Sunday 16th March 2025 - Late afternoon ride on the Merckx Corsa Extra - Spring is here?

 In honour of what is starting to feel like spring and the start of the spring classic races I thought as I had a couple of hours spare that, I am well past due to get the Merckx out of winter hibernation, stretch my back into shape, resume the racer pose and put some quick miles in on this fast machine. 

It didn't disappoint either. After buying this from the factory nearly 14 years ago now, it still never fails to make me smile and appreciate just how nice it is to ride. Even by modern standards it is a racy feel but ever so rock steady and compliant, comfortable all day in the saddle. Plus after all this time, it doesn't matter how long since I last rode it, it fits like a glove and just feels so natural fitting back on it. 

Love it. 

Jamie  

April 26th 2020 - Merckx Corsa Extra - Local Lockdown ride

While it has been a long time between posting my Merckx rides, there have been many rides in-between, so I thought I should rightly update the blog.
I managed to get out for a ride this afternoon, though the weather wasn't great up here today at all with it being quite overcast and showery. We could see it raining in different parts around us but we only had a shower at lunch so managed to get out on the Merckx later on. Didn't go too far just out towards John O'Groats direction back near to where we used to live and then doubled back along the coast.
Decided to take the Merckx out as it has been a short while since I rode it and with chatting about it in a few other threads this week regarding the frame number decoding and the build card numbers etc, as posted above, I was itching to ride it. It didn't disappoint as usual. It is such a sure footed quick handling machine and still feels as it always has in that it is a race bike, not a tourer or randonneur, which is more my style these days, but a bum up head down racer which was a real pleasure. It just fits like a glove and makes even an effort not seem like it. Still love it and still feels to me like it's something special to ride. 
Definitely good to get out and put a bit more of a quicker effort in, as the bike just encourages you to get stuck in.
Will try not to leave it so long to update the Merckx next time.
Hope you and your families are all safe and well.

Jamie

April 26th 2020 - Merckx Corsa Extra - Frame number information and my paperwork

Well I will also post up some of the following posts from a thread on the main road section of Retrobike where they pertain to my own Merckx Corsa Extra. This was interesting as the codes tied in with what I knew from my own frame and the fact I purchased it new from the factory slightly more than the vague ID from the Cadre site.
It was a very enlightening conversation.
The following are excerpts:

EMpatology:
 The symbols to the left of the BB cover ("technical") are divided into 3 categories:
- a letter denoting the EMC employee responsible for the final "smoothing" of the frame before painting (A,B,F,G,M,P,T,D,Y,L,N,J,S,H,K, unusual 0, ^)
- a number indicating the length of the seat tube in cm measured c-c (for example 2 means 52 or 62, 8 means 48 or 58)
- letters indicating tube type, geometry or model:
   R = Reynolds 531
   C = Corsa
   X = SLX/SPX
   CX = Criterium
   TT = TSX
   M = Strada (Matrix/Cromor)
   TTB = Century TSX
   XB = Corsa Extra SLX century geo
   WW = Strada since 1992
 other types/models did not have "own" markings; a clever observer noticed the "double" M: until 1986 (~A1500) it was an employee code, since 1987 the Strada model designation.
The symbols to the right of the BB cover ("statistical") form a serial number, it consists of a letter and a set of digits. A letter means another series of frames, a number is another frame in the series (001-9999). The exception is the production from 1980 (there is no letter, and in the prototypes even digits, and there are just over 1000 of them).
E - 1981-1984
Z - 1984-1986
A - 1986-1988
B - 1988-1990
C - 1990-1991
D - 1992-1993
F - 1994-1995
G - 1996-1998
H - 1998-2000
J - 2001-2002
K - 2002-2004
L - 2004-2006
P - 2006-2008
In addition to such markings, there are unusual ones:
CS - Capri Sonne
ED - Europ Decor
W - Winning ?
KE - Kelme
HL186P - Hans Lubberding 1986 Pista (Panasonic) and similar - his teammates
Have a good time

Myself:
Well that is interesting as my own Corsa Extra was bought new by me in 2001 when the factory said it was stopping production, or going to cut back on steel frames.
I had held off because I needed what they termed a ‘custom’ frame size in 48cm which because they were made in small batches cost more. Now with the sale they had two that had been sitting around for a long while they said, two colour choices and a price that was far cheaper than a standard Corsa. I couldn’t get back across so did final emails and then sorted payment and shipping through Schils shop Intabike in London.
I bought it later in 2001 but the numbers say it’s 96 -98 so it had been sitting waiting for me for a while ;)
And to think I was going to buy a Flyer instead, it was only because of such a huge discount I could buy what I had wanted for a long time.
All my bikes can come and go but never that one.

Myself:
Well that means mine was sitting around patiently waiting for me to come and collect it :)
Mine is in SLX new.
I hear what you are saying about steel being out of fashion as when I came over from Australia back in 2001 and wanted a steel Merckx, even back home I was being laughed at, my friends thought I should be going for carbon or Scandium and couldn't believe I would come all this way and buy steel. Though I was lucky as looking at the old price list for Intrabike the standard Corsa Extra was £495 with the custom, basically anything under 50cm and over 60cm was £599   :shock:
In the end I ended up paying £350 all in delivered to Scotland. Paid a deposit and then balanced it through Interbike, who I must say were and I imagine still are the coolest most helpful guys that ever worked in a bikeshop.
It's still my pride and joy, and while it has been well ridden especially in it's earlier days, it still to me feels like my new bike. I do baby it a bit these days but we have been through a fair bit together and since my adventure started in this country it has been the one constant.
Jamie


Price list from Interbike 2001


EMpatology:
Thank you. Very interesting information.
The table shows that the lightest steel frame offered at that time was...Mx Leader (I did not expect this) and Arcobaleno (the most technologically advanced EMC steel frame) is no longer on offer. There is also no Alu Mega, Alu Team, Alu Carbon.
Build card contains a lot of interesting information:
G4478 was built in early 1997
48 - height of seat tube
BX(B) - SLX New, century geo
A - FD mounting
SG - type and arrangement of slides on top tube
PB - additional holders for the bottle on seat tube
STI - slides on head tube
A - chrome-plated FD mounting
C - chrome plating right chainstay and dropouts
DRW - painting design, DR is the general design code used 1996 - 1997, W = white
KC - stickers pattern
This bike is beautiful...

Myself:
Thank you very much, while some of this I know from the bike and from ordering I didn't realise what they all meant on the build card, so thank you very much.
The price list above were for frames that was for the end of 2001/2002. I'm glad I printed it out back then and just kept it in a small folder with the other paperwork. Shame I didn't keep all the correspondence.
I will add this information to the folder :)
I still think it's funny that when I bought it I just liked steel frames and of course, this to me was my favourite wish frame, and while steel was going out of fashion it wasn't considered 'retro' or 'old' like it is now. So it is funny to have something from new, that doesn't feel that old to me, to be considered retro. I bought it because when I originally rode one it was light and fast, it still is light and fast.
Jamie





EMpatology: 
You have the best EMC framework documentation I have ever seen

Sunday 31st March 2019 - Merckx Corsa Extra 1st Spring Ride

It was a lovely day up here today, slight wind blowing but nowhere near as bad as the last week. I could tolerate the wind a bit easier due to the lovely sunshine.
Lovely sunny spring Sunday spent relaxing with the family, late breakfast etc so a really chilled morning, then got stuck into a few jobs that needed doing around the place all the while planning a ride out later in the afternoon on the trusty Merckx. Shameful to say that it is only the first time out this year for my pampered favourite :)  This was also the start of the classics this week with E3 on Thursday and Gent -Welvgem today, favourite time of year. So after a great race on the box I went out and put in some quick miles and realised why I love this bike so much. It just seems effortless, fits like a glove and is so precise and slick in all respects. While I bought this frame and built it up almost 18 years ago it still feels like new to me, despite lots and lots of miles. I suppose I maintain this pretty tightly but every time I think I will upgrade something, I end up leaving it as it works faultlessly. It was built as a do it all workhorse and it far exceeds that.
Camera died while out on the ride so took a couple when I got in. I have had this for a long time but it still feels like my new bike to me. I have a full 7400 Dura Ace kit to fit to it one day but this works perfectly for me and my riding and it's how I built it for what I needed. Long before it was ever 'retro'  ;) 
While due to storage it has gone back in the loft for the next week with the wheels tucked away in their bag until I can make some room in the small shed. Anyway a good family day with a good spring classic followed by a good ride on a great bike in the sunshine!  Long may it last and hopefully the day was as nice for everyone else.

Jamie

Sun Apr 01, 2018 - Merckx out and about - Flanders Weekend

Today I ended up sitting and watching Flanders this afternoon as every time I went to go out the door something else would go off. What a great race and seeing as I am a big Quick Step fan, it was a great result all round.
Afterwards I took a couple of hours spin round the coast trying to dodge the odd shower, which for once I did manage to do. Towards the end I was up at Dunnet Head and knew that if I didn't get home quickly I would soon be wet, either with rain or snow. Crazy weather as we had snow lying last night, today was either bright sunshine or dark rain clouds dropping their contents all with the occasional and random snow flurry.
I headed out on the Merckx seen as it was Flanders weekend and in honour of Quickstep winning I rode the closest thing I have to a Quickstep jersey and that was my old Paolo Bettini fan club jersey that was made in the old Mapei style. Not seen the light of day for a good while.
A good ride as all on my Merckx are and while sunny it was only just above freezing which meant being wrapped up. Roll on summer and short sleeves only.
I must say that after spending so much time on the Big Dummy lately, the Merckx felt effortless

Jamie

Sun Apr 02, 2017 - Merckx ride out

Got a bit of a soaking yesterday on the Mercian when I rode into town to get some bearings for a wheel rebuild. beautiful and sunny when I left only for the rain to envelope the whole county and come down hard. Stayed in for most of the afternoon as well.
Today though, started quite wet once again so I settled in to watch the Tour of Flanders, thought I would watch the start and then go for a ride, come back and watch the end. That plan went out the window as things heated up and it was clear that the Dyer houses favourites, Tom Boonen and Philippe Gilbert were working together near the front and were soon in the break. So after a mammoth couple of hours watching the race live and cheering Gilberts win I thought I better get my backside out and put a few miles in. So circular route was devised and the Merckx was readied, seen as it was Tour of Flanders and it is after all, my Sunday best . Sun was out and it was a lovely couple of hours out just riding for the enjoyment of just riding, great way to close a nice afternoon. Merckx was it's usual flawless self.
Hope everyone else had a nice Sunday and hopefully managed a ride.

Jamie

Sat Mar 18, 2017 - Merckx - Dunnet Head

Hi guys and the ladies, of course.
Unfortunately today I was unable to get all the way down to Selkirk for the Border Randonee Audax. Due to having to go to Inverness on Thursday for Heather and then catching up yesterday and not getting away in time to get down and get accommodation sorted for the 8am start. Sometimes life just gets in the way and has other plans
So after doing a few things chore wise around here, rebuilding and old road hub and then eating a late lunch and watching Milan San Remo, I managed a late ride out on the Merckx.
After what seems like ages riding the Trucker, Big Dummy and even the Mercian it was great to be back on my old faithful Corsa. Lightweight, fits like a glove, rolls and changes slick, just nice. Sometimes it is all about the bike.
A few hours in the fading light around the coast, dodging showers and blowing off cobwebs from the week and regret and disappointment from not getting to Selkirk. A great ride and with the constant showers around me and the changing light made for a great skyline.
Had a nice ride to nowhere in particular, so just thought I would share.
Hope the weather was good with everyone else

Jamie

My Rides: Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra - 2015 Update

From April 11th 2015

Today before a ride in to the hellish westerly wind I fitted some new wheels to the Merckx.
For years I keep saying I will build up some blue Open Pro rims but just never get round to it. Mainly due to having a great set of Open pro's built onto Ultegra hubs that I had Edison cycles in derby build when I first got the Merckx. Eventually after the blue rims getting higher in price I eventually could never find any when I tried the last six months.
So I purchased these from mark (maverick) on here. They are Mavics own Cosmos set, which is basically Open pro rims laced onto Mavics own hubs. I used to bypass these as I wasn't sure about blue hubs but these are really nice in the flesh. They are virtually brand new as Mark bought them for a build that didn't happen and before that Gil was the original owner and he barely used them, if at all.
So well happy, especially as they were very, very reasonable, price wise.
Being the same rim as what was previously on there and both having good hubs there is not any real difference in ride quality, which was already superb. I can also give a high recomendation to Edison cycles as these wheels have done many, many miles over the last 13 years, and a lot of that on roughish Scottish backroads and they are not out at all. To the mm.
Just thought I would share.

Jamie




I have bought a second set of wheels for mine and decided to raid the parts box and change things around for a while, especially as mine has been in its current spec for near on 13 years.
I dug out a mixture of 7400 and 7403 with a choice of STI or downtube so pretty much right to go.
Might just try a few different setups out in the next few weeks. Just need a bottom bracket.
Most is in good to very good condition.
I also have some brakes and mechs from 7700 DA as well so could always mix that with my current Ultegra gear. I would fit my 7700 mechs, brakes, chainset and keep the Ultegra STI's or even mount my 7700 downtube shifters but doubt I would go to the expense of the DA STI's when I have a perfectly good set of Ultegras. This is really about changing purely for changes sake as I am happy with the way everything works.
random thoughts I thought I'd share

Jamie