OK, I'll admit it - it's not as vintage as it could be, being merely a 1991 frame but I started my racing career on a frame very similar to this one (with gears...) so it has a particular significance for me. About all I can remember about that frame of mine though, aside from the lovely paintwork and engraved lugs, was the buttery smooth ride of Columbus SLX steel tubes. Not light but for the magic carpet experience it was unbeatable....

In December 2005 a tatty but sound Merckx Corsa Extra SLX appeared on eBay... This was back before bid prices went silly for anything remotely interesting or with the word "Campagnolo" in the title so I acquired the frame and fork for a very few £££ really considering the pedigree of the frame. Originally I'd thought about doing a project to build up a restored full-geared road bike to relive my early days racing but having been seriously afflicted with the 'fixxing' bug I decided to rebuild it as a classy, minimalist fixed gear machine... similar I suppose to the way VW fans "Cal-Look" their bugs and buses.

The braze-ons and gear hangar were removed before shipping the frame off to Mercian Cycles for a refinish in midnight blue on which they did a lovely job. That took a few months (they're busy!) so in the meantime I had the fun of laying my hands on some suitably nice components to hang from it... Campagnolo of course...! My original bike had a full Chorus 8spd groupset, and it's that same group that the cranks and brake caliper here are from. It took me a while to track some down in as-new condition for sensible money (there's some profit here should I sell the bike...). The crank came from Ireland and the caliper (as part of a pair) from Germany. The bars and stem are vintage (new old stock) 3TTT, again a lucky find for just a few ££.

I'd always wanted an excuse to own a set of bling bling Phil Wood hubs... this bike was it. Will at Hubjub sorted me out with a pair and Paul Hewitt built them into a bombproof pair of Ambrosio Excellence rims.

That was pretty much it aside from an ITM post and Selle Italia saddle that were already lurking in my spare parts box.

First ride was during the tail end of October 2006 before winter arrived properly. So... what was it like? Magic, just cruising along on my magic carpet revelling in the pure, shiny retro-ness of the whole experience. The bike turns heads too and not just cyclists. I found this out when I parked it outside the bakery on my way home on the first ride, on emerging with my baguettes there was quite the little group of admirers clustered round. Good fun, roll on spring!

Here's the photos.....

...note that a couple of them show the brake lever replaced with a discreet Goldfinger and a new Storika saddle... I stuck those on just recently, it looks even nicer now!

05 April update... check out my new Nitto Type-R bottle cage, photo below - isn't it nice!

• Frame: Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra SLX, 55cm
• Fork: Merckx, SLX
• Wheels: Phil Wood High Flange Hubs/Ambrosio Excellence rims
• Tyres: Deda Tre Corsa
• Cranks: Campagnolo Chorus (1992)
• Ring: Stronglight, 48T
• Chain: KMC
• BB: Campagnolo Chorus
• Sprocket: On-One, 18T
• Pedals: Shimano 959
• Brake Caliper: Campagnolo Chorus Monoplanar '92
• Lever: Goldfinger
• Cable: NoxSnake
• Stem: 3TTT Record 84
• Bars: 3TTT Olympic
• Seatpost: ITM
• Saddle: Selle Italia Storika