Classic Eddy Merckx

1988 Eddy Merckx Corsa

Having a classic ride is awesome.

Classic styling, a nostalgic vibe, maybe the chance to have something that you always wanted but didn’t have the money to buy the first time around.
Check out this vintage Eddy Merckx. A Columbus steel Corsa frameset painted in the iconic Faema team colors. It’s from the late ‘80’s, a time when aerodynamic and modern (looking) parts were fitted to bicycle frames that seemed identical to those made in the 1930’s.

This Merckx is outfitted with the Campagnolo’s 2nd tier Croce d ‘Aune group.  Named after a mountain pass in the Italian Dolomite mountains where Tullio Campagnolo was inspired to invent the bicycle wheel quick release.  It’s a beautiful component Gruppo, and you can’t have it on your bike unless you can pronounce it (say crow-che down).

In 1988 every bike racer out there (except our friend Gavin) loved Campagnolo, or at least loved the way Campagnolo bike parts looked.  The “C” Record component group was the top of the line, and the most beautiful and prestigious, but the Croce d’Aune group had some amazing design elements.  I loved the Croce rear derailleur and the brake calipers.

Croce d’Aune Delta brakes

Croce d’Aune rear derailleur

Cinelli Pinochio stem

Croce d’Aune crankset

San Marco Regal saddle

The rear derailleur had a different cable attachment than anything else Campagnolo has ever made.  The housing stopped on the top of the derailleur and slid across a grooved plate (much like today’s Sram derailleurs).  There was a cool looking steel rod on the bottom of the rear derailleur, and to this day we’re not really sure how it helps the derailleur move but it sure looks great.

The brake calipers from this component group are amazing.  Just like the Record level “Delta“ brakes these are more style than substance (the design didn’t stop any better than Campy’s standard brake calipers), but they look terrific on any bike.  This version has return springs outside of the triangular body instead of having the mechanism stuffed inside.  The spring detail looks similar to us to the little rod on the rear derailleur.