Mx Leader and other bikzzz

Recently-ish I bought an Eddy Merckx Mx Leader - Thanks again @sla30 !!!

Had been searching for quite a while, lusting over peoples past builds and finally found one that fit and was red! Have secretly always wanted a snazzy red merckx so hopefully its snazzy when its fully built.

Currently im trying to decide groupset and wheelset.
It Came with campag 8 speed and campag wheels but Im also thinking maybe going more modern. Currently have ultegra on my ritchey which i could switch over or I have my eye on modern-ish campag chorus and zondas but they would require a good bit of extra moneys.

Decisions Decisions!?!

Im half thinking of building it up as I recieved it (campag 8speed), dialing in the fit and changing to modern parts Later. Atleast then the merckx will get ridden and not sit gathering dust.

Below is a photo of how its sits at the moment. Ill try keep the photos and updates coming!

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Fantastic! Looks in good condition. Merckx looks best with Campa, but on the other hand: I'm rebuilding mine (Corsa Extra built from Max tubing) with 11 speed Ultegra and looks rather good too so far. (It had 10 speed Chorus on it before)

Thanks mate! Yeah paints in great condition with only a few scrapes and blemishes. Plan to order some frame protector tape this week, get that on asap so my local roads don't destroy the paint too quick.

Oh nice plan, excited to see how that looks! It may steer me in a direction of what I want the merckx end up like.

In my covid slump upon hearing the news of another covid extension in Ireland I decided to treat myself.

Managed to pick up a very beater colnago which I'm buzzing to get built, sorry merckx, plan is to switch over all bits on my daily bike and ride this until all the paint flakes off and then eventually a powder coat and new decals but that will be a while!

Good things are its straight, no dents, headset seems good and it's my size! I have a bit of a thing for buying bikes too big or small and trying to make them fit me.

Bad things is the paint, the guy I bought it off said the bike actually doesnt have that much use just the paint is shite and flakes and bubbles everywhere. I kind of like it though, excited to put some miles in and see how she handles.

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Latest build of the merckx before I take it apart.

Managed to pick up an almost complete campag chorus and record 10speed groupset.

Plans are:
New groupset
New wheels picking these up tomorrow
Tí seat post
Flite saddle (on the way in post to me)
New bar tape
And new tires which will probobly be duranos

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Sweet, congrats on the find! The nago's nice too, but I wouldn't trust a beaten up alu frame. I've seen too many well used alu frames with tears in them. Can't beat steel :)
My experience with my MX Leader was that I wanted it period correct at first, but the frame was so good that eventually I wanted to upgrade all components to 'modern' spec to see how good and light I could get the bike as a whole. I still prefer it occasionally above my sworks tarmac, since it's so much more comfy but significantly less efficient (for training/touring mind you). I'm curious about your thoughts on the ride when you have it finished! What wheels are you getting?

Thank you! Looking forward to summer so I can have the merckx out as much as possible.

Ah I'd say the nagos fine, iv ridden more old alu frames then modern and none have failed me yet, touch wood! Look at all the old ctracks getting resprayed and chucked around the streets and there still together.

Yeah I'm pretty much in the same boat with the merckx! Loved the old silver finishing kit, looks quite classy but also want to go fast and use it a lot so going as modern as the funds will allow.

Have 2 mini tours planned once covid cools down a bit here in Ireland, first is the wild Atlantic way on the west of Ireland and the next is Dublin to Glasgow to visit a friend which I'd love to do on the merckx.

Wheels I picked up a set of roval fusee e5's, they were a great price, are fairly light and were brand new.
May go carbon further down the line but my experience with carbon is slim to none I'll see how I get on with the rovals.

Things are moving a lot quicker with the merckx then expected.

Most bits are in the post for the build so could have this built by next week maybe.

Just got this in the post! Chorus ti post! Hopefully the length is OK.

Now I want to decide on matching bottles/bidons. Leaning towards look mum no hands black on black or chrome and black or one of each hmmmm...

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Built this up on a rainy day last week, it’s a bit ratty but I love it!

Definitely needs new tires, bar tape and black spacers

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