Il Profeta Progetto
Mates are supposed to be just that; mates. They are meant to be supportive, to help you out when you need them, to make your existence a good experience.
My mates want to see me suffer.
A couple of these 'mates' (who shall remain nameless, but not shameless) thought it would be a good idea to enter a little race in October. I don't know if it was the realisation that they had shelled out $120 for the privilege of riding 192km over some of the nastiest climbs in the Coromandel, or the need to do some actual 'training' so as not to be reduced to a blubbering mess on the side of the road, but they encouraged me to join them. Encouraged is probably too nice a word; badgered, prodded, levelled all kinds of accusations as to the status of my manhood would be closer to the mark. And, being one to rise to a challenge (or at least just to shut them up) I took up the offer of a six-hour sufferfest with a good dose of false bravado.
That's when the mind games began. Not between them and I, but between me and I. Having ridden and raced over similar lengths of time on both tarmac and dirt, I knew that the actual training and completing the event shouldn't be a problem. Oh no, the mental block I was having was an equipment-based one. I've been happily cruising around on the Bozzie, loving the mix of old-school Kiwi steel and modern Italian carbon. It's probably the road bike I've loved the most. But she's no featherweight, and most of the riding she's been doing doesn't involve long, steep, relentless climbs. My head was starting to rebel against the legs. I needed a solution. A cheap one.
A workmate had a CAAD5 'Dale frame sitting around doing nothing, and at $200 I could build a light , cheap climbing machine that would do the job at hand. But I've never been a big fan of the marque, and although the Simoni styles were cool, I started scouring TradeMe and eBay for something alloy, slightly older, but with a certain amount of 'cool'. A couple of brands sprang to mind; a mate back in Aussie had a Klein Quantum, it was a bike that I liked the look of, and I knew it was light. There were some cool builds floating around the net which were appealing. Of course, a second opinion was needed, so an email to the Big Dutchman was drafted. No more than five minutes after sending it, I had an epiphany.
Alu? Caché? The Prophet!
A second email was on its way to Seattle, but while it was heading Stateside, a rather strongly worded one was returning Down Under. The big man wasn't impressed.
Don't get a fucking Klein! Jesus. Did someone hijack your email account? WTF are you thinking? Get a used Merckx Scandium like Museeuw won Roubaix on for fucks sake or a De Rosa or a Pinerello Prince like Ulli rode if you're going to go Alu.
A fucking Klein. Jesus. What's the matter with you?
Could he read my mind? Was he going to track me down and beat me? Are Kleins really that bad?
My suggestion of the Team SC had reached him by now, and I had saved my bacon from another verbal assault. The language was still as 'fruity WHERE `id` = but the sentiment was more at ease with my choice of steed.
THANK FUCKING GOD YOU CAME TO YOUR SENSES.
YES. Get one of those.
FUCK.
And so the search began. And just as quickly, ended. Merckx was looking out for me. A Domo Farm Frites Eddy Merckx Team SC frame and fork, in my size, was right there in front of me. There was really no choice in the matter. A quick check with the big man, and a stoic “BUY IT” came back, as if I really expected any different. He even offered to pony up some of the cash just to make sure a Klein wasn't getting anywhere near me.
I contacted the seller in Brisbane, Aus, and made an offer under the Buy Now price. We had a bit of to-and-fro before agreeing on a fair price, and the shipping to NZ. Mark didn't really want to send it overseas, but could see how keen I was on the frame and had it boxed and sent before I coud say 'Wilfried Peeters'. After a week I still didn't have the frame, Mark was making enquiries at this end, and we found out it was stuck in Customs in Auckland. Now, we all know that government departments are evil, and this one was living up to their well-earned rep, slugging me with nearly $200 GST… for what? Because they can.
I just wanted my frame. And when I finally held it in my hands, I could feel the spiritual significance of such a lauded piece of cycling folklore. But something didn't seem right. It looked a bit small. The tape measure came out and my 57cm frame was really a 56. Or a 55, depending on where I held the tape. A flurry of emails, a barrage of fit tests with just wheels and saddle and bars, and I wasn't convinced it was going to fit. Mark was convinced otherwise, as he is a good two inches taller than me, and assured me that the slack seat tube angle would put me in the right position. But he also kindly offered to return my money if I wasn't completely happy. A gentleman and a scholar.
The next day, after a night of web surfing for geometry charts, forum posts, and photos of The Lion on board, I was ready to do some more in-depth testing. I fitted my cranks, and videoed myself on the fit computer at work. It didn't look too bad at all. The Dutchman was also persuading me to 'go small' on the frame, maybe because he can't find one big enough for his own needs? With a 130mm stem mounted, I was happy that I could make it work. The rest of the parts were stripped from the Boz, and The Lion's bike with The Prophet's name was completed. A quick ride up the street turned any doubt into a emphatic 'fuck yeah'.
But what of the reason I undertook this whole process for? The weight… With pedals, two cages and my not particularly light 'Classics' wheels, she came in at 7.8kg. Over a kilo-and-a-bit shy of the Bozzie's mass. All there was left to do was get the right saddle, mount the V-Meter and get riding.
This bike is special. I'd read all the gushing praise from the likes of Competitive Cyclist, Ten Speed Hero and Elcyclista, and its palmares spoke for itself. A bike that could dominate for three years at Roubaix, go on day-long breakaways in Paris-Tours, and climb to victory atop The Giant of Provence. As I sprinted over every rise, I was Freddy Rodriguez. Hammering over anything rougher than smooth blacktop, I was The Lion, Servais, PvP. Up the climb to home, getting out of the saddle and rocking it side to side, I was Reeshard.
Bikes should have special character, and this one does, in spades. The decals on the down and seat tubes say it all. Handmade by The Prophet, in the spiritual home of cycling.
A-Merckx.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/brettok@velominati.com/Profeta/”/]
That Olmo is great! Love that light, but slick, color scheme.
And, if any of you need any more old steel inspiration, maybe you want to check out my Tommasini. Got a write-up + photos on here, if you need steel lust…
@Robert
Cheers Robert, and welcome… I’ve read about the headset issues, so am keeping my eye on that. My steerer had the remnants of an expander plug floating around under a different one inserted, so I fished it out and installed a new plug. It seems to be holding up so far.
@Buck Rogers
You holdout! Get them up now!
@brett
Which steer tube plug did you use?
Also – are you by chance in the group that rides near the Auckland airport on the weekends? The last two times I’ve been through I’ve seen a group of riders mostly on Merckx bikes. Would be great to extend one of my trips out that way to get some KMs in NZed. Thanks! (aka Robert)
@gravity bob
No mate, I’m in Wellington…
I used a plug from a carbon fork I found laying around in the workshop, not sure of the brand but a pretty simple, standard looking expander. Still hasn’t come loose.
Pinarello make an absolute ribber of a carbon expander plug. About as long as my little finger
@brett
Thanks – sometimes the unknown brand work’s best.
I know, DA on a Merckx is sort of out. But The DA Triple was the lightest at the time for getting my climbing weight over the little knee buster hills around here.
@brett
;) More of a situation where I do not have computer access except at work and they will not let me load any photos! Soon, I’ll have them up, hopefully!
@tomb
DA is ok, triples are not! Awesome bike, I so love anything Molteni.
@Buck Rogers
I have time…
@tomb
Holy Merckx, you’re tall. What size is that? 65 c-t-t? I’m drafting behind you.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
It is a 62. The photo has an odd perspective. I am 6’3″ but only a 32 or so inseam. I like taller frames so I can get a 59 cm top tube. Plus, I am from the old school ‘fist full of seat post’ time. (The photo actually is how the previous owner had is setup. I have a silver Thompson Road stem on it now with a Control Tech Formidable bar.Plus the seat is a bit lower.)I had to get rid of the Bontrager wheels though. Too few spokes for my taste. Plus they just looked wrong on a classic steel.
@Brett The triple is what hauls my ‘climbing weight’ around the rollers here in NC. Maybe after I get a few more pounds off I can go to a proper chainset.
Brett.
Late to post on this due to being sorta off the grid recently, but lovely, lovely build.
I’m sure you’ll climb like reeshard at k2.
When’s the first merckx owner’s club meeting?
@Cyclops
That is a beautiful bike and whilst I do have a couple of Merckx’s on my list I have to say there is something especially
CarboneandBarboneabout this bike. The devil is certainly in the detail and there is lots of it here. I know its a track bike but its still exudes volumes ofCasually Deliberateexcellence.Also here is a link to the
websitethat I wanted to buy this from before someone beat me to it!!Also if any neederlanders come across one of these please let me know!!
Why all the Klein hate? I have a 92 Quantum, and it’s excellent. Stiff – so so stiff.
@rhys
For me personally, and I’ve ridden with Gary Klein (weird dude), they’re just not pleasing to the eye. And yes they are stiff, like riding a fucking tuning fork. AND, was never into the colors they were painted.
Sure it’s a nice, light, stiff bike, just…..meh…………
Hello, first post here – this kind of seems like the place to ask a question, as it’s about an aluminium frame, kind of similar to the merckx…
I’ve got a Pinarello Galileo which I love to bits, although it’s clearly wrong that it’s got a shimano mix on it rather than something italian (in mitigation, I’ve just built some ambrosio excellences onto it…) I have no idea how many k I have logged on it now, I’m guessing it must be up around the 40k mark. The gruppo I’ve got on it is kind of at that point now where chainrings are wearing down etc, (and I have the prospect of getting hold of a seriously cheap, virtually unused sram red replacement…) I have no idea of the lifespan I might get out of this frame, and I don’t really want to change – anyone got any knowledege of lifespans of these things?
Cheers
Simon
@Simon
Welcome! First off, let me say that getting the Red Group, if its a good deal, will never go unused – put it on the Galileo and when the frame needs replacement, go ahead and replace the frame, keep the Group. You can move the working parts off the Galileo onto a Bike #2 and so on the progression continues.
As for the frame, alu fatigues over time and will eventually crack and break. How long and when all depends on how hard your ride it and how well you maintain it. I’d say take it into a shop and have it inspected, and get an idea of its life that way. If there are no cracks, you’re probably OK at least for a while.
Thanks frank, I think that’s what I’m going to do – I baby my bikes in the house, but I seem to be spending more and more of my time finding unpaved and horrible roads to ride. I should start accepting I’m going to be breaking more things on a regukar basis and plan my bike succession that way…
@Simon
Yeah, what Frank said. I’m hoping Il Profetta just sees out the cobbles in spring, and if it does break it happens as I cross the line in the Velodrome or at the top of the Geraardsbergen! Then it goes straight to the pool room.
@brett
+1. If we could get jersey badges, that would be worth one.
Brett,
How’s the headset holding up? I have a line on a Team SC with the same finish.
Cheers!
@gravity bob
No problems at all, I got a Chorus expander and top cap and have had to re-adjust it once…
@Brett,
Good to hear. Which model year Chorus headset did you use?
@gravity bob
Not headset, just the fork expander and top cap. I have no idea what year, I got it for $15 off TradeMe… but it holds everything in!
@Brett,
Good to know. Thanks again. The more I look at the DFF ’02 model the more I like it over the LD 03-04 PVP version.
Brett – asking for a little help mate. I’m getting closer to pulling the trigger on an 02 Team SC. The frame is a size 56cm, same as yours. 56 is clearly stamped on the bottom bracket shell. What’s in question is the head tube length. The seller is saying it measures 188mm. That sounds pretty tall. None of the Merckx geometry charts I can find online have head tube measurements. On your 56cm Team SC, could you verify the head tube length?
Much appreciated!!
@gravity bob
@ Brett – no worries; got the measurement from the seller.
@gravity bob
Sorry mate, just saw this… mine is just under 180mm.
Why no love for Shimano-equipped Merckx’s? Think of all those 7 Eleven and Motorola squads. Those were some fine looking bikes.
Oh my Merckx… I have been tortured by the Team SC for years. First it was a constant nagging and yearning for the RWB version that taunted me on the road, in bicycle shops, and in pictures. Finances at the time only allowed for a Race model (in silver and black) that ultimately had to be returned due to a warranty issue with the headset and fork. Soured by the experience, I foolishly opted to replace my Merckx with a Colnago which has long since departed.
Shortly after becoming a Velominatus the torture returned because of Brett sharing his acquisition of a DFF Team SC. As I’ve looked at the images of the DFF, and recently spent hours on the trainer watching DVDs of the 2002 classics (most notably Paris-Roubaix), the nagging and yearning for a RWB Team SC has subsided; it’s the DFF version that now taunts and tortures me…
Rule #12 deems I should acquire a Merckx Team SC. Recently I’ve come across several new, old stock 2002 DFF framesets. Regretfully none have been my size. However, there is one Team SC in my size, new, old stock, I’ve found in the not too common transparent blue livery.
Although the most heralded and iconic finish for the Team SC is arguably the 2002 DFF, would not the transparent blue finish be an adequate alternate choice?
The fork on the 2002 was not perfect. Substituting a nude Ouzo Pro carbon fork on the transparent version would not be an affront to the aesthetic as it would to the DFF frame and fork coordinated finish. And when one has joined Herr Ullrich for too many sausages and pies in the off season, one would not look as foolish on a non-team livery Team SC.
So I ask the Velominati; should I continue to search for the elusive DFF or jump on the transparent blue?
g
That one looks great!
@brett
Thanks Brett. Looks like you have a 55cm according to the Merckx catalog. The 56cm is stated to have a massive 188mm headtube.
g
@gravity bob
Jump on it! Especially given it’s NOS condition. I agree the DFF paint is lovely, but its only paint. The ride will be what draws you to it again and again.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Whoa, risen from the dead! Nice to see you posting here again mate.
Or…. those were really old post and I wasn’t paying attention. Doh. Sad face.
@gravity bob
Ohhh, I LOVE my 2007 Scandium Merckx Premium! I have the blue colour frame and think it is perfect. Super bike, you will not be disappointed. Sooooo stiff and light. Just love it!
Here she is. Stock photo, exact same bike except I have black handlebar tape.
@gravity bob
Indeed I do! It’s stamped a 55… so technically, it’s too small for me! But it fits fine with a 130mm stem, and doesn’t look too ridiculous.
@brett
Technically the 55 is too small for me as well, so I’ll have a similar setup. The head tube on the 56 is simply too tall, even with a -17 stem.
@Buck Rogers
Nice to know! I’ve looked for Premium framesets as well; specifically with that blue/black finish. Very nice.
Impressive frame and great recollection !! Thanx to the big man too !!
I just found a NOS one… Never ridden.. never armed one… 56 cm
I’m so amazed and not only for the sake of it, I got it with a picture where Eddy Merkx himself gave it as a present for a senior rider that gave it to me as a present.