At 11:52 PM +0000 5/8/08, gholl@optonline.net wrote:
> What is more interesting in these drawings, are the fine
>differences ( too numerous to be repeated here) specified by Merckx
>for bikes he designated for different races. Such attention to
>detail marked his career-the most brilliant in the history of bike
>racing.
I have read many times that after his back injury, Merckx never again was totally comfortable on a bike, and thus was changing the dimensions all the time in the elusive search for the bike that would fit perfectly. So this is less a sign of perfectionism than one of desperation.
What is amazing is that most of Merckx' career, and most of his victories, occurred after that accident... showing you how much determination the man had!
Jan Heine
Editor
Bicycle Quarterly
140 Lakeside Ave #C
Seattle WA 98122
http://www.bikequarterly.com