[CR] For Sale: Colnago-Merckx Track bike redux

(Example: Framebuilders:Alex Singer)

From: "Charles Andrews" <chasds@mindspring.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:49:24 -0800
Subject: [CR] For Sale: Colnago-Merckx Track bike redux


My Colnago-Merckx track bike did not sell on ebay. I'm offering to the CR list once again at a much lower price. If you're interested, e-mail me privately.

This is an extremely rare version of a Colnago track bike from the early 70s, in Molteni orange, with the Eddy Merckx down-tube graphic. Colnago track bikes this old are fairly uncommon. One in Molteni orange with the Merckx graphic on the down-tube is practically impossible to find. Note the club cutouts in the all the lugs, and the single divot in the lower seat-lug tang. Characteristic of 1971-1972 Colnagos.

56cm c-t seat; 56cm c-c top-tube. Wheels are very cool, Campagnolo track hubs with Mavic track rims and stainless db spokes, front is double-tied and soldered, rear single tied-and-soldered. Wheels are solid and very race-able.

I've had this bike out on the San Diego Velodrome and it's very stiff, very fast and every bit as good as you'd expect.

Tires are period Vittoria Sei Giorno track tires. Rideable, but I'd put new track tires on it.

Highly unlikely you'll ever see another one like this for sale in your lifetime, and that's no exaggeration. Very, very few of them ever came into the US.

I've enjoyed having it, but it's time to pass her along to another caretaker. Pics at Flickr..if you have problems viewing, let me know.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21078245@N03/sets/72157610609870298/

$2800 shipped in the lower 48. Locals are welcome to come have a look. I would consider in trade +/- cash a late 60s/early 70s Pogliaghi road frame/fork or full bike in clean original condition--or the same in an early/mid 70s De Rosa with short-point pressed lugs. 55-56cm c-t only.

Charles Andrews Los Angeles

that's the puzzle of what has happened to the automobile world: feeling safe has become more important than actually being safe.

--Malcolm Gladwell