one I have a pic of the bike when it was built-up and may know the year... I was told by the guy who was selling it.

Nice frame, BTW. :)

Hi! Digging, sorry: 1995 frame (don't use cadre.org, there's no E-series from 94/95, P doesn't mean Professional) repainted in EMCycles after 2001; thank you for the interesting photos.

So disappointed. Thought this was a readers wives cuckold thing.

Thank you for your accurate comment.