Eddy Merckx EMX-5


Images | Frameset Features | Geometry | Finish Options | Build and Pricing

Bikes with individuals' names on the downtube come in two basic flavors: The names of those who actually build the bikes, or at one point in their career built the bikes (Pinarello, Pegoretti, Richard Sachs, Parlee, Serotta... this goes on and on) and those who lend their celebrity name to a bike brand. Lemond did it, Museeuw and Fondriest did it and even Mario Cippolini has jumped on this trend. In the case of these once-storied professionals it's usually a matter of cashing in on a successful racing career by lending their name to a bicycle brand - the implication being that these bikes earn your coveted endorsement, sometimes for good and sometimes for ill. It can be said, with some degree of certainty that these pro riders' involvement with their bicycle companies varies widely. It can also be said that this trend started, or was at least brought to its most successful realization by Eddy Merckx.

The man who won more races than any other during his career, and who was so finicky about his equipment and bike setup that he never raced without an allen wrench in his pocket so as to make easy on-the-bike adjustments - this man, Eddy Merckx, retired from bicycle racing in 1978 and founded his own bicycle company shortly thereafter. He has been intimately involved with the process of designing and producing legendary bicycles ever since. Seldom flashy or full of features that didn't directly affect the performance of the bike, someone's use of an Eddy Merckx bicycle has long been a sign that he or she was more concerned with riding hard on a bike with predictable, stable handling and well-proportioned geometry than with following trends or looking fashionable. Merckx bikes like the MX Leader and the Team SC became legendary in their own time, lauded for their no nonsense performance and fine ride quality.

The current crop of Merckx bikes draw heavily from their predecessors and on Eddy's particular philosophy regarding geometry and handling. The EMX-5 is the current generation Eddy Merckx race bike, designed to be used by top echelon racers, made from advanced composites and fabricated in the same facility as the latest and greatest bikes from Pinarello. It's a race-ready, top-of-the-line machine in Eddy's lineup, second only to, but no less capable than, the EMX-7.

Merckx has eschewed the popular trend followed by some manufacturers of offering a an aero bike and a light bike - two separate options, each with its own set of strengths and limitations. Merckx has, by comparison, focused all their efforts on producing one bike with the best combination of light weight, aerodynamics and stiffness. The EMX-5 is designed to balance all the real-world factors a racer or serious rider would want. Oversized stays and tubes from 50 ton carbon make for a drivetrain and front end that resist deflection under load. The use of the semi-integrated BB86 bottom bracket unit is a simple way of boosting stiffness without causing mechanical complications. The tapered full carbon fork has small-diameter lowers for compliance and deep-section uppers, which improve airflow over the front part of the bike. Seat stays also feature an aerodynamic cross-section, again improving the flow of air across the trailing edge of the bicycle. Internal cable routing tucks cables and housings out of the way of dirt, debris and wind. Nothing is overdone for the sake of appearances - each feature is thoughtfully and subtly designed to improve performance, the ride experience and the longevity of the machine.

We love the EMX-5 not only for its ride, which is smooth, energetic and remarkably confident at high speeds, but also for how simply and without drama it accomplishes the task at hand. Another thing we've come to appreciate is the geometry and the fit characteristics. As with any geometry, Eddy's race bike geometry might not be suitable for everyone, but we have found it offers a good range of setup options for most serious cyclists. While many companies have adopted taller head tubes and higher front ends across their lineup to handle a wide array of cycling enthusiasts of various fitness and flexibility levels, Eddy has kept the geometry of the EMX-5 in line with traditional, time-tested European race bike norms. The EMX-5 comes in 6 sizes, each with well-balanced measurements that should prove neither too tall nor too short for most.

The EMX-5 is available in 3 color options and comes as a frameset or with a variety of kit options listed below. Please note that while we try to keep tabs on the availability of all EMX-5 size and color options, some configurations may not be available all the time. The EMX-5 comes with a tapered 1.5" to 1.125" carbon fork and an FSA integrated headset. It uses a 31.6mm standard seatpost. The BB86 bottom bracket is readily compatible with all Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM drivetrain systems and is easily serviceable and replaceable.


EMX-5 FRAMESET FEATURES

  • - High Modulus 50ton Carbon material
  • - Handmade in Italy
  • - 1K reinforced carbon weave outer layer
  • - Internal cable routing
  • - BB86, oversized, integrated bottom bracket shell
  • - Aerodynamic seat stays for optimal airflow
  • - Oversized S-bend chain stays
  • - 1 1/2" to 1 1/8" tapered full carbon, aero bladed fork
  • - Full carbon fiber dropouts
  • - Limited Lifetime Warranty


EDDY MERCKX EMX-5 GEOMETRY



FINISH OPTIONS

Each EMX-5 framesets are available in the color options listed below:


PURCHASE AND PRICING

Each EMX-5 is available for purchase as a frameset or as a complete bicycle. We offer a variety of pre-selected build-kit options designed to provide the best combination of performance and value. We are also happy to build you a completely custom bike with your choice of components.

EMX-5 Frameset - $3799

EMX-5 Complete Bicycle packagesrange from $5,399 to $11,999. See below for complete build specifications. Custom builds are also available upon request.

Please CONTACT US if you would like to discuss the details of any of our products or if you would like to place an order off-line.

EMX-5 in Red / White Scheme

Size
Select Build Option:

EMX-5 in White / Black Scheme

Frame Size:
Build Option:

EMX-5 in Quickstep Livery

Frame Size:
Build Option:


Note: Please provide us with your desired stem length, bar width and bottom bracket center to saddle-top measurement in the "Comments" section when you are checking out. (Example - 120mm stem, 42cm bar, 75cm saddle height.)

EMX-5 complete bicycle specifications:

 

© Copyright 2013 - Embrocation Cycling, INC