Hello and thanks for checking out this listing of a stunning 1986 Eddy Merckx 54cm lugged Columbus SLX steel road bicycle in excellent condition. This barely ridden Handmade-in-Belgium racing bicycle comes from the collection of a vintage bike addict who is making room for another purchase. It features a host of extremely desirable parts from Shimano, Cinelli, Phil Wood, and Selle Italia.
The lugged steel frame features 54cm center-to-center top tube and seat tube measurements with a 12.5cm head tube length. It would be the perfect bike for riders from 5'9" to 5'11" tall depending upon your preference. Cinelli bars measure 42cm center-to-center and the Cinelli quill stem measures 120mm in length.
Shimano's 600 group is complete with brake levers, brakes, shifters, 170mm 50/39 crank, and derailleurs. The 8-speed freewheel is in beautiful shape. Custom-built aluminum clincher Matrix rims are laced to extremely desirable Phil Wood hubs. Headset and seat post both come from Campagnolo. A Selle Italia Turbo suede saddle tops the post and earns the bike additional style points.
The Columbus SLX frameset presents beautifully in Team Hitachi livery of chrome (chainstays), pearl white, yellow, and orange with black "Eddy Merckx" logos outlined in a narrow band of gold paint. The "Made in BELGIUM" sticker still appears on the down tube just aft of the lower head tube lug. Period-correct Zefal stainless steel bottle cages round out a lovely package.
130mm rear spacing makes this bike easy to upgrade to a modern drivetrain such as 9/10/11-speed options. There is a small patch of missing paint on the rear of the non-driveside fork leg from storage. Otherwise the bike is in beautiful vintage condition.
This is a beautiful bike ready for display in your collection or on the road at your next vintage sportive event. As a 1986 it is 100% eligible for participation in the growing "Eroica" series of cycling gran fondos.
The bike will be professionally and diligently packed to keep it in the excellent condition that you see in the photographs. Please contact me with any questions, I am happy to answer them. Review my feedback and buy with confidence. Thanks again!