Hi Nick and fellow CR Listisimos,
As one that spent my teenage racing years with Eddy posters on my bedroom walls, sporting images of "The Cannibal" in yellow jersey atop orange de Rosas, Colnagos, etc. with downtubes that by then were always decaled EDDY MERCKX, and not the actual maker - (save for his early years, and the hour record bike, etc.) -- it was abit amusing to see an orange bike decaled de Rosa touted as "the same bike Eddy rode..."
But hey, we who know better can laugh this off and say "who in their right mind could assume this bike is the same one he he rode...?" - unfortunately not everyone knows better, and of those its possible given what was presented, someone might actually assume the bike they were buying was the real McCoy. Its for these folks I believe, your neighbor needed to better describe his wares.
As one that has just entered the world of classic restoration, I can't think of a cooler project than to replicate historical racing bikes used by the likes of Merckx, Coppi, Bobet, and so on. And that's just what they would be: replicas.
Then when you take that replica out on a road ride, and can't quite get that bike moving as fast and far as the tour winner that once rode such a bike - you'll still revel in the thought that at least for an instant - say a fast downhill - you are riding together with them.
Bill Ungar Torrance, CA USA
I wasn't clear in my bewilderment, I guess.
I wouldn't have any issue with $10K for a real Merckx bike (like most of us here probably) but I would never put that kind of cash out based on such a lousy and minimal auction description. Maybe there's a strategy to be learnt here for maximizing the riches on future auctions I carry out on eBay... . take liberties with word play and use "stock" photos stolen from virtual
museums! ;-)
Tam Pham Huntington Beach, CA - USA
Text from Ebay listing:
Pristine Condition- Used for two racing seasons. One owner.
Same Bike that Eddy Merckx used to win the Tour.
Frame: 59.5 cm, steel
C-C
Components: Super Record, Mavic 640 Wheels, Cinelli Bars
My pretzel logic: Am I the only one who never took this description to mean it was a bike actually ridden by
Merckx?
With all the talk about Eddy changing bikes like underwear; how could one imagine him
using a single bike for as long as 2 years.
Can not imagine a machine used for 2 years in competiton being in pristine condition.
Maybe it was because the seller is in my zipcode and how can one be suspicious of your
neighbors<g>
Nick Zatezalo Atlanta,Ga USA 30338
________________________________________________________________________
FREE for 30 Days! - Holiday eCards from AmericanGreetings.com
http://track.juno.com/