Eddy Merckx Cycles have unveiled two of four new models set to be introduced as part of the Belgian brand’s model year 2015 range.
The Mourenx69 and SanRemo76 are both named after two of the company founder’s victories and join the flagship EMX-525 in the range, which itself pays tribute to the total number of wins Merckx accumulated in his career.
The Mourenx69 is Merckx’s long-distance (sportive/endurance – call it what you will) bike and the clue is in the name. Eddy Merckx won his first Tour de France in 1969 and, having already won four stages, claimed a fifth victory on stage 17 with an audacious attack on the Col du Tourmalet, before building his advantage on the Col d’Aubisque and finishing in Mourenx some eight minutes ahead of his nearest rival.
As a result, Eddy Merckx Cycles describe the Mourenx as a machine for ‘endurance racing’. The elongated seatstays are designed to improve the frame’s comfort, while the geometry is more relaxed than that of the thoroughbred EMX-525, with a slightly taller headtube and shorted toptube to make for a more upright riding position. That said, the geometry is far from sit-up-and-beg, with a medium model having a 550mm toptube, 160mm headtube and 990mm wheelbase, which fits Merckx’s ‘endurance racing’ description.
Otherwise, the frame has internal cable routing, is compatible with electronic and mechanical groupsets, and has a 1-1/8″ to 1-1/2″ tapered headtube which accommodates a full carbon fibre fork.
The Mourenx69 will be available in the UK in two models, with Shimano 105 and Fulcrum Racing Sport wheels for £2,249 and with Shimano Ultegra and Fulcrum Racing 5 hoops for £2,699. The frameset will cost £1,799.
On to the SanRemo76 and the second of Eddy Merckx Cycles’ four new machines to be unveiled today is named – you guessed it – after The Cannibal’s victory in the 1976 edition of Milan-San Remo.
Merckx was dominant in Milan-San Remo during his career – just like he was in almost every other race – and won La Primavera seven times, with his final triumph coming in 1976. Merckx launched a succession of attacks on the Poggio and only Jean-Luc Vandenbroucke was able to follow him, with Merckx coming round his rival to seal his final victory in the race.
That’s the story, but what of the bike? The SanRemo76 is a racer machine than the Mourenx69 and that’s characterised by the geometry, with a longer toptube and shorter headtube to put the rider in a more aggressive, aerodynamic position. The compact seat and chainstays are designed to ensure the handling is quick and responsive, while the oversized bottom bracket is there to provide a stiff pedaling platform. To take a quick look at the geometry, a small SanRemo76 has a 560mm toptube, 137mm headtube and 990m wheelbase.
The SanRemo76 will come in the UK in three bike builds, with Shimano 105 and Fulcrum Racing Sport wheels for £2,249, with Shimano Ultegra and Fulcrum Racing 5 hoops for £2,699 and with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels for £3,349. It will also come as a frameset for £1,799.
Website: Eddy Merckx Cycles
UK distributor: 2Pure
