Re: [CR] Eurobike: Eddy Merckx booth with fantastic Retro Bike

(Example: Framebuilders:Dario Pegoretti)

From: "Michael Allison" <cyclo_one@verizon.net>
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 2009 21:05:00 -0400
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Cc: Jerome Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>, oroboyz@aol.com
Subject: Re: [CR] Eurobike: Eddy Merckx booth with fantastic Retro Bike


Fellow Bike nuts,

" Hilary Stone wrote: I do wonder whether Merckx was using the new Campy side-pulls throughout 1968 - I was under the impression that these were introduced quite late on in 1968... Certainly my De Rosa is full Campag save for the Universal 68 brakes."

The idea that the pros didn't use components before their official release date has come up many times. Back in the day, the primary makers of these parts were/are the French and Italians. When it comes to bike racing, their passion was not of any concern if dates or parts matched, only who won the race. Builders would use whatever was in the parts bin when they put the bike together. Moreover, Pros and renowned frame builders would have the parts before any official catalogue was released. If only because they were the frontline testers of new products. Bikes made for the European market often had different decals and components because of national competition and requlations.

This creates problems, especially for American collectors, who think the market should be as rational. It's not about the bike but winning the race.

Michael Allison
New York, NY