Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra X2

Hi!

I think we can all agree that this is the greatest photo found on the internet:

I´ve been wanting a bike like that for quite a while (more than I´ve been wanting the semi-mullet on the awesome dude).

After some hesitation I got around to buy a frame just like it.

A Corsa Extra in the Team Stuttgart colour scheme (Columbus SLX), or the PK Banken colour scheme as it´s "known" here in Sweden (The bike on the right in the pics below).
Although there is a full specification chart on the right side of the picture, I will have a pretty relaxed view on how good a picture match is nescessary, mostly because I don´t to throw too much money away. The groupset will almost certainly be Campa CdA, which means I must take another bike apart. But I won't for example try to find a white Turbo Special as they seem to be rather pricey, but if anyone know where I can find a white ordinary Turbo for a decent price, let me know!

I will probably keep the fitted headset, although I can´t identify what make it is, anyone?

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Awesome frames of their day, really enjoyed mine. Would still like a Motorola one day.:

Fitted headset looks like a stronglight delta maybe?

Gah, you have two? Really nice.

Looking forward to seeing the build and the hair - there was something quite great about 80s bike style

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That same photo inspired me to build my Team Stuttgart. :-)

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/13629498/

wintyDono

After a bit of googling, I found that the headset is probably a Miche, and thats Italian enough for me, it stays.

The other frame, a Merckx Corsa Extra in Team Telecom colors, is a couple of years younger, possibly from 91/92. It is in good condition, but not as good as the Stuttgart frame, which looks pretty much like new.

I intend to rebuild the Telecom one(in Columbus TSX) with a lot of the components that were fitted when I bought it. There is an issue with the rear dropout alignment and/or the derailleur hanger. I have ordered some tools to try to straighten it up, might need some advice on that later...

Chorus RS group to be fitted on the Telecom:

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Frame came out alright after a coat of wax

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Isn't that cranckset Athena?

With those extractors I think it's croce d'aune. Looks same as athena otherwise iirc. And chorus a more lumpy shape.

Im not swearing by anything, but I think it is this crankset:
http://www.velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=37989b65-b429-4f34-bc5b-19d3a4169832&Enum=115

Your Stuttgart is a really nice build btw, very close to what Im aiming for.

A nice, white leather saddle seems like a must on this build, suggestions?

Repro Turbo?

(not sure about the niceness tbh)

Ordered!

I think this is a Chorus crankset, not Athena (came in different shape and plastic bolt covers).

I have got a cool stem to go with the Telecom build, a Cinelli R1 wit the name "Conny Berg" pantographed.
I have no idea who Conny Berg is, google came up with nothing, but I really like the stem and it´s a pretty cool name. The issue though is that the wedge is missing, it seems like a replacement wedge is super expensive.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cinelli-1R-stem-handlebar-fixing-wedge-Vintage-Bicycle-FREE-SHIP-USA-NOS/272816332077?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41376%26meid%3D275cf04ea6754060bb312cffd45ce0ac%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D352222799963&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

Are there any other solutions? Makeshift wedge?

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That guys always expensive, and he's a real dick as well. Try find a cheap donor stem.

Ran into a hurdle when working on the donor bike for the Stuttgart, 3,5mm hex needed for the delta brakes. One is on its way, but for now I will concentrate on the Telecom for a while.

This is the donor bike for the Stuttgart, I´m a little hesitant to take it apart as I´ve spent some time fixing it upp with new decals, touch paint, etc. But it´s a Benotto and it´s in Cromor, so the CdA will suit the Stuttgart better in the end.

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Trying to align the dropouts on the Telecom, haven´t done this before but I think it´s sort of alright now, the derailleur hanger is also sorted (I think, haven´t done that before either).

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Rear mech isn’t CdA, as well as seatpost, headset. Not trying to be over-criticizing, just noticed in case you haven’t look it up. Might be worth checking other components as well (can’t tell from 1 pic).

DOs look good, I bet many of us ride with dropouts aligned much worse! It’s the rear derailleur hanger that’s most important.

Well spotted Pawlus, seatpost def not CdA, just some random modern kalloy.
I´ve bought a campa aero of some sort (athena/chorus/CdA) which will be close enough.

I can´t be bothered changing headsets, so the Mice one on the Stuttgart will stay as I think it´s look alright.
As for the rear mech, I´m pretty sure it is in fact a CdA (but a late version), look at this 1991 catalogue:

But feel free to convince me otherwise :)

Ohhh you are right and I was wrong about the rear derailleur. I never realized CdA Mech came in this form, identical to Record. Good for you then!

It´s not the CdA derailleur that first comes to mind, is it. Functionwise I Think it´s very similar to the derailleurs that were used for the later 8sp, or the Record as you mentioned .

But this one is obv. 7sp with the Syncro II (?) indexing system.
A bit worried about setting it up, as I understand that they are notoruiously hard to get working properly...pointers appreciated!

You are right. This rear mech. was first issued for the Syncro II (8 speed) shifters and works like a charm. I had one in combination with the Syncro II's and the setup isn't that hard.
The mech. was the same for Record, CdA and Chorus and was issued for only a small period of time (one year I think) before they came up with separate Chorus and Record rear mechs.