Modern Merckx Madness

So, tomorrow I'm picking up this Merckx frame from @Ghirotto, who bought it from @Shroom...

The plan is to take the SRAM Red and wheels off my Donohue, which I don't really get on with, and do the whole modern groupset, old frame thing.

New bars and stem to be added, and new China seatpost. Also need to sand the green colouring off the shifters and mech (SRAM red...green?)

While it won't be a flyweight, I want to try and keep it light-ish. Hopefully sub-8kg.

2 Attachments

Ahhh, that Merckx frame is gorgeous!

How come you don't get on with the Donhou? Is it slightly smaller than the Merckx?

Think the Sram Red is gonna look baller.

I really like that frame. I've been crazy over Max tubing over couple past weeks and going a very similar build right now! Good luck!

Subbed. Disgonbegood

Argh, sad to see you're dismantling the Donohue... saw you post that before and loved it

Both frames look awesome!

Glad the Merckx got snapped up and is getting the treatment it deserves

Sub 8kg that would be nice love the eddy merckx

So, frame collected... looking sweet! Any idea what seatpost bolt I need? (@Ghirotto do you happen to have one?)

Also got 3T status stem, some Cinelli bars, and China seatpost...

Important question, white saddle and bar tape or black? Think I'm leaning towards white at the moment.

@Eamesy yeah, bit too small, felt like I was fighting it when I rode it.

2 Attachments

Starting to look like a bike...

1 Attachment

Nice, I see you don't duck around and quickly build your bikes! I can't wait to see this build up, I'm especially curious how will carbon deep rims look on max frame!

Didn't waste any time building it up did ya? I'll look for the seatbolt this afternoon before I start my pre-drinks drink. Its a lovely frame just a wee bit small for me.

Haha... Well I had most of the parts ready to go. Still need cables, and a decision on white or black saddle and tape.

Enough building for today. BBQ time now.

1 Attachment

I think black for extra HHS points or maybe white/white if you are that alternative kid!

I like!
what's your wheels?

Sebpep built it at 9kg

So, I've sanded the green colouring off the shifters and rear mech. I've also chucked an alloy seatpost and saddle in there to see how it looks. Not sure whether to go with a black saddle and tape after all now...

Also, thinking I might get some 50mm wheels, instead of the 38s...

2 Attachments

Found it! :-)

1 Attachment

Lovely frame! Needs low-profile-rims tho imo...

Donhou eventually up for sale? I´d be interested

So pimp, defo needs black tape and saddle. Also deep rims look spot on!

Is that a Campagnolo seat bolt?

I agree... some shallows would be make it real classy

Definitely going with deep carbon on this one... probably some light bicycle 50mm wheels. Though need to look at the rear brake clearance, I want to get 25s in, but it looks tight. Will need to move the wheel in the dropout and see what space I can free up.

@Ghirotto seat bolt arrived yesterday. Thanks!

So, not much progress made today. Seatbolt received, so proper seatpost fitted. Have had to swap the super light planetx brakes for SRAM red as one of them seems to be broken. New cables required too.

Opinions please, currently got 23c GP4000s on 22mm rims, do we think I'll get some 25c on 25mm rims in at the back? Think the height will be low enough on the wide rims to fit?

2 Attachments

Brake clearance looks fine, usually the chainstays is where you'll run into clearance issues. Deda piega handlebars will look good on this /2p