Description
When an American team called Team 7-Eleven went professional in the mid 1980s, they soon made themselves a name in the European cycling scene. Not only stage wins could be achieved but also podium places in grand tours, with Andy Hampsten coming in first and third in the 1988 and 1989 Giro d'Italia.
Consequently, in 1989, Eddy Merckx started to sponsor the Team with his Corsa Extra bikes.
he remembered:"I had a special relationship with the team. They were happy to have somebody with my racing and frame-building experience. For me [it] remains a great memory. I was happy I could make them more successful in Europe, and to see the positive influence they had on the US as a whole. If I had do it over, I would make the same choice straight away."
And it was not a bad choice to continue the sponsorship when the team changed its name to Team Motorola in 1991. The success was steady and youngsters like Lance Armstrong reinforced the ranks.
With its success, the team's popularity grew further and their Eddy Merckx Team Bikes were to be seen in uncounted cycling features of this era.
At the beginning of the 1990s, the Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra was still one of the best road bike frames and had been the choice of many professional teams for some years. It had dominated the peloton with its extremely well made triangle of light and rigid Columbus SLX tubes. The SLX was a "superbutted" tubeset from Cyclex steel, designed for professional use and famous for its helical reinforcements on the end of the tubes.
Our bike dates back to the early 1990s and sports the Motorola Team colours. The paint is not the only highlight on the surface. Our Eddy Merckx also has the typical additional team stickers. It has been outfitted with a complete Shimano Dura Ace groupset which works as flawlessly as 30 years ago.
On top with the bike comes a set of original team bottles, an Avocet computer, a Motorola Jersey and a team cap which allegedly belonged to Lance.
The bike is thoroughly checked in our workshop and is ready to go.
Iconic. Perfect for collectors, some weekend tours and a bit of nostalgia.
Size Information
Size (Center-Top) | 59 cm |
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Top Tube | 57 cm |
Head Tube | 15 cm |
Standover | 83 cm |
Details
Brand | Eddy Merckx |
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Shifters | Shimano Dura Ace STI |
Crankset | Shimano Dura Ace |
Bottom Bracket | Shimano Dura Ace |
Seat | Avocet Racing |
Hubs | Shimano Dura Ace; Cassette 12-19 |
Rims | Ambrosio Giro d'Italia |
Tires | Specialized Umma Gumma |
Stem | Cinelli; 130mm |
Stembar | Cinelli; 42cm |
Chain | Shimano |
Pedals | Not included |