A tribute to Eddy Merckx. Every bicycle he raced

[@flyingdutchmanROS]

What a treat to hear Rich describe these super unique bikes that he painstakingly built to honor Eddy and his career. Thanks so much John for the time and effort to do this interview!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks!

[@williamcovey4162]

What a great video. I’m so glad I came across it. To see all the machines Eddy Merckx rode in his career was an education. And what a guy Rich Gangl is! A true enthusiast/racer of the old school. And what a beautiful shop he has. A lifetime of dedication to the craft. A true artist in steel. I must admit I had never heard of Rich Gangl before. Thank You so very much!

[@StevenWhitmore-k7e]

Rich Gang is the real deal. I am honored to have ridden with him. This is wonderful. I never got to visit his shop, until now.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Interesting! Thanks for watching

[@christopherbrown5333]

Loved it. From Grand Junction, CO. Gangl worked in a GJ bike shop in the early 1970s. Bike Pedler.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

He said that the owner there taught him how to build wheels there.

[@sandyh5873]

Wow, totally blown away, I raced a steel Eddy Merckx, and ride a carbon Merckx presently. This was such an awesome trip to the past and so much great knowledge.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

SO glad you enjoyed it.

[@alanhill5278]

Hi John ........Id heard of Rich as a frame builder over here in England , but did,nt realize his passion and subsequent skill in his Merckx collection, also his astounding success in his racing career. As usual John a super video.......thanks again........Alan.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks Alan

[@haveblue117]

Fantasic video, like always! Thers aren´t too many videos around about classic road bikes and I highly appreciate your work. 👍👍👍

[@uncleronny6748]

You did a great job interviewing him. No agenda or running over his dialogue...that makes a great interviewer. Think of it as drillium for the tongue.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Drillium for the tongue! LOL

[@MartinChenoweth-p4b]

Rich is a TRUE MASTER FRAMEBUILDER!! I love the one he built for me.

[@DarrenChubb-g7f]

Hi a good video he does a fantastic job l had 753 road bike based on Steven Roche 87 team my first road bike I 1978 531 frame campy record and single campy record wheels l won a few club races felt so good thanks from Australia

[@grumpy9478]

what nice, humble craftsman. I hope he's turning out apprentices... the world needs more like him. {great video too, John, thx.}

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

I agree! I dont think he's doing classes now.. But who knows

[@williamcovey4162]

ABSOLUTELY!

[@guyapple1727]

What a great video and Rich is obviously a wonderful person, builder, painter, racer, vintage bicycle enthusiast and organized thinker. The bikes are very special. I would bet that even though he is now sort of retired and has more time, the shop is as clean as it ever was. Not typical.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

YES SIR!

[@mpetry912]

thanks John for the tour of Rich's collection !

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

So welcome. Rich did an amazing job and loves for people to see it.

[@tongalizia3175]

Great great video,,,(the Magistroni guy here) specially the Eddy Merckx pista. As a 10 year old kid, I was there with my uncles in the Agustin Melgar Olympic Velodrome in 1972. that’s the time the bicycle bug got hold of my soul. I think I’ll built a replica pista bike to honor the cannibal…..before I won’t be able to ride….thank you ,,,thank thank,, ps: you are doing a super great job…..

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks so much for watching! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@joesch1733]

Rich Gangl's reproduction Merckx tribute bikes are amazing with all the details. What a talented builder and a former great cyclist who even won a world championship. Was great to see his impressive workshop. John is very fortunate to get to interview and video such amazing cycling building legends. Keep up the good work John.

[@robertlaslo8951]

This guy is AMAZING!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

He's accomplished so much for sure!

[@goldcoastjon]

Thanks for showcasing Rich Gangl, who deserves all the kudos you offered him. I never knew that Merckx rode 531 frames before....

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

What did you think he rode?

[@danielhall3895]

@@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe Most people would assume since Ernesto Colnago and Hugo DeRosa personally built the bulk of his bikes during his career, that he would've mostly been on Columbus tubed bikes. People who dig far enough would only then find out that Hugo DeRosa bucked the trend and often used Reynolds 531 for Merckx's bikes because 531 came in multiple grades, with 531 Super Light(Renamed 'Professional') being a lighter, thiner tube selection than SL, for professional builders of pro bikes. 531 SL was like a non heat treated forerunner of 753.

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

@danielhall3895 Leave that to the Artisans. Where do you get your secondary Assumptions from?

[@danielhall3895]

@@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe You asked what OP thought Merckx rode. Since the majority of his bikes built for him during his career were made by two of the most famous Italian frame builders known to most steel frame enthusiasts, the most common assumption by most is that he rode Columbus SL frames exclusively. Leave what exactly to the artisans? Your statement makes no sense without explanation.

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

@danielhall3895 The Building! Already on thin Ice here. Reynolds didn't exist at all?

[@Mark-hn5bm]

Excellent interview. Incredible collection. This man is a legend. His passion is unbelievable.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks, I agree. Very admirable.

[@dalton-at-work]

wow, what a career. and the craftsmanship!

[@andyZ3500s]

What a unbelievable Merckx collection. The weights and quality of these bikes blew me away. My grandfather never used dust caps on his track bike like the hour bike a through back to the six day races in the thirties.

[@adelheid_mueller]

One of the greatest cycling videos on KZbin! Thank you!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Wow.. flattering. Check out some of my others. Thanks!

[@MrMitchellw16]

Phenomenal interview, collection, and man! Please go back and do another video, it would be fascinating to go more in depth on building a frame or the paintwork. Amazing 🎉

[@JoelMcNabb-g3d]

Loved the video, John. Fascinating!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

So glad you enjoyed it

[@paulgaida2601]

Thanks John Saw all of the video Great interview Lovely bikes

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@stewartmowatt2337]

Amazing video i met eddy at a London cycle trade show when he was on the winning stand just after he retired from pro cycling

[@jonbrowning6839]

Fantastic interview. What purity of purpose.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks

[@SkyhawkSteve]

Holy cow! Just the Merckx tribute bikes could fill a video, but the whole sequence of bikes that he had ready to show were amazing! Add in his personal history and achievements, and the incredible shop... well, it's like a Thanksgiving dinner where you really should move away from the table, but you haven't had any of Aunt Helen's pumpkin pie yet, so maybe just a bit more.... 😆 Thanks so much to you and Rich!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

I agree. There was a lot in this video. It was an honor to be there.

[@vladluskin4024]

Thanks so much, John. A great and informative video.

[@henkvandervis7785]

That guy is living a dream!

[@michaelkither2620]

Very talented fabricator with amazing attention to detail... thanks for sharing...

[@amiravitzur1613]

Wow. Thanks for that, John.

[@robertgriffin7569]

Thank's for making my day... Thanx again John.. Great video. ✌️❤😁

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

So glad you enjoyed it.

[@xavierderck3910]

Fantastic video. Me Belgian myself, was in walhallah for 30 mins. In Roeselare, west Flanders, there's an exceptional museum of vintage bikes. A must visit

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Thanks John for a very interesting video. Rich is a very clever man and very modest as well. From being a kid back in the 60s here in the UK I have always wanted a Colnago but then and now they are still out of my price range. I was hoping that when bikes with discs became popular I would pick one up cheap but still no chance of that ever happening.

[@williamcovey4162]

Never stop looking!

[@mikegreenpants4885]

John, thanks for posting this. I was always a Merckx fan. Got to meet him once. Great content. Keep it up.

[@davidtreichelpppj5304]

Wow . That was AWESOME.... I appreciate this guys appreciation of Eddy .... I had a chance to see him here in the bay area but didn't go darn .... I would have recreated those bikes in my size too .... Nice Video ...Thanks....

[@IslandPink]

What a treat, thanks for this excellent video John. What an accomplishment from Rich to do all that, in such fine period detail...plus his great racing career. It takes me back to when I started riding in the UK in 1978 and starting getting 'Cycling' magazine. Super Record mech with the titanium bolts was the dream ! These days I use a custom Woodrup frame, built 2016, in 853 tubing, in 'celeste' colour. I use a mix of old and new parts, but still love the 1970's style, I started with perforated Italian shoes handed-down from a teacher at school !

[@albertoroldan8752]

Thanks for the GS! That was a lot of fun.

[@91LX50Mike]

Great video….Mr. Gangl is a true craftsman……

[@BertoBerg]

What a fun and interesting guy! Thanks for your time.

[@cosmomaker]

Muito bom, vídeo histórico 👏👏👏

[@rickguerrero2282]

Wow…….what an amazing bike dude! I understand his desire to honor Mr. Merckx. I have a silver Eddy Merckx frame I bought from a guy in Germany that he called a “Kessels” frame. It has a crown on the front fork rather than a heart. I turned it into a fixed gear…….built the wheels based on Phil Woods hubs and Campagnolo rims. It was in pretty rough shape when I got it I also have an orange/blue Merckx time trial frame (shortened front forks for a smaller sized front rim) that was repainted. I had plans to build this bike from scratch hut time got away from me (at least for now). I sourced NOS Campy equipment. One day, I pick it up again and finish it.

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

"...that he called a “Kessels” frame." Kessels built frames for Merckx.

[@ehick72]

That was amazing to watch! Thanks for sharing!!

[@Abandon7d]

Wow!! how deep can one go! Love this guy, love you make the video on it!

[@williamcovey4162]

Thanks for a great interview and video. This was an education. We can never stop learning! I will remember the name Rich Gangl from now on.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks! More to come!

[@johnfarmer4236]

Thanks for such a great interview of an amazing man.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks John

[@Mark-c4t9j]

Excellent video, thanks for taking the effort to share that experience with us.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks Mark! Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@getplaning]

What a fascinating person. I look forward to more of your interviews.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks! I'll be doing some bike work before you see more interviews. However interviews coming up will be Mike Kone, previous owner of Rene Herse and Ron Boi of RRB Cycles.

[@Saints66]

WOW thank you John, that was amazing 👏👏

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TroubadourJuggernaut]

Wow that was remarkable Sir. !!!

[@mullrump2]

AMAZING!!

[@TPetroch]

Wow - what a fantastic video!!Such a unique and beautiful collection of tribute bikes to Merckx. Really enjoyed this video, especially the detail and passion from Rich. Thank you!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

He's great on camara. So blessed he took the time.

[@n22pdf]

Wow this is brilliant ❤😊 what a guy and collection so talented.. Pete 👍🚴🏻😊

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

yes he is.. Thanks for watching.

[@markmoffett6813]

AWESOME man Thanks for sharing Mark from Maryland 😊

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks Mark!!

[@gazcliff]

Awesome video what an amazing collection very talented guy 👍

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks so much!

[@dinodaniel2237]

Great video John. That was my most favourite period in cycling. Whenever in need of a 70’s cycling fix I watch the movie Stars and Water Carriers on KZbin. FAEMA is pronounced Faw -Emma.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Totally cool. Glad you enjoyed it

[@robertgallagher7228]

Wo what an amazing guy love this such perfect bikes

[@GuzzFieldTonKi]

Enjoyed the video John. What an amazing collection and a talented builder.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks so much for watching. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stickmenkissarmy6907]

That was sooo amazing 🎉🎉🎉 thanks. Some of the most beautiful bike I have ever seen...

[@401SNelson]

Very nice video! I love this kind of bike content!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@whynotride327]

I have one of the 1986 World Championship Rolls saddles, mounted on a bike I almost never ride anymore.

[@WilliamParker-g5g]

SUPER NICE STUFF, I RACE MERCKX BIKES AS A JR AND 1,2,PRO. ABSOLUTLY LOVE THIS BRAND AND LOOK UP TO THE MAN....LOVE IT

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Excellent. Thanks for watching

[@davecipres6612]

Oh so radical. What a magical place to visit. I just received my 144 drillium chainring for my Merckx the other day. I feel like I’m in the club now 😊

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thats pretty cool

[@MikedeGarry]

Superb. That was a great 35 minutes !

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

How do you feel about 35 min videos? too long?

[@MikedeGarry]

@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage This one wasn't too long, the time flew by.

[@chrismoore-keish7476]

John, this is such a great video. To watch Rich do his masterful craft was so amazing. Thanks for making it possible for me and your following community to "be in the room." Are you inspired to "bend some steel" yourself?

[@thecatsonholiday5932]

Whoa, this was great. Thanks so much 🙏

[@petermarshall7775]

loved the visit

[@maxwellspeedwell2585]

Well John, you did it again. Another over-the-top video that somehow manages to beat the other great videos you make. Keep it up. Your trips down memory lane pull at my heart strings.

[@davidmailander8165]

Your best content yet. Extremely interesting

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks!

[@mark950-d7d]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ♥♥♥ What a video!!!!!!!!!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@markholt7750]

Great video! Thanks!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks Mark

[@bootchop88]

Rad shop!

[@frankducett9]

This guy is a National treasure.

[@dsbikes1819]

Awesome period correct bikes!!!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

He was accurate down to the spoke nipple

[@brabantstraat]

@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage The Peugeot has the wrong graphics, though..

[@andrewhorsfall6452]

Very cool video John.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

@@andrewhorsfall6452 thank you Andrew. Hope things are well on that side of the pond.

[@geraldwilliams860]

Loved that, great video

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching

[@michaelcrouch5708]

Watching from the UK, some truly amazing people, equipment and bikes you have, some questions that perhaps experts could answer, I noticed Eddie's early bikes had mudguard eyes, would that have been the norm then? And i wondered what prompted Eddie to change over to reynolds tubing, also his later track bike was 753, but he stuck with 531 for the road, I also wondered why he did that, thanks for the video John.

[@renatomonteiro1198]

👏👏 Bravo!!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thankss

[@JoelMcNabb-g3d]

John, we are neighbors. I live in Aurora and have a small collection of vintage racers (small compared to yours, lol). Darrell Yarborough is a good friend we have in common. Spent part of the day with him yesterday.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Greetings! Thanks for checking in. Whats your favorite bike in your collection?

[@JoelMcNabb-g3d]

@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage That's a tough one. It's like picking your favorite child, lol. It's close between my 1971 Motobecane LeChampion and my 1987 Wilier Triestina. Both purchased from the original owners and in beautiful condition. I prefer them as original as possible within reason.

[@JoelMcNabb-g3d]

Oh wait, maybe it's my pristine 1978 Colnago Super that's favorite. I can't decide.

[@StanEby1]

Love it!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Thanks Stan!

[@77gmcnut]

I saw Eddy Merckx at a bicycle trade show. Pretty cool.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Wow. I saw him at Interbike many moons ago when I worked for GT.. it was cool back then. All the old pros just walking around.

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

Me too! Had a rainbow jersey I was collecting autographs on. Merckx autographed it while giving me s__t because of the clothing brand of the jersey! Never ask his opinion on anything unless you REALLY want to hear it!

[@StevenWhitmore-k7e]

Rich mentions Pino Maroni and Cecil Behringer. Two amazing guys..look them up.

[@maxwellspeedwell2585]

I designed and built an aluminum bike. People ride a Cannondale and thus think aluminum bikes are harsh, and have a skiddish front-end that wants to tuck-under. Not at all true (I’m digressing….). Wanted to equip that bike with Pino parts. The best I could do was QR skewers. Bottom bracket cassettes we’re made from unobtainium.

[@JohnRadford-iy7db]

I know back in the day eddy had a ultra light frame built for one day use in the mountains.on a tour de france so the grapevine says.

[@JohnRadford-iy7db]

Gerry shield bike shop in Manchester now closed had one of eddy's orange team bikes in the window of the bike shop . Which gerrymandering bought off eddy. Back in the day

[@keithandrews7696]

John .. you're videos are so much better from an interview standpoint. You know the drill .. shut up and let the guest do the talking. They will lead you down roads you never would find by talking too much yourself. Rich was an aces interview!

[@JohnRadford-iy7db]

Super bikes

[@zbillster]

Premium Cycling had an Eddy Merckx FIAT 1977 De Rosa team bike for sale last year, but it was like 60 or 61cm which made it suspect. Tempting but of course expensive. I'm a 62 to 64cm guy.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

@@zbillster were they claiming it belonged to Eddy

[@zbillster]

@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage found the listing under sold bikes. Center to top 60.3 cm. Reads as follows: Extremely proud to present an authentic bike of one and only Eddy Merckx, when he rode for Team Fiat back in 1977. The bike was made and confirmed by De Rosa facilities. It’s shinning in original paintjob, made of Reynolds 531 tubing. Built with Campagnolo Nuovo Record / Super Record 1st gen groupset (175mm cranks), Cinelli stem and handlebar, Cinelli Unicanitor saddle, Mavic SSC Oro rims. Even the smaller parts like chain, freewheel, brake pads, brake and shifting cables, cables housing, cable clamps are STILL ORIGINAL. Tubulars and bar tape have been replaced. Museum piece. Comes with a signed statement by De Rosa facilities, that the bike was made for Eddy Merckx.

[@recyclespinning9839]

Wow, is all I can say..

[@johndef5075]

I wonder is he using the 531 or 531c tubing. The 531c was supposedly lighter competition. I have a 531c Raleigh that rides really nice.

[@sacroyprofanoGOML]

Great video! Are they originals or copies? If they are originals I wonder if it is right that these beautiful bikes with history are not in Belgium (¿?!!!)

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Hi thanks. did you watch the entire video? If you skip through it you'll miss details..

[@sacroyprofanoGOML]

Ok, since it's a long video I missed that clarification. Thanks John!

[@xavierderck3910]

He told 10 times they are identical copies!!!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

@@xavierderck3910 except for size and sometimes tires

[@ayeayethantlamarca8356]

John,is there any truth to the rumor that Merckx’s Mexico City track bike had the tires filled with helium instead of air for his hour attempt? Also , would liked to have heard what size gear Eddy had used. As always ..these bike nuts you interview are a wealth of info! Looking forward to the next video!

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

bikeretrogrouch.blogspot.com/2014/05/will-real-hour-record-bike-please-come.html Maybe the most detailed bit on the Hour bike? But no mention of helium in the tires, sorry.

[@maxwellspeedwell2585]

Well, I learned a lot. I assumed the Peugeot was a 531 Masi, and the Faema bike was also a 531 Masi. Makes sense that the Faema Masi would be SL but I had understood that the bulk of the Italian Masi bikes were 531. Personally, I just love the feel, and feedback of SL tubing.

[@brabantstraat]

The 1966 Peugeot was a stock factory Peugeot PX10, plastic derailleurs and all. The 1967 "Peugeot" was a custom Masi.

[@hernehill6282]

Thanks for the great video. I'll suggest that you minimize camera movement and sudden shifts to reduce the sea-sickness effect, and hold the shots so that we can relish all that vintage awesomeness.

[@bigbird2451]

I was once at the dump and right there on top of the steel recycling pile was a complete, pristine Eddy Merckx road bike. Maroon over chrome. I asked if I could rescue it and was told no, nothing was allowed to leave the area. So I told the attendant how much that bike was potentially worth and his eyes lit up. Hopefully he broke the rules and escorted it to safety and had a Very merry Christmas.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

@@bigbird2451 wow. What a story

[@Stevehatesgravel]

Faema a is still my favourite bike along with the Flandria of the 70s. It’s CAMPAG 🤣🤣🤣 it’s still weight that counts. That Gangl is lighter than the average plastic bikes in the tour these days 🤣🤣

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Pretty crazy what they had to do to get a bike down to the weight wanted.

[@carlosgaspar8447]

had a windsor at one time. nice details but on the heavy side.

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Those were interesting bikes. I wanted a Professional for the longest time. But hard to find in good shape.

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

Great tribute to the Cannibal! Are the real makers of these bikes OK with these replicas? Don't rely on Gangl as to how to pronounce Italian names. Interesting a guy who knows Reynolds tubing doesn't say FIVE-THREE-ONE instead of five-thirty-one? You're living-the-dream!!! Good work!!! Thanks!

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Half the bicycles are the real bikes. Half, he built.

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage I know, I wondered about the replicas vs originals. One would think they'd be flattered but ya never know? Just read Eddy crashed and hurt himself again. At 79 they can't keep him off the bike? He's got 10 years on me but I hope I'm out there riding at his age!

[@mark950-d7d]

When did the pro peloton began using 7 spd freewhees?

[@pittsburghgeo]

Rich, what was that sapphire bolt on the Gangl world championship bike?

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

@@pittsburghgeo yes it is!

[@pittsburghgeo]

@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage Sorry, I meant where can you get them?

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

@pittsburghgeo I got a pair from this place in Poland. Forgot the name. They're known for different brake hoods. You can Google brake hoods Poland and probably find it

[@gedeonbauer3885]

I'm sweaty... .

[@agcgilmour]

Rich, you didn't mention your World Championship?

[@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

He's a pretty humble guy.

[@MollyMcCabe-k9t]

plural!!