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@TheorySwine
Hello there,
I have a few frames I'd like to sell to fund the purchase of a better-fitting Merckx, so without further ado and for your delectation/disinterest;
**1 - Diamant.
**
This was bought as NOS from rih - original sale thread is here, although only 1 photo of its original condition remains-
Measurements are listed on rih's thread, but I've taken my own - both are c-t-c.
ST - 57.5
TT - 56
The frame has been well used, it got me to Dunwich, but not abused. I rode it for maybe a year when I first bought it, then for no more than a week more recently as a hack while I was in between builds. There is a nasty scratch on the top-tube, courtesy of the Smithfield Nocturne bike-pile last year, and a couple of other gashes - all are shown.
It is straight and true though, with a pleasing fade colourway. Columbus Thron tubing, Zeus 2000 fork-crown. All bosses/guides intact. It comes with;
1 - English threaded Campag Centaur 111mm BB. Bought brand new at the time of buying the frame so has had equivalent use, but it is in decent condition still.
2 - Tange Levin headset (non NJS) - Again bought brand new but several months after the frame/BB, so has seen 6 months use at most. Very good condition.
Ideal conversion/beater fodder.
SOLD
**2 - Mercian Professional.
**
Another forum purchase, this time from the man like hazzus - original thread is here
You'll see he bought it from Hilary Stone, but did nothing with it as he found something more suitable. I have done much the same thing, except I had the frame number verified with Mercian - despite it costing £10 I can't remember what I did with the details, except I can remember the date as that's what I'm most interested in - it's from January 1978, and it's definitely a Reynolds 531 double-butted Professional.
There are plenty of photos on his thread still, and the accompanying useful Hilary description;
Again I've taken my own measurements, c-t-c for consistency.
ST - 56
TT - 57
My plan was do give it the full Mercian painting treatment, but it's too small for me - my then Mercian lust got the better of me. I've literally done nothing with it. It's an ideal restoration job though - Hilly Ben I'm looking at you. Would like back what both hazzus and I paid please.
SOLD
**3 - Eddy Merckx Strada.
**
This was an ebay purchase, which didn't quite meet the reserve. I didn't bid but contacted the seller afterwards to see if it was still available. It was so I matched the best offer and paid in cash on collection in Streatham. It's by far the most recently ridden frame here - I only finished the build maybe 6 months ago.
It's yet to be stripped though, but that will happen soon. Even though it's too big this has been my current road-bike, and I love it - now that I'm buying a better-fitting Corsa Extra I'm happy to sell this. Measurements again c-t-c, as I'm boring and predictable.
ST - 62
TT - 59
Team Telekom colourway, Columbus Cromor tubing, which some may be sniffy about but this frame rides beautifully - I can only compare its character to being on-board the QE2 in a road-ocean of kayaks. Very comfortable, smooth and somehow authoritative - I'd easily ride 50 miles on this and feel fresh when I finished a fortnight afterwards. I'd gladly keep it but a better-fitting Corsa Extra, in a beautiful colourway with Columbus SLX is too much to resist. I've not ridden it for a couple of months as I'm infatuated with the Argos, and won't be again.
More photos of the frame once it's stripped - barring a nasty scratch on the head-tube where I got overly eager unwrapping it with scissors following its transfer from London to the ongoing hell of Nottingham, it's in very good condition. There's a couple of touch-ups on the TT I was not responsible for, but decals are all excellent. This bike has helped keep me sane this past year.
600 Arabesque headset included - I'm waiting to hear back from the seller about the replacement Merckx BB threading. If it's not Italian the UN54 BB, bought brand new from Fitzrovia Cycles maybe 6 months ago, will also be included. I should hear from him tonight whether I can reuse it. Well matched purple Elite bottle-cage also included.
SOLD
Dibs on the thread followed by a PM if you would.
Even though I'm in Nottingham at present London sales preferred, although I'm not keen on posting - I'd prefer to pop down on a convenient date for both, or if you so happen to be near Nottingham by all means come over and take me back down to live with you rent-free, once you've recovered from my parents' Geordie accents I no longer notice.
Bets regards,
'swine.