1990/91 Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra

Although the frame arrived from Poland yesterday it remains in its immaculately packed box for another trip to Lapland - there'll be no peeking until the big day.

Aim is to keep it period-correct, up to a point. Picked up the Athena gear recently but the tyres, tape, plugs and bottle have been kicking around for a while. Annoyingly this is my last roll of tape and I'm about as sick of pestering JD for more as he is of me, but at least it's unopened - ditto the tyres, which have sat around since last Christmas like a relative slow to bugger off once the M&S festive food range has proved an annual disappointment.

Front wheel from the Strada will suffice - HF Record to grey TB14, except shod in the gumwalls. New rear required though - my eBay watch list is full to bursting with NOS 8 speed hubs, and I'll buy a brand new TB14 to match, as the rim used on the Strada shows too much brake-wear for a new build. Only thing I'm uncertain of is whether to stick with DT shifters or make a concession to modernity and have Ergo Levers, but that's to decide later on. I might pick up the odd bit here and there but not until the Argos gets its new wheelbuild will I turn my full attention to this. Very much looking forward to it though.

Excellent! No early sneaky-peek of the frame for us then??

What are you doing for pedals? If you're interested, I've been holding on to a pair of EM "Podio" pedals, but as I only have a track Merckx, they are likely to remain sat unused until my road Corsa Extra ship comes in.

Photo from the seller. It's in very good condition generally but the inside of the fork legs have been smeared in paint right near the crown, which at least won't be much on view once it's built. He disclosed all the frame's faults so with a bit of bartering I secured it for a reasonable price.

Certainly clips and straps - I already have Christophe Special clips and Alfredo Binda straps to be reused, but I'm not keen on the pedals I was previously using so I'm open to offers - if you're willing a PM of them would be appreciated.

EM "Podio" pedals

i have the podio shoes to match with cleats on, close to new. size is around Theoryswine

Oh god I love these type of builds.

You must have fucking immense discipline - I would have shredded open that box by now!!!!!!!!!

Wow, Beautiful frame...love that! I'll send you a PM about the pedals.

^^ Winner! Sounds like its meant to be.

Best Merckx colorway I have seen.

^ +1

Gorgeous frame, P.S.

beauty paul. enjoy the build and ride

Can't wait to see what the built-up frame looks like...

lovely frame

Don't use the bar tape. I have something else you will like. Will put a picture up later.

As it happens I really like the look and feel of the plain white, which will be a spot-on match for this frame - I prefer it over the embossed/pantographed tape if that's what you mean, as it looks scruffy if the text isn't lined up perfectly through a devotion to accurate wrapping I don't have. Interested to see what you've got though.

As it happens I really like the look and feel of the plain white, which will be a spot-on match for this frame - I prefer it over the embossed/pantographed tape if that's what you mean, as it looks scruffy if the text isn't lined up perfectly through a devotion to accurate wrapping I don't have. Interested to see what you've got though.

Or shall i post you another box of white then?

Aye guv. Will PM.

holy shit that is a nice color. Barely anyone is gonna see this ride up in lapland :D

You need this in your collection!

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Already got this. And a cap. And the Adidas shoes. And an injunction from the Merckx family.

after that business with Axel?

He deserved it. Disgrace to the name.

Yep but mine is the autumn/winter version!

I transcend seasonality.

The Merckx brothers
Nice new project you've got there, TheorySwine

i thought you might like this.

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