Karel Mintjens Strada Eddy Merckx Vintage Steel Road Bike Shimano 105 Columbus

Karel Mintjens Strada By Eddy Merckx

Who was Karel Mintjens?

"Karel Mintjens was a very decent amateur cyclist who became good friends with Eddy Merckx through his youngest brother, Frans. Frans Mintjens was one of the lieutenants of Eddy Merckx from 1969-1977, riding along his side at the Faema, Molteni and Fiat era.

Karel Mintjens and his brothers took over the family business producing high quality oak furniture. After his cycling career, Karel Mintjens started a local cycling team, riding blue Eddy Merckx bikes labelled with the company logo ‘Karel Mintjens’. Karel Mintjens bikes are nowadays considered real collector’s items amongst Belgian and international connaisseurs because only about 250 of these bikes were made over 2 decades. With some luck, you might find versions with different steel tubes, titan, aluminium or even carbon fibre. The Mintjens family tended to give them away to their customers on special occasions. So if you come across one, make sure to buy it since it is worth saving!"  -Le Cycleur

*This item only ships within the contiguous United States*

Item Condition:

This bike has been evaluated by our professional mechanics & is described as accurately as possible.

Originally purchased as a NOS showroom bike

Shows general light wear from storage and age - Hence the new/other designation

There are a few brake marks on the rims as well as small scratches on the frame

Wheels are true within 1mm, hub bearings are smooth with no play

Cables, derailleurs, shifters, and brakes all function properly

Headset and Bottom Bracket bearings are smooth with no play

**Bike may need general tuneup + adjustment for individual rider preference** 

**This bicycle is a vintage era collector's item and any servicing or component replacement is solely the buyers responsibilty given its age.**

Item Details:

Brand: Eddy Merckx - Model: Karel Mintjens

Columbus STRADA tubing

Wheel Size: 700c

Speed: 7

Rear Dropout Type: Horizontal Quick Release 130mm

  Top Tube: 535mm (c-c) approx - measured in house

Seat Tube Length: 540mm (c-t)  / 520mm (c-c)

Headtube Length: 110mm

Weight:23.7lbs

COMPONENTS:

Fork: Eddy Merckx Steel

Fork Dropout Type: QR 100mm

Steerer Length: 150mm

Steerer Type: 1" threaded

Shifters: Shimano | 105 SL-1055

Brakes: Shimano | 105 BR-1055

Front/rear derailleur: Shimano | 105 | FD-1055 | RD-1055 

Crankset: Shimano | 105 | FC-1055   Size: 172.5mm

Chainrings: 53/39

Stem: 3T  Size: 100mm

Handlebars: 3T  Size: 400mm

Headset: Shimano | 105 

Saddle: Selle Italia | Carrera

Seatpost: Kalloy 27.2mm

Cassette: Shimano  Ratio: 13/23

Wheelset: Shimano 105 Laced to Ambrosio Super Elite Clincher Rims

Hub Type/Spacing: Front QRx100mm | Rear QRx130mm

Tires: Vittoria | Georgia | 700x22c

Pedals: LOOK Arc (cleats not included)