{"id":759937,"date":"2026-06-25T09:42:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T09:42:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/759937\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T09:42:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T09:42:12","slug":"molteni-bike-handbuilt-for-a-teammate-of-merkx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/759937\/","title":{"rendered":"Molteni bike, handbuilt for a teammate of Merkx"},"content":{"rendered":"

One thing\u2019s for certain, this is not Eddy Merckx<\/a>\u2019s bike, it\u2019s far too large for him. Instead, it\u2019s a team bike, sprayed in Molteni colours, which, among other clues, dates it to the early 1970s.<\/p>\n

It was almost certainly ridden by Merckx\u2019s loyal, taller teammate Joseph Bruy\u00e8re, a rider blessed with a talent of such magnitude that he was only eclipsed by \u2018The Cannibal\u2019 himself. The bike now forms part of Dave Marsh’s collection.<\/p>\n

Identifying the builder of this bike is a trickier proposition. The list of those who made frames for Merckx around this time reads like a roll-call of the most skilled artigiani who ever lit a brazing torch \u2013 Masi, Colnago and De Rosa being the most iconic.<\/p>\n

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\"Eddy\n<\/p>\n

A cut out bottom bracket gives a glimpse of what’s inside, but must have been hard to keep clean.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

However, the frame is later than Merckx\u2019s Masi period, and it predates De Rosa. The Molteni-era Colnago frames often include an Ace of Spades emblem somewhere, often on the fork crown, but there\u2019s no sign of a logo on this bike.<\/p>\n

The Reynold 531<\/a> decal on the rear face of the seat tube does provide a clue. It practically rules out any Italian builder (Colnago occasionally specced Reynolds) and instead points us towards Belgian bike brand Kessels.<\/p>\n

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\"Eddy\n<\/p>\n

Deep orange is a colour inextricably linked to Merckx<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

Fernand Kessels fulfilled orders from Merckx during this period, with many bikes featuring Reynolds 531 double-butted tubing throughout. However, he was not a builder, and instead relied on others to construct the frames for him. So, we\u2019ll probably never know the builder behind this bike.<\/p>\n

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The components are mostly Campagnolo Nuovo Record \u2013 the outer chainring is Super Record \u2013 augmented by a Cinelli 1A quill stem and deep drop 66 pattern bars. The wheels feature Mavic Pro Rims laced to Campagnolo Record large-flange hubs. The sharp-eyed will notice that the Brooks Professional saddle has been modified by Ottusi of Milan.<\/p>\n

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