Jack asked:
> I have a strange Merckx frame and fork for sale to the list. I've only had
> it a few months and can't seem to find much info about it. Decals say
> "Produzione Velosport Bologna". Some CR responses suggested it is not a DeRosa
> but
> maybe a licensed-to-build early Merckx. Anyway, it no longer fits into my plans
> so maybe somebody wants it. It is light blue with Eddy Merckx decals on
> head, down, and seat tubes. No tubing decal. Gipiemme dropouts and included
> Ofmega BB, HS and Campy braze-on DT shifters. ST 24" c-t, TT 23.5" c-c, 17"
> chainstays. Chromed flat-crown fork. No dented tubes or other signs of damage.
> Paint original and fair condition with some spot painting recommended. Decals
> good to fair. Pics available on request.
>
> Price: $125 + shipping to 48. If I receive many responses I will have a
> drawing to give everyone the same chance.
I have seen a few of these in Italy. They were built before Eddy got into the bike business and were built under license for sale only in Italy. In fact there should be a decal somewhere that says 'vietata l'esportazione' which means 'export forbidden.' They were generally not more than mid-range bikes of the 70's. They are however somewhat interesting for anybody interested in the whole Eddy story (aren't we all?) This could actually make for quite an interesting collection of bikes: all the bikes named after Tour de France winners. You would have: Lemond, Hinault, Merckx, Janssen, Anquetil, Coppi, Bartali, Bottecchia and perhaps a few more that I have forgotten.
This brings me to Matteo's earlier posting of his ebay auctions. Among the bikes he has for auction, there is a Fiorelli built Coppi bike (ebay item: 3697088972.) Given that the bike is sitting in my garage, I have had the opportunity to look it over and it too is quite an interesting bike, and may I add the 'real' thing, with Columbus butted tubing and neat components. The fork crown is especially interesting and the same as that seen on listmember Thomas Reitz's Fiorelli: http://www.classicrendezvous.com/
Another bike that Matteo is selling that perhaps deserves more attention is his green Marnati (ebay item 3697188030). It would be ideally suited for a taller woman or man with long legs and a shorter torso as the top tube at 55 or 55.5 cm is relatively short for the frame. Quite a few of the people who came to the CR ride that I hosted last week took it out for a test ride.
Now the disclaimer, notwithstanding that these bikes are sitting in my garage, I have no financial or other interest in these bikes (apart from the fact that I would like to make room for my wife's car in the garage.) These bikes belong 100 % to Matteo and I am simply returning a favor that Matteo extended to me earlier, so if you have any questions, please ask them to him directly.
--
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ