Part Two of the Eddy Merckx - Frezoni Custom Bicycles 2012 Faema Evolution from the Joe Cosgrove CYCLE DESIGN workshop. When Joe Cosgrove set out to create his replica of a 1968 Faema - Masi built team bike, he wasn't done with just building the replica, Joe built an updated 2012 version with references to the original red and white paint scheme. For Joe there has only ever been ONE manufacturer of bicycle components, Campagnolo. A forgone conclusion, the new bike is equipped with 2012 Campagnolo Super Record EPS. Using Campagnolo is also in keeping with the original Campagnolo equipped Faema.

While restoring customers bikes, Joe will de-chrome then re-chrome using an involved plating process including polishing. The steps for triple chrome plating include preparation of the parent metal which is polished to perfection, then copper plating, next polish the copper plating, followed by nickel plating, then chromium plating which is subsequently polished. For the 2012 Frezoni-Faema these involved restoration processes could be side stepped, polished stainless steel was used instead of the more traditional multi-step triple chrome plating method. A benefit of the modern 953 Reynolds product.

Polishes stainless steel on the Frezoni Faema 2013 evo bike

The polished lugs give a nod to tradition, along with the riveted look to the Selle San Marco Regal Evolution saddle and the Brooks bar tape. Joe also used a pre world war two concept which involved press-fitting a dowel into the front fork, as a form of vibration damping and presumably to keep grit out of the steerer tube.

Joe's Frezoni - Cycle Design logo, was pantographed in house, into the fork crown. In keeping with the paint scheme of the original 1968 Faema, Joe took the red and white colours and then made his own version, right down to the red painted "winged feathers" in the top tube. The paint finish also included the Cycle Design logo on the seat tube, with a unique interpretation of the Merckx Faema paint - now with a checkered dissolve from red to white.

Designed, constructed, pantographed, polished, and painted by Joe, not only has he successfully interpreted the 1968 theme in new 2012 guise, he's skillfully blended traditional steel frame building concepts with modern components. The best bit, the bike looks the part and its' also a dream to ride. Joe reckons it corners effortlessly like it's on rails. I took it for a spin and ran it through a few corners, actually it steers like "silk" it is so smooth and predictable. Not only is Joe a brilliant designer, constructor and painter, he's had decades of experience studying up on geometry, bike fit and how this translates to a bike that handles like a dream.

In 2015 Joe's Faema Evo bike was flattened into a pancake by a careless driver. Joe survived and his frustrations are obvious in the article, Death Of A Bicycle

All images by Robert Cobcroft

The Frezoni Faema replica and the modern Frezoni Faema Evo in the back

FRAME Reynolds 953 Stainless Steel OS tubing. Cut Down Llewellyn investment cast P3 lugs - extra over sized - polished stainless steel. Bottom bracket, special detailing to fit EPS cabling, see image. FORK Reynolds 953, with pre -WW2 styled press-fit dowel for damping. HEADSET Campagnolo Super Record 2012 threadless headset 1" and 1/8th head setup - relates to extra over sized lug set. STEM TTT ARX aluminium HANDLEBARS carbon version of ergo nova TTT 42's BAR TAPE Brooks Leather FRONT BRAKE Campagnolo Super Record 2012 REAR BRAKE Campagnolo Super Record 2012 BRAKE LEVERS Campagnolo Super Record 2012 FRONT DERAILLEUR Campagnolo EPS Super Record REAR DERAILLEUR Campagnolo EPS 11 speed Super Record electronic SHIFT LEVERS Campagnolo Super Record 2012 CASSETTE Campagnolo Super Record 2012 12-25 CHAIN Campagnolo CRANKSET Campagnolo Super Record Carbon 2012 CHAINRINGS 53/39 Campagnolo Super Record 2012 BOTTOM BRACKET Campagnolo integrated titanium axle and ceramic bearings, PEDALS Campagnolo with Titanium Axles FRONT WHEEL Campagnolo Neutron REAR WHEEL Campagnolo Neutron FRONT TIRE Continental GP Force, 700x22c REAR TIRE Continental GP Force, 700x25c INNER TUBES Michelin latex SADDLE Selle San Marco Regal Evolution SEATPOST Fizik 30.0 Carbon to suit over sized Reynolds Tube. SEAT BINDER Campagnolo