Merckx Corsa 01 Build with help from LFGSS

Just finished my Merckx build Corsa 01 with help from a couple of people on this forum who supplied wheels and Athena group.

Not sure about my choice of saddle but it was NOS in perfect condition, and it is the saddle I have used on other bikes

I have owned an old Hugh Porter bike with down tube shifters and also an old A Shorter bike both quite nice but wanted to upgrade, so I joined this forum, watched, learned, and then decided on a Merckx Corsa 01. i found the frame in South London, not on here, and then looked up what I thought it might have had as running gear. I then bought from here the Athena set, a spare set of Athena shifters in case I broke the first set as I am new to these type of gears. I then set about putting it all together hoping it would all work out. The bar tape I purchased from Ebay from a French guy it was old stuff from Nid 1990 I was informed. Then buy looking on Video's online learned how to set up all the kit. My tool kit was purchased by my Children as a present, but I still needed to loan a few tools from a friend at work. The cables were all new, and maybe I should have gone for a different colour but I can always change these. I tried to match all the accessories to the frame which has Red and chrome but graphics which seem to be all original have white yellow and some blue in them so this led to my choices. I am still to think about pedals but may use my Campag with toes clips off my Alan Shorter bike until I decide where to go as it may be time for me to man up to a cleated pedal and footwear, as I may need to start to move with the times. I am 57 and am hoping to improve my riding on this bike, do some group rides and improve my fitness as I am recovering from a heart attack from last year. The reason I decided to post here is to firstly thank all bloggers on here who helped and advised, and also to get feedback on the bike as it stands. I like to think that I have selected and put together something that would be close to how it may have been used when it first hit the road, but cannot be sure. I an here to learn and have greatly enjoyed building up this project that I hope to use for as long as I can then pass onto my son who will have to make do with my Alan Shorter when he visits. Any comments suggestion I would welcome.

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Thanks MR BUMP & BOGGY for your parts supplied and help.

I'm more inclined to black saddle and bars myself, but otherwise it looks cracking, well done. Campagnolo ergopower is good stuff.

That looks smokin'. Bit like scrambled eggs and ketchup with the bar tape but that's NOT a criticism, it works. Agree with TH, prob a black concor saddle or a better matching red maybe? Really glad it's come all good together and give me a shout if you fancy a Sunday ride, can easy meet up between here and Chi.

Stunning!
Not sure about the bartape though.
Black would be my pick.

Very very nice! How are you finding the ergo shifters? I'm considering switching to them myself.

slam that stem please - bars should never be higher than the saddle!

Other wise, very nice, apart from the bartape :)

he's 57. guess his back flexibility makes nodder setup justifiable. even on a picture.

Even if you're not going to ride it like that - you should still make the pretty bike pretty for the photograph :)

yeah thanks for comments on my merckx after using downshifters for years ergos are great i even bought a spare set to use when i wear these out and need to restore or renovate so i have a good spare set. I think i will be sticking with these although i still have my Alan Shorter bike with downshifter for going down the pub,

yeah stem is a bit high and i expected that comment but it gets a bit lower each week as I recover from my heart attack and build up my strength again. I might even die on this bike!