Merckx MX Leader - 25th Anni Ltd Edition Re-issue

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RichTheRoadie
Tinker, Taylor, Tart
Posts: 2070
Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:00 pm
Location: Sydney, Aus.

by RichTheRoadie

Just finished this:

Image

Eddy Merckx MX Leader, limited edition 2004 re-issue (number 77 of 100).

Not 'period correct' in terms of being a true Motorola replica, but then the catalogue pic of the re-issue shows it with Campag Chorus, a carbon Campag post and a black Deda stem so... (although my LBS did almost get made a ridiculous offer for his box-fresh, NOS, 25th anni Dura-Ace 7700 groupset!)

Build kit is:

2010 'NOS' (if that still counts for something relatively new?!) Athena Ultra Torque cranks
Current Athena for the rest of the group (most of which has been de-logo'd)
NOS Chorus Titanium seatpost
Brooks Cambium saddle (San Marco Rolls Ti in white incoming)
Chris King 1" headset (the 2004 re-issue doesn't have a threaded fork)
Cinelli Grammo Ti ahead stem
Soma Hwy One bars
NOS Mavic Reflex Ceramic tubular rims laced to White Industries T11 hubs in silver

Weight is circa 10kg, ride is incredible.

In all honesty it's actually a bit long and low for me, but it's manageable. I also have a NOS Cinelli Alter stem (quirky looking, but I love the design) and Cinelli 64 bars coming to try - I think the angle of the Alter will allow me to run the bars a bit higher, as long as it suits the bike.

Longer term if neither of the 1" setups work I have an adaptor to run a 1 1/8th stem - there's already a Ritchey Classic and spare 31.8mm bars waiting in the wings.


by Weenie


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Montana
Posts: 342
Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:29 am

by Montana

Wow! Very well done!

gravity
Posts: 657
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:01 am

by gravity

I thought all steel Eddy Merckx built will take years to complete. Case in point is Tinea Pedis's..

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kgt
Posts: 8749
Joined: Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:29 am
Location: Athens, Greece

by kgt

Your bike is really amazing!
I just needs a black saddle (this Brooks in black or something like a San Marco Rolls or Regal). Rolls is white will look nice during a few days only.
Last edited by kgt on Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

RichTheRoadie
Tinker, Taylor, Tart
Posts: 2070
Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:00 pm
Location: Sydney, Aus.

by RichTheRoadie

The Brooks on there now is black!


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michel2
Posts: 1144
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 10:47 am
Location: somewere floating between here and the other side

by michel2

Im loving my mx leader, the bike just seems to work for me very well !

Fatbiker
Posts: 874
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:41 pm

by Fatbiker

Great looking bike! Great selection of parts too. Only thing I would change is the crankset, for a square taper silver one. Someone on the forum changed his Ultra Torque for one on a classic bike (a Bottechia if I recall correctly) and it looked very nice.

RichTheRoadie
Tinker, Taylor, Tart
Posts: 2070
Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:00 pm
Location: Sydney, Aus.

by RichTheRoadie

I don't disagree on that actually. Problem is they're so damn expensive! I'd still need the Athena rings too for 11spd compatibility.

Because it's a 2004 frame I almost got the first Record carbon crank (which was released in 2004), but then it would have needed a Record carbon post too!

drainyoo
Posts: 789
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:56 pm

by drainyoo

Yes! One of my favorite frames. Those vintage Merckx frames had the best paint.

RichTheRoadie
Tinker, Taylor, Tart
Posts: 2070
Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:00 pm
Location: Sydney, Aus.

by RichTheRoadie

kgt wrote:I just needs a black saddle (this Brooks in black or something like a San Marco Rolls or Regal). Rolls is white will look nice during a few days only.

How about this?:

Image

I didn't like the look of the Rolls - need to get it on my commute bike and wear it in a bit, it was too shiny and new!

TimmS
Posts: 424
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:46 pm
Location: Amsterdam

by TimmS

How about one of those new fizik volta's?

http://www.bikerumor.com/2014/02/12/fiz ... more-73029

Fatbiker
Posts: 874
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:41 pm

by Fatbiker

That Flite carbon looks superb!

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Stolichnaya
Posts: 2621
Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 6:55 pm
Location: Vienna, AUT

by Stolichnaya

The only place that Volta belongs is under the butt of some annoyingly ironic hipster on his overly expensive fixie. Certainly not on a steel Merckx MX Leader. Flite looks great. Regal would work too. Tart, this could be my favorite build from your stable (and I agree on the square taper crank suggestion.)

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



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