in autumn 1979 i was in milan with pal len preheim for the "Let's steal the secrets" World Tour number 1. at the derosa booth at the cycle show, merckx debuted (sp??) his new line of bicycles. these frames were made by derosa and were exactly like all derosas 'ceptin the engraving and graphics. e-RICHIE chester, ct
snipped: REClassicBikes@aol.com writes: "An older guy turned up on the club run on a nice looking Merckx frame. I
asked him about it and he told me that it was one that was built by de Rosa for Merckx to use as a show frame when starting his company. The frame was taken around the shows and ended up being bought by a local ex pro / bike
shop owner called billy bisland, for another guy in the club. Eventually the frame was passed on to its current owner for debts due. the original colour was black, but it is now blue. Does any one who attended trade shows in 1980 remember the frame? Short, probably a 211/2" frame. "