The Merckx Full Circle Project

In 1992 I went on holiday with my best mate from school, Carl, and his family. It was a Butlins style holiday park. But this was the place that the people who went to Butlins looked down upon.

Carl and I were 14. We were into football, crap music and cider. This holiday afforded us the chance to indulge in none of these pastimes.

There was a beach where you could see some oil-rigs, an arcade with gambling machines we weren’t allowed to play, and a group of girls, who we were chased away from, by a group of boys.

Oh, and…there was cable TV.

I had never had cable TV.

I had never seen the Tour de France.

But on the third day of our holiday I switched on the TV, flicked through the exotic European TV channels and paused as I chanced upon something totally alien. A bike race. A ‘live’ bike race. Complete with fuzzy pictures and glorious helicopter shots and mad rambling commentary.

I was mesmerized by the way the peloton moved - so fluid and alive. The sea of colours seemed to work as one, but within the kaleidoscope of bodies I could see matching outfits - separate teams, but seemingly in co-operation with each other.

That was it. I had the bug. I didn’t know what I was watching, but I couldn’t stop. I spent the rest of the holiday glued to the TV. In 4 days time I would arrive home in Teesside. Carl would no longer be my best friend. Football would no longer be my sport of choice. Cycling was the future.

Bikes would be bought. Posters would be posted. Idols would be adored. Miles would be ridden. Clubs would be joined. Legs would be shaved. Races would be lost.

And here I am many years later. I’ve just bought a Merckx Corsa Extra in Telekom colours to build up. By total coincidence it is from 1992. I just realised the significance of this. To me at least.

I apologise for the lengthy prologue. But, fuck it, it's the most insincere apology you could imagine, ‘cos this is my first real 'project' bike.

And it’s for the 14 year old me.

I'm filled with anticipation for you mate. Oh the fun ahead !

This should be awesome then!

I spent the last few weeks burning holes into my eyes searching ebay for bikes and lfgss for information on bikes. Many thanks by the way. This forum is full of good info.

I had whittled my desires down to a Colnago or a Merckx from the 80s or 90s. Nostalgia had kicked in, as I was subconsciously finding bikes that were from the era when I first got interested in cycling.

I found a Merck in Kelme colours on ebay. A few emails were exchanged. A bid was made. But no joy. The seller wasn't budging from £550. And I didn't have that.

Despondency.

Start again.

Burning more holes into my eyeballs.

And then I found another one. In Telekom colours. I like that. Only problem, it was a full bike on ebay for over £1000.

I sent a tentative email to the seller, enquiring about a split. And to my joy, he was very receptive. He made a suggestion, I made a suggestion. And bingo, a deal was struck.

Happy days.

The seller was a joy to deal with as well.

I'm at work. And I just received word from home. It has arrived. GOD I WANT TO GO HOME.

http://imageshack.us/a/img844/746/bikebox.png

Thanks fellas.

I don't know how much of this I'm gonna do with my own hands yet. Or how much I'll need help with. It doesn't matter really. Either way, I'm excited.

Let it begin.

Haha great read, you have a good story telling style!

Good luck with the build, I've recently finished my second project bike and truely love the build process. The hunt for parts, the knowledge gained through forums and youtube videos, and the satisfaction when you succeed with removing those cottered cranks!

There are plenty of helpful people willing to share their knowledge on this forum, you have come to the right place!

p.s. I remember Teeside / Boro high street well from the 90's, grew up in Whitby so not to far away.

This Is great. I hope it lives up to your expectations!

Thanks dr3wid and JB.

I'll be taking pics of the frame tonight of course. Then it's all about the hunt for the right parts.

I only ride a fixed gear these days, as I primarily commute. I certainly don't do 90mile Sunday expeditions anymore.

And for that reason I'm gonna build this up as a fixed gear.

Period correct will be nice. But a balance will have to be struck with affordability too.

So any opinions/suggestions welcome on everything including:

• Hubs
  
• Rims
  
• Bars
  
• Seat
  
• Seatpost
  
• Cranks
  
• Pedals
  
• And even bloody bar tape
  
  

PS @ Dr3wid - Good old Whitby, another of our holiday destinations, except infinitely better than the Butlins-esque place above!

Didn't someone on here have lots of this spare:

Needs that if you can choose the right colour.

Didn't someone on here have lots of this spare:

Needs that if you can choose the right colour.

I spent about 4 hours reading the flipping 'Bar Tape Porn' thread the other night!

Colour is the problem.

I don't want to build up something exactly the same as previous builds. It's gotta have a bit of individuality in there, a bit of me.

For that reason, I'm thinking I should stay away from the standard black saddle / black tape. But then what ...

Colours in the frame are black, white, lilac and pink.

I'm guessing I don't want a pink saddle too though !

Tricky, very tricky.

nice frame ... shame about those girls at butlins though !

nice frame ... shame about those girls at butlins though !

Yeah they were smoking-hot!

That's the 14yr old me saying that of course.

No one overtook me on the way home last night.

I didn't even waste time sucking any wheels.

I got home. Walked the dog. Got home again. Then made a brew for the glorious unveiling. The previous owner had packaged it up with the care and attention of someone who had owned this for 20 years. He hasn't sold it, he's entrusted the ownership to someone else for a while.

So after I'd plucked out the little air pouches he'd stuffed the box with (the dog loved them) I was able to remove the frame. It looked like something out of the Wicker Man.

http://imageshack.us/a/img203/8760/bikewickerman.jpg

Cup of tea at the ready, I spent the next hour carefully peeling away the gaffer tape and cardboard from around the tubes.

This is me. Sherlock's in the bottom corner there, eagerly awaiting every bit of cardboard I threw away. And yes, I am wearing a cap, 'cos I was all excited and stuff.

But As I took the packaging away from the seat tube - to my horror - I noticed a blue sticker. I can't remember that being there. What the fuck is it!?

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/5550/bikeme.jpg

Once I'd removed all the packaging, I proceeded to panic. As you do.

It was an old old sticker. 20 years old apparently. It was the bike shop who sold the frame to the original owner. They're called Bike It, they're still going:

http://www.bike-it.uk.com/

Anyway, it looked pretty steadfastly on there. And I'm not the handiest of hands, so I was scared of what damage I might do to the paintjob if I tried to remove it.

After dropping my panic bomb all over the 'Ask Any Question' thread, I had a few answers.

• Nail Varnish Remover
  
• Fire
  
• Grinder
  
• Hair Dryer
  
• WD40 Overnight Soak
  
  

I went with the WD40 and as usual everything looks better in the morning. It came off in about 2 minutes, just pushing gently with a plastic credit card kinda thingymebob.

Stickerless...

http://imageshack.us/a/img6/1024/bikeposters.jpg

gorgeous!

Stunning frame. Probably the best Merckx colourway IMO.

Also clearly needs a white Regal and white bartape.

'Tis nice isn't it :)

White saddle - you think? I'm just not sure.

Was contemplating a two tone bar tape, or doing that harlequinn pattern malarkey, so that it could compliment one or both the colours in the frame.

Also, what's the opinions on touching up paintwork? The majority of the frame is in very good condition for a 20yr old. The chainstay has a good cluster of chippage though.

Just my two cents.

Whatever you do, it absolutely definitely needs a black quill stem. :)

I'd leave any paint chips unless there are rust issues. Patina = good.

I do love the Regal saddle.

Surely there has to be chrome seatpost / chrome stem ... or ... black post / black stem correlation though?

gorgeous!

yup am liking his trousers too !

wow .. just wow
that looks such a nice bike
even the shamal stickers almost match the tone in the paint
one of the nicest bikes i've ever seen and about the only time i have seen shamals looking good

yup am liking his trousers too !

Top of the line, aerodynamic, lounging pants!

I do love the Regal saddle.

Surely there has to be chrome seatpost / chrome stem ... or ... black post / black stem correlation though?

Polished silver seatpost and black stem is totally period correct. It was a brief period that it was in fashion, but lots of the Corsa Extras in those colours have black stems and I think it's great against the black paint.

If you want something not quite as deep as Shamals, and a lot cheaper (and lighter), then take a look at the Planet X AL30 (but whatever the fixed version is). I have some on my Concorde Squadra, and they look and feel great.

Shame it won't have groupset gears, but period Campagnolo parts always look good, especially the aero seatposts. I'd go for modern brakes if it were me, though.

I'm a fan of ergo bars (especially with ergo levers obviously), so didn't bother with period bars. Deda Newton 215s are a good lightweight all-rounder. A Grammo stem is nice if you want to shave off 100g odd off the front.

I have been mostly imagining clinchers. On 28h hubs. And yeah, if I can get period correct campag in there, I will.

So was thinking Campag Record Aero seatpost, Merckx panto stem to match. Campag hubs.

It came with a Campag Record headset.

I like the style of those Grammo stems, but would much sooner go for a Merckx panto, especially if I can get one cheaper.

Great to see some opinions though, it's all helping.