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WimVDD
@coventry_eagle...ah hello Ben, yeah cheers for telling the computer that was saying no, yes :)
I tried to take @greeno's advice from a few pages back, about trying to photograph my new Nikor so it looks like the purple it is, rather than the blue I keep capturing.
I rode around looking for a few different back-drops, firstly brick…
...…..then some copper panelling….
....I even found this....
Meh, maybe slightly more purple, but still not really showing its true colour.
Anyway couldn’t dwell on that as finally this weekend I had all the parts to finish building up my other build in the time of Corona, my new Merckx. Massive thanks to my brother’s friend Jonathan in Ontario who shipped the frame to me, and after a long delay because of some pesky virus, I finished putting it all together this afternoon.
I already own a Columbus SLX 1985 Team Panasonic Merckx with lashings of chrome, that I built up with modern 10 speed Campag Chorus. This new one is a rare chrome covered 1988 Merckx made from Reynolds 753, in a similarly rare green camo which had me swooning as soon as I saw it.
I wanted to keep this looking like most 753 bikes were throughout its years at the top of the racing peloton, so the shiniest silver parts I can find, down tube shifters, and pedals with clips and straps. But I wanted to make a few subtle changes that would make it function a bit more 2020, while still looking like an old school steel racer.
Firstly I don’t like the big loopy washing line brake cables of old, so aero brake levers it is. I’ve also opted for some slightly newer Campag Chorus brakes, think they are from the early 90’s, which have double pivot front brake for better braking. The rear is still a single pivot like brakes of old.
For wheels I found some NOS Campag Croce D’Aune 28 hole hubs, and thanks to Banzai bikes who built them up with Sapim spokes and some new Pacenti Brevet wide clincher rims for me. Super plush tubular feel without the tubular hassle. There is easily enough clearance for 28c tyres, but I’ve opted for some 25c Veloflex Corsa Evo's which look less balloon-y. So rear wheel still an old school screw on freewheel, but it has a 28 tooth rear for a large cog, rather than the 21’s those tree trunk thighed old racers had to endure, so I’ll be able to get up more hills.
I totally fell for the super slab of chrome 1st Gen Chorus rear derailleur, and scored an excellent condition 1st Gen Campag Chorus crankset, and some nice Campag pedals with original Campag leather straps, a NOS 3T stem, and some 3T Merckx bend handlebars to complete the shiny ensemble.
Enough chat, some pics.
I LOVE IT!
And here it is with its brother from another mother, my 85 Columbus SLX Merckx Team Panasonic.