Hi CR folks,
I have a very late Merckx Corsa 01 58.5cm to top with a 56.5cc top tube frame and fork for sale.
It is a modern steel frame, with oversize tubing (Dedacci I believe), 130mm rear spacing, internal brake cable routing, and braze on front deraillieur.
The frame gives the ride that so many Rivendell and Sachs buyers look for - stable, very smooth, a frame that you can enjoy the mega long rides on but which is still moderately peppy. It takes 25mm tires with room to spare (I used Michelin's - the Japaneese 28's are actually smaller!) No, you won't have room or eyelets for fenders.
It is kinda garishly painted in red with all sorts of graphic abominations of typicall of the current Italian go-fast Iron. The fork, though, is all chrome - and a true semi-sloping crown, none of the trendy unicrown to be found here.
The frame has about 1,000 to 1,500 miles on it and was never crashed. Paint looks really nice, it still pretty much has the showroom gleam to it. There are, however, some scratches and minor blems (I did do some paint touch up on a seatstay) - but this frame when built will look very fresh.
This frame retailed for $1,000 new and many folks rave about the ride of these. The downside? The workmanship is Italian production (and certainly not at its best). It shares nothing in workmanship with a great steel frame like a Rivendell or a Sachs. But, the ride is probably in the ballpark with these (it is very subjective) and the price makes this a fantastic opportunity to have a great workhorse of a frame for a song.
Price is $365 plus shipping. Will also include a used Chorus braze on front deraillieur.
Mike Kone in Boulder CO