Conference noted::bicycle

    John,
    
    I would expect your handlebar bag to be a problem for it.  The
    sterring is just not made for weight that high above the axle
    and, and, and, besides, it just offends the sensitivity of a
    high strung Italian equipped European racing frame to have a,
    a, a, handlebar bag.
    
    Sounds like a nice combo, John.
    
    ed

< Note 916.2 by KUDZU::ELLIS "John Lee Ellis - assembly required" >

    > Was this a custom mountain bike?

    Made to order, with my choice of size and tubing type.  Deore XT
    components, Super Turbo seat, Hite-Rite... it's a class act.

    
    
    When I was looking for a frame last year, I talked to Paul Randazzo
    of Cat I Cycle Goods about Eddy Merckx frames and he started choking.
    He showed me some pictures of the of the brazing technique they
    use . The bikes sit on a carousel table that rotates very slowly,
    the joints are pre-heated before they reach the brazer. Depending
    on how fast the brazer is dictates how long the joints sit in front
    of the torch. Obviously you can see where a frame might be overheated
    causing the frame to either be weak or not straight.
    	I don't know if Paul just has something personal against Eddy
    Merchx or not, I guess the moral of the story is if your going to
    spend big bucks make sure your not spending it on a name instead
    of quality...
    
    good luck
    Joe
    
    P.S. I bought a Marinoni custom for $750

    .5 not withstanding, I'm happy with my recent selection of an E.M.,
    SLX, criterium geometry frame.  I took it with me to DECworld (I
    was there for three weeks) and found it a real delight to ride in
    the mountains there.
    
    I outfitted mine with Super Record.  I've always had good experience
    with my * Record stuff and wasn't ready to trust an 'unproven',
    even though Campy, product line.
    
    Enjoy Valbonne.  I can recommend a few routes if you're interested.
    (Give me a day or so to dig out my maps.)
    
    Jim
    

    
    re: .5
    
    Paul Randazo "chokes" when you talk about anything that he doesn't
    sell!!!  I think he's got those pictures sitting there, and whatever
    frame you want to talk about (other than a Marinoni of course) he
    show's you the pictures....   
    
    E.M is probably better than most, and worse than some....
    
    Stew

    I've got two E.M.'s and love them both. If you want a European road
    racing bike frame, you can find none better. They are made for day-in
    day-out stage racing. I can ride the E.M.'s and never feel "beaten
    up" like some frames have done. As proof, I did an overnite 300
    miler on Eddy. No problem.
    
    GS

I don't know if they are all so ugly.  Without the paint job you would be hard
pressed to tell one frame from an other (looks I'm talking about not ride). 
You can get them in pro team colors.  The old Panasonic team bike which was
blue and white looks pretty good to me.  There is also a red and white from
some other team which I forget at the moment.  But you can also get it in the
Kelme team colors, now there is an ugly bike.

>< Note 916.8 by DPDMAI::SMITH "The Solitary Cyclist" >

>    I can ride the E.M.'s and never feel "beaten
>    up" like some frames have done. As proof, I did an overnite 300
>    miler on Eddy. No problem.
    
Ahhh... this was a concern - comfort on long rides... though it may take
me a while to work up to 300 miles.  Whew!  Did you have lights mounted?

-john

>   Did you have lights mounted?
    
    Yes, I did. I used a Brite Light and the ride organizers planned
    it during the time of a full moon {which helped tremendously 8^)
    }.
    
    Good luck in picking a frame
    
    Gary
    

	Thank you all for your helpful remarks.  I tried the Merckx
	and it was great (on hills, on flats, on rough paving)...
	but about 1cm to big (or rather I'm 1cm too small).

	So tomorrow I take delivery on a De Rosa with the C-Record
	from the Merckx - midnight blue with yellow lettering, etc. -
	ought to look passable.  :-)

	-john 

    Look me up wnen you are in Valbonne if you like and we can take out
    your De Rosa and my Gazelle (Dutch frame) in the hills here. I'm in
    Algo 1 on ext 5631.
    
    John