You can view some of the early Merckx catalogs here:
http://bulgier.net/
Interesting in that first catalog the close up of the seatstay caps actually have Eddy's signature, not the "EM" stamp. There is also some good info on Ugo De Rosa's role in Eddy's early manufacturing career. I'd love to learn more about the men behind the marquee as well. If anybody has a good resource, please fire away.
I've read a few articles on this (wish I could remember where!) but, my understanding is that the first "official" Merckx branded frames were shown at trade shows in 1980 with the first batch arriving in stores by '81.
-Justin LaBo Oakland, CA
On 10/12/07, htravis@attglobal.net <htravis@attglobal.net> wrote:
> -oOo-
> The seat stays
> wrapped all the way around the front of the seat lug, which I thought
> was unique and cool, but the racers didn't think so because the
> fastback Cinelli style was cooler and used less metal, so was lighter.
>
> Yes, the fastback Cinelli style was lighter.....by about a foreskin.
>
> On topic, though, would someone point to a history of Eddie Merckx's
> firm as a bike builder? Preferably, one with the names of the artisans,
> and, OK, the business people, who nourished and developed the brand?
>
> I might ask the same about Lemond, but he is, fortunately, too recent
> and, so, OT.
>
> Harry Travis
> Washington, DC
> USA
> --
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> travis.dot.harry.trying.gmail.com
> DemostiX