Help me out on understanding the steel heirarchy

Brandow98 · Apr 10, 2014

Hi guys Iam from South Africa Cape Town and found a eddy merckx corsa extra 753 I need some info on this bike Iam new to the bike scene and found this bike at a old bike shop between 50 other bike standing outside bought it because it just look so cool rides like dream didn't no what I had till someone wanted to look at it didn't even no the name on the bike when I bought it
but now I do I will try to load photos or if someone wants to help please send me your emails and I will send the photos

aptivaboy · Apr 11, 2014

From what Gita and others have told me about my 753...
- Its likely a mid-80s frame, although the Merckx workshop was so open to building whatever that you should perhaps check the serial number against the Cadre/Merckx site to try to narrow the date range (Eddy Merckx Serial Numbers). I believe they made a few in the early nineties.
- The 753-tubed frames were usually called Gran Prixs, however, there were a few labeled as Corsa Extras, as your's seems to be.
- There is some debate over how the seat stays attach to the seat lug. Some believe that attaching them more to the rear of the lug instead of the sides is a 753-specific trait (mine comes that way), while others see it as just another way of attaching the stays with nothing really unique about it. I tend to think that 753-tubed Mercks tended to have this feature, but it wasn't a definite thing; there are variations and exceptions to the rule. It may have been a preferred thing, but it wasn't exclusive.

PLEASE post some pics! The 753 is likely the rarest of the Merckxs, and its always great to see them.

Hope this helps,

Bob

Brandow98 · Apr 11, 2014

aptivaboy said:
From what Gita and others have told me about my 753...
- Its likely a mid-80s frame, although the Merckx workshop was so open to building whatever that you should perhaps check the serial number against the Cadre/Merckx site to try to narrow the date range (Eddy Merckx Serial Numbers). I believe they made a few in the early nineties.
- The 753-tubed frames were usually called Gran Prixs, however, there were a few labeled as Corsa Extras, as your's seems to be.
- There is some debate over how the seat stays attach to the seat lug. Some believe that attaching them more to the rear of the lug instead of the sides is a 753-specific trait (mine comes that way), while others see it as just another way of attaching the stays with nothing really unique about it. I tend to think that 753-tubed Mercks tended to have this feature, but it wasn't a definite thing; there are variations and exceptions to the rule. It may have been a preferred thing, but it wasn't exclusive.

PLEASE post some pics! The 753 is likely the rarest of the Merckxs, and its always great to see them.

Hope this helps,

Bob

thank you for the info how much do you think it is worth?i am attaching photos for you

aptivaboy · Apr 11, 2014

That looks to be a Team Telekom bike. Nice! Its also slightly rare to see it chromed. There is a general thought on the web that 753 shouldn't be chromed for metallurgical reasons which I don't pretend to understand.

No idea on price. The frame and fork alone would likely go for over $400 USD in the nice condition that it is, but the bike as a whole I don't know. I'm sure others will chime in who will know more than I.

atpjunkie · Apr 24, 2014

Telekom, I'm thinking early 90s. 753 is rare, super cool but not good for bigger more powerful riders. I've heard of some early 531 Merckx's as well. Let's not forget the Professionals (first Merckx's) which were built with a variety of tube sets

pablo pinchasso · May 13, 2014

How many have seen a Corsa Extra in " SLX NEW"

NACHO PEREZ said:
And what about Corsa Extra´s "SLX NEW"?

Does anyone know anything about the SLX NEW Merckx..?? i purchased on almost new from a fellow in Berlin in2003 or so....nice ride stiff and good climbing bike....almost as good as a MX....voice of experience

Emerxil · Jan 13, 2020

Excavations, but they can be interesting...
Eddy Merckx's steel frame hierarchy for the patient (and brave):

Bottom line:

- 3-Athlete (Rey501): 1984-1986
- Strada (Col Matrix): 1987 (very rare)
(Col Cromor): 1987-1990?
(Col Strada): 1991?- 1994
(Col Cromor/Gara): 1994-1995?
(Col Brain OS): 1995-1999?

It's possible that Col Strada=Col Cromor/Gara (no confirmation).
All frames "road racing geometry" except Strada OS - "century geometry".

Medium line:

- Corsa (Col SL and/or SP; Rey531): 1985-1994
(Col Thron): 1994-1995 (rare)
(Dedacciai 01): 1995-2004?

Col and Rey frames "road racing geometry", Deda 01 - "century geometry".

Top line:

- Professional (Col SL and/or SP; Rey531): 1980-1986

- Pro (Col SLX and/or SPX; Rey753): 1984-1986

- Criterium (Col SLX and/or SPX): 1986-1988 (rare)

- Corsa Extra (Col SLX and/or SPX): 1986-1995
(Rey753): 1986-1988 and 1991-1994?
(Col TSX): 1988-1993
(Col MAX): 1990-1992
(Col New SLX): 1995-2004?

- Century (Rey653): 1988-1990 (rare)
(Col TSX): 1988-1993

- Grand Prix (Rey753): 1988-1990 (rare)

- Mx Leader (Col MxL): 1992-2004?

- Arcobaleno (Col Neuron): 1995-1999?

- Chrono (whatever): 1984-2000? (rare)

"Century geometry": Century, Col MAX, Col New SLX, some other Corsa Extra frames since 1992, Mx Leader and Arcobaleno.
Criterium and Chrono had "their" unique geometry.
Other models had "road race geometry".

I omitted all non-steel frames (it's hard to compare them to steel frames):

- Carbon Monocoque (Donnay): 1992-1993
- Titanal (Hagan): 1993-1994
- Titane (EM): 1993-1999?
- Titanium (Litespeed): 1993-2008?
- Aluminium (Italy, perhaps Faggin): 1995-2008?

Help me out on understanding the steel heirarchy

Brandow98

aptivaboy

Brandow98

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