Original 7-Eleven Merckx Team Bike | Alex Stieda's Retro-Modern Masterpiece

[@muchirigateri]

Alex strikes me as someone who would do well as a GCN presenter. Well spoken, articulate and interesting.

[@Grunge_Cycling]

Let the man enjoy his retirement.

[@PnlBtr]

Agreed. Seems like a good bloke.

[@owenbrennan4887]

He coaches youth now myself being one

[@jev2867]

@@owenbrennan4887 is his enthusiasm in the video same in person? Seems like a great guy to go riding with.

[@owenbrennan4887]

@@jev2867 he certainly is he led me out in a couple races and lent me those exact carbon wheels for another.

[@jakubwierzbicki6219]

Please consider making Alex talking about old(er) gear a regular feature, everything about this video is fantastic!

[@87cigs]

Gotta do it with cannings though. As cool as it was watching Simon be lost and say nice, Id rather see this guy and Jon go off the deep end on these older pieces of kit.

[@JonCannings]

87cigs haha, would be fun

[@irvhh143]

Riding the fondo with the same steel bike you rode as a pro in the 80s.. ultimate cool..

[@faithinverity8523]

I was walking my dog around the block on evening when one of my neighbors rolled up on a 7-11 Merckx. He was on that team. Small world. Fabulous bike.

[@richm.3477]

Who was that?

[@stevenp.sparks2953]

I met Alex at the Olympic Training Center in '93. What a super guy, and when it was time to ride, he was as excited as a kid on his first bicycle..... Sparks in Daytona

[@yorbalindason]

My neighbor growing up got one of these when he volunteered for the cycling events at the 84 Olympics in Los Angeles. I started riding bikes because of that neighbor. Those team bikes are very cool. I had it in my garage for a while during the Atlanta Olympics. Years later my son was on Axels team and got to meet Eddy who rode in the team car behind him during some time trials. Love to see the history. Hmmm wonder if the neighbor still has it.

[@bunkerman99]

Retrobikes in no particular order for me at least 1. A 7-11 bIKe like pictured here 2. Colnago C40 painted in Mapei colors or 3. A Gios Torino in Blue like DeVlaminck. Thanks for another good show.

[@bengt_axle]

A bike like this will ride wonderfully. Plenty of compliance from the steel fork and plenty of lively spring with stiffness on the rest of the frame. Steel really soaks up the high frequency road vibrations. Perfect grandfondo machine. If i had to get a new bike, I’d stick with custom steel, as the ride is so smooth. You feel less rattled after a ride on rough tarmac and I like the spring when climbing out of the saddle. Slower on the seated climb, but I don’t care, since I’m just riding with friends.

[@johns3106]

Every one of the 7-eleven riders I’ve seen speaking of their Merckx frames LOVED the way they rode!

[@teridzard1776]

The nicest bike featured in GCN videos within the last 5 years.

[@Veloman1957]

Wow a 34 on the back. Great video.

[@williamcvaughan7921]

That's a beautiful bike from a great time in my memory.

[@kwtnbe]

Sweet, 11-speed Dura Ace on friction DT shifters... Stieda looks fit!

[@awafityfour]

Too bad that Shinmano only made 10s downtube shifters, though there's a hack: forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=185686 ... that bike screams for this!

[@liammcgough9969]

Great Video! GCN should have Greg Lemond for an interview about his race bikes. I would love that!

[@mmmbetter55]

Beautiful, classic bike, perfectly used, upgraded and maintained

[@e_sk8_pittsburgh]

I have an old Schwinn World Sport hooked up to my trainer. I changed the handlebars to a wider set, changed the crankset and arms to 1x with 165mm arms, use the same gearing that I have on my gravel bike. I also changed the seat to a Specalized Power. There's something about taking a classic old bike like that and turning it into something more modern, and more importantly, something that will get ridden again. It's like breathing new life into it

[@nielskjr5432]

I ❤️ retro bikes! I have an Eddy Merckx myself. The 10 years Anniversery model. Great video, thank you very much. 👍

[@SF_Native]

Wow, probably the best video on your channel.

[@whidbeyhiker4364]

I love all the scratches, that bike sees the road.

[@yellekoeel12]

Alex Stieda - What a delightful man. Plus, I love that his bike is dirty and looks recently ridden. Kudos to him!

[@daviddang82]

Lee O'Kelley they just finished the gran fondo

[@crustbrigtop1374]

Lol it looks polished af

[@yellekoeel12]

Did anyone else notice his cassette and how only the small cogs had grime on them.

[@CGB65]

@@yellekoeel12 I Am Not Worthy! Ha. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@glennoc8585]

@@yellekoeel12 furthermore the front is 39/53

[@gregp8220]

You guys need to do more retro bike videos. I rode and raced in the 80s and 90s seeing these bikes brings back memory’s of my old days. Those 7-11 guys where my heroes.

[@JayandSarah]

I had a chance to ride one of these factory 7-11 bikes back in the day I was maybe 15 years old. Blew my mind riding a bike from a pro.

[@patrykK1028]

They are too busy roasting retro bikes whenever they are featured. Bikes of famous cyclists are the only exceptions and their only non-cringe videos

[@that_which_is_not]

Who cares about the crank angle 😂 that bike is flippin lovely x

[@krisjones74]

Dua lity anyone who would complain about that should stick it up their arse.

[@MrVorpalsword]

@@krisjones74 it ruined it for me - I need spirit level exactitude or I can't sleep

[@charlesfosterkane8034]

Don’t like the stem not 1989 look...

[@awafityfour]

@@charlesfosterkane8034 quill stems are a complete PITA from both a fitting and mechanics' standpoint, any build that's meant to be ridden will benefit from updating to a modern stem, even if you have to cheat with a quill adapter... Personally I'd put two-piece or BB386evo cranks on it as well, I hate the flex in those old square-taper cranks, not to mention the terrible and brick heavy BBs.

[@seattlegrrlie]

So beautiful, so cool. Thank you for sharing

[@S2Sturges]

Nice to see Link looking so fit.. He came through with such a great collection of Canadian riders, Steve Bauer, Curt Harnett, Gervais Rioux, Alison Sydor, Gord Fraser, Brian Walton and many others...

[@paulthorpe766]

Nice - I have Sean Yates' old 7-Eleven, all original.

[@ralphc1405]

MY FAVE 7/11 and Motorola rider. With his handlebars positioned down and how he didn’t like STI shifters and his bike shorts riding up he was a force. SUPER strong time trial too! What are the ST/TT dimensions in cm’s???

[@crusherbmx]

Love it, old road bikes are amazing, i have no desire for a new bike

[@Hogiewheels]

This is without question my favourite ever GCN video, what a bike. Steida gave fantastic detail.

[@dercaptain2790]

Axel Steida???

[@prpapas]

I commute on a (slightly lower end) 1985 road bike set up just like this, and for several years, I did loads of club rides on another from '86. Friction shift only on those DT shifters... 53/39 crank w a 9 or 10 speed cassette, anywhere from 26 to a 32t large cog. Quill stem adapter up front. modern wheels. all this equals a great ride with the old steel lugged frames.

[@alexanderkang7246]

He actually rides that bike?!! If I saw an original 7-eleven cyclist riding an original 7-eleven EddyMerckx on the road, I'd have a heart attack. 7-eleven is STILL my favorite team and kit of all time!!!! Thank you for this video!

[@badger0888]

Kudos to our Canadian Hero Alex! One of my heroes when I started cycling. Still an amazing advocate for new riders.

[@sabrinaelkhamissi9440]

I will want a masterpiece to the gcn shop

[@nikveldkamp8630]

7-Eleven, the team name and what a fitting pun for this beautiful retro-modern upgrade.

[@canitogalicia]

This is what is cycling is all about ,,,,, the foundation American cycling is and always will be the 7-11 team....

[@GordonHadler]

Amazing bike, amazing clip! I own pretty much the same frame, still with its original metallic blue color. It was my first real high end road bike back in the early 90s. And with some modifications just like those Alex Stieda did, it still runs today.

[@Mosely2007]

A friend has this bike. His son Jeff Pierce rode it and won the final stage at theTour De France. WhenI met him in the 80s he rode it.

[@chiefrocker12]

Alex, is an absolute gentleman and true ambassador of our sport. I have been fortunate enough to have dinner and fine Italian wine over a few hours as we exchanged stories of our cycling life.

[@jman3ification]

Favorite GCN video!

[@edjesuitas1]

I am so pleasantly surprised to see how Alex looks so fit- he can still wear his yellow jersey! I love these stories form old pros on how they were back in the day so the kids today would appreciate how the modern components evolved. I have a '92 Gios Compact, selling in FB and now having 2nd thoughts as it still rides magnificently. Please do more of these videos.thumbs up!

[@Pratalax]

That is a thing of beauty. I want one.

[@ianfisher7880]

www.steel-vintage.com have one of these for sale right now. I bought my own bike from SVB (93 Colnago competition) they are great to deal with, my bike arrived in beautiful condition.

[@rubo1964]

Got 1978 team Raleigh record with modern shifters bb wheels breaks and crank.Love it handles beautifully.Great video To me it's ok replacing better components specially breaks.Modern breaks stop light years better then anything from 70 80s.Its a machine not jewelry and as machine improvements is fine

[@mortlow6688]

The coolest thing about this bike- he still ride it (fast) omg!?!?!- without aero, e tap, ceramic bearings.... missing link hahahaha - what a cool old pro cyclist....legend

[@AmazinFireMan]

Yes, absolutely brilliant!

[@fredmcgough748]

Loved the bike and the interview. Great job Simon! Maybe I will do the same thing to my 1984 Cannondale Sr 300.

[@newttella1043]

Jon Canning must've been so jealous of this interview. Perfect mix of retro modern. The Wolftooth hanger extender probably sent Jon over the edge.

[@SLOPPEWALL]

I'm sure somewhere in the comments someone already said this, but it would be a nice regular feature for GCN to interview these amazing cyclist from the past.

[@SIvers-or2ke]

Absolutely love it. I’ve just swapped everything back to my “all steel” bike for fun and I’m loving it.

[@jimkear6749]

Alex is great, bridging classic steel 80's with supreme knowledge of contemporary tech. Hope to see more of him. So many riders were great athletes but knew, or cared little, about the hardware under them. More please.

[@richcole3931]

Coolest video GCN has made to date. Alex is a legend.

[@rasmuswi]

I love when you let the owner (or rider - I guess pros don't necessarily own the bikes they ride) of the bike talk about the bike!

[@kevinbowe]

Totally agree. Hearing the bikes history from the original owner makes the history more 'personal'.

[@prestachuck2867]

Back in the 80’s, the pro was given the bike to own.

[@anthonyharris483]

Man I wish I had kept my old steel Scapin from the 80s from my old racing days. It had Columbus SLX tubing and rode beautifully much better than carbon framed bicycles. It just had life to it in terms of feel. Great to see this. I recently bought a NOS Columbus EL-OS frame that I will modernize. It is incredibly light for a steel frame.

[@johnandrews3568]

I raced against Alex a bunch of times back in the day and still have my team Pinarello as well. Those bikes were amazing works of art. Mine isn't a mix of new/old tho, just rebuilt with NOS Record parts that had to be replaced. Bring Alex back to GCN. He's great.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Hard to beat the feeling of a top end steel frame, they curve lines and soak up road vibration like you can't believe 👌🏼

[@minuteman4199]

Awesome content. It would be interesting to see more like this!

[@johnnydoe66]

GCN needs to do a regular segment on Restomods. Love old bikes brought back to life with newer components

[@frankhaas8174]

Great bike and video. Nice to see he's still riding his old race bike even with some modern gear attached. The 7-11 Team for me is the iconic symbol of American racing in the 1980's . I remember seeing them in person more than once. I lusted after one of those bikes back then and still do today!

[@guymorris6596]

I lived in metro Denver in 1988 and watched the Giro d'Italia on TV. I told my parents I wanted to meet the 7-11 riders, specifically Andy Hampsten who had won the race. I told them the team was based in Colorado Springs but would have to fly into Stapleton International Airport in Denver. I posed as the president of a non-existent 7-11 fan club. I called the airport information desk, posing as the club president and told the woman I was supposed to interview the time as soon as they got to the airport. She gave the airline, flight number, gate number, concourse and arrival time. I thanked her and headed to the airport after a convenience store stop. I got to the airport and walked right to the gate and sat down. I had my Sony Walkman cassette player, listening to a 1980s rock band and waited by myself there for the next six hours. The gate doors opened and the 7-11 team walked in and toward me. Just as I approached them some media vultures swooped in from behind me and toward the riders. Andy told them right away that I was the only true fan there, I had been waiting there alone for six hours, to back away until we were totally finished or they would have to schedule interviews through the team manager for a later date. I thanked Andy for that and talked to him, Ron Kiefel and a couple of other guys. Andy and Ron signed a 7-11 page inside a bike racing magazine for me. It's really too bad I didn't have a camera with me. They were all so laid back and excited that you would think Andy had just won the US national road championship instead of the greatest grand tour, il Giro.

[@guymorris6596]

I'm 58 years old now and that memory is still vivid, awesome and memorable.

[@ralphc1405]

@@guymorris6596 Awesome story. Don't forget that before 1989 they were basically riding Serotta frames just re-baged with the HUFFY and MURRAY names as a $ponsorship. So they were the first American frame company to take a stab at the European races.

[@andyzephyr1582]

Contagious enthusiasm. Love seeing a young(ish) guy like Si get so stoked about a bike from my era (I'm late 50's....) I was sure (but wrong) you guys were going to discuss his brief time in yellow. Half a day if I remember correctly, since they had double stages back then.

[@ianwynneuk]

Nice nice work Si, what a treat to have Alex ride and talk through it!

[@seansims8805]

One of my few possessions is an 85' Eddy Merckx pro...made in Belgium Columbus tubes...had campy strada cranks record derailuer mixed simplex tube shifters dura ace brakes cinelli crit horns circa era...with brake hoods upsidedown down, Sam Marco saddle mavic MA40's on campy hubs ...I had cinelli drops and some other part bin super score parts but when I stripped it down from the original after 500 Miles of storage years. Some stole the parts and all I have is frame and fork crank parts ...it's shall redeemed as it's prize possessive certainly...got it for 250$ and it got me off flat bars after 20+ years ...the whole steal is real thing finally hit me...rode Cannondale Klein and flat bar MTBs late 80s till say 2015ish

[@jochem1986]

I haven’t gotten excited about a video like this one for a long time. Thank you GCN, truely the best channel on KZbin.

[@chrisjamz2206]

That team inspired me to start racing in highschool. Alex, Phinney, Keifel,Hampsten, Roll et Al. Back then, the Coors Classic was Le Tour in the US and we craved every little bit of TV coverage. Alex looks as good as his bike. Great segment!!

[@hernanhernandez3861]

Alex still looks race fit. I'm proud to work for RBC and have Alex along for the fondo...

[@dubiouspolling5470]

good luck finding one of these

[@markmonroe7330]

Alex still looks fit and amazing. Great video.

[@gordonong943]

Alex Steida has always been one of the nicest , humble cyclist out there. He has always been just one of the fellas whether at a trade show, visiting a shop (as an Allsop Beam representative) at a race start or a finish. Great interview.

[@booklover3959]

I give this a super high thumbs up......the beauty and artistry of a vintage bicycle just can't be beat. And this was informative and very cool that he still uses it and that the owner himself gave you the tour. Please make more videos of vintage bikes and their racer owners! Just look at all the views and thumbs up.

[@cjharrer01]

Great bike, great presentation! Love the classic look of the bike!

[@yosoy-steve]

Finally, praise for this Merckx. LOL. I have an original '87 with the ADR paint colors and the original Campy Titanium C-Record. I still ride it to this day. I LOVE THIS BIKE!!! My ex-bro-in-law has the 7/11 with DuraAce. His sits in a basement somewhere untouched for 20+ years

[@davidferris4299]

Looks awesome. I’ve a De Rosa Nuovo Classico in the stable, with modern Campag 11 speed group set. I love the old frame geometry with the benefit of modern shifters 😊

[@GordonMoat]

Same bike in red and white, running modern DT Swiss wheels. I'm still on 8 speed (1992) set-up, though this video gives me some gearing ideas.

[@marinusholland]

I agree I have it with Chorus

[@doztacos8913]

I am building a retro bike with modern tech. Digging all the info. Thanks.

[@PastorPeter42]

Please do a bike project inspired by this build. There's nothing like the original but it would really be inspiring!

[@Sir_Arlin]

this is the bike i think people who are so quick to jump on modern bikes need to see. what worked in the 80s still works today- those trp brake levers are FIREEEEEE

[@ElonMuckX]

Love my 86 Trek! Kept my oval chainring, shifters, rimms, & drive train original. Up graded to 105 brakes, modern handlebars, brake levers, and 28mm tires. It's a blast to ride steel!

[@shreded7]

One of my favorite vintage team bikes. Super sick

[@Joseminario]

Amazing him able to use 11 speed on friction mode. In my experience I can't get over 9 speed on friction mode. I tried 10 speed a while back and too many mistakes happen like gear jumping. Awesome bike. Great to see Alex still fit after all these years

[@CarlForde]

I rode with the same set up for a while; it works perfectly. Once I tried modern shifters though, there was no going back

[@winstoncat6785]

That was a really interesting, thorough presentation of the bike and the history. Well done Simon and Alex and thanks!

[@lordbertos8124]

Imagine having only one bike to train on and race with! I’d love to see this these days. I’d have one training bike and one race bike per team for each rider. Would definitely save on cash and also make things a lot better to watch

[@skyjockbill]

What a pleasure to make the acquaintance of Alex - knowledgeable and still in great shape.

[@mrazzo15]

What a beauty! Complete with battle scars and all

[@confederateguy]

The first original equipment was Campagnolo Super Record came with 7-11 ELEVEN/Eddy Merckx bike then Shimano Dura-Ace equipped late in 1989. I still have one that rode for US 7-11 amateur National team from 1986 to 1989.

[@ralphc1405]

Wow! I’m sure Sergeant Rock was meticulous being the DS. Were you riding Serotta frames repainted as Murray?

[@M4ttiix3]

I finished my project a few months ago, but forgot to take pictures for the srew riding... Part of the show. It is an Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra Frame, and I changed the Headset to an 1"ahead and swapped the fork to an classic style carbon fork with an aluminum steerer. Stem and Compact bars. Black anodized aluminum wheels with colour matching decals. Driven by an Sram Force 1*10 Groupset, but probably the most beautiful bike in my whole collection. And rides super smoothly, and the carbon fork reduced the spongy feeling while sprinting in the drops. You need something like this si.

[@4xfreedom]

Sweet bike! He should buy some Dura Ace 11 speed bar end shifters and take the plugs off. They would bolt to the down tube and he'd have proper indexed shifting!

[@Juan0003]

He's so Canadian I love it!

[@aneczka2114]

Nice to hear some history with him and the bike...really amazing

[@dbanbery]

AWESOME. MORE OF THIS AND RESTO MOD STUFF!!! it would be good to do a tech video on what you need to do to use modern groupset on an 80s steel frame bike! I and I’m sure numerous others can help

[@neuspur]

It feels like the market could have a new design trend: complete retro look paired with top edge mech's. Reminds me of some e-car concepts where the outer shell looks like something nice from the 60s. Maybe those guys would have come up with a full led-animated "eddy" Logo ;-)

[@julianallen515]

What a pleasure to hear Alex talk about his old team bike. I've been lucky enough to have ridden and chatted with him on a couple of occasions. A true gentleman and raconteur.

[@ianmacdonald8254]

Not only is this an amazing bike, and Alex IS a fantastic presenter (hint, hint GCN), he is hands down one of the most gracious and encouraging people to ride with (today) that I’ve ever met. So grateful to have him in our city.

[@31.8mm]

yea i need that too, a slacker seattube for my long femur, plus a beautiful retro looks for my ego

[@miguelflorit4187]

Beautiful bike!!!!!!!! Please show more retro excuse me real bikes on your channel! Thx !

[@luistrujillo5252]

Que maravilla de bicicleta mi favorita de cuando tenía 13 años y lo sigue siendo como olvidar al primer americano que portó el jersey amarillo al decir americano me refiero a todo el continente desde Alaska asta la Patagonia Alex stieda me alegra saber que todavía pedalea cómo en sus mejores días saludos campeón desde México ✌️

[@mannyvelo]

What a treat! Need more of this! Alex is the fittest looking ex rider I’ve ever seen. Most retire and still eat like they’re riding and training for grand tours!

[@JayandSarah]

Alex Steida is awesome. Speaking of the 7-11 bike, I rode with those guys when I was the age of a junior... attending a cycling camp that he ran... rode with a couple other pros.. Thomas Craven was one of them. Nice people.

[@jev2867]

I'd love to see more of the original older sponsored racing bikes and their riders. GCN, please make it happen.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Very cool

[@booklover3959]

More vintage! Love it.

[@brianfarren390]

I had this frame but had Campagnolo Delta brakes with Mavic 840 or 841 shifting set up and the Mavic 'starfish' crankset. It was a superb machine and beautiful. Then it was robbed!

[@bluefishblitz9577]

I'd still stick with a period quill stem and bar, but I love seeing any old-school bike out on the road.

[@simonr7097]

Indeed, it would look nicer with a quill stem, but much worse gathering dust in a garage.

[@rob-c.]

Simon R surely there’s a quill stem out there that fits a modern bar, or a modern bar thin enough at the clamp for a old quill stem - I would hope so

[@simonr7097]

@@rob-c. Yeah both of those things exist, but the choice seems limited.

[@glennoc8585]

@@rob-c. yes youbcan get slimmer bars to fit the older quills.

[@brianbuday8639]

bluefishblitz my 84 pin has the original quill stem. Nice look but tough on aging forearms after an hour in the saddle. Stieda is awesome 👍

[@jbratt]

Pitted headsets...back in the day we called it SIS steering 😀

[@DRMatt-zd4rh]

haha we still call it indexed headset between mechanics

[@stppearson825]

Thank you for sharing that bike. I was a big fan of the 7-Eleven team while growing up. I used to see many of the riders on that team when I used to go out on training rides because I lived not far from Boulder and so many of them lived and/or trained around there. I always admired their bicycles and wished for one like them at that time. I have never owned a road bicycle of that quality before and I still hope to get one some day.

[@bjornerikkleiven9172]

wow awesome video, history, option and preference :-) pls more

[@paulobrien4794]

I love all the videos, but something about this really pings - fantastic!

[@gcntech]

Thanks Paul, we loved making it too

[@stellarpod]

My style of bike. I was riding a Reynolds 531 Austro-Daimler when this bike was being raced. Still have that old frame up in the attic. In 1990 I switched to a Bridgestone RADAC 3100, full Dura-Ace (7-speed), which I also still have. Today, I ride a 2014 edition Cannondale CAAD 10. As always, thanks so much for sharing, especially these timeless old retro bikes. I'd like to see more. Steve

[@mkdy218]

I love the retro stuff. Great video and what a nice guy Alex is.