Merckx

EMX-1/Shimano 105 Complete Road Bike - 2012

It's safe to say that Mr. Merckx, also known as "The Cannibal" due to the way he continually devoured his opponents, isn't to be taken lightly. Over the course of his storied cycling career, he amassed 525 victories, 54 of which were claimed in a single season. And so, as with every bicycle that wears the Eddy Merckx signature, the EMX-1/Shimano 105 Complete Road Bike - 2012 was built on a competition-consuming, race-oriented platform that blends low weight, stiffness, and speed into a complete package.

Starting with the frame itself, Merckx's EMX-1 was constructed using a full Carbon Laminate + layup. Essentially, this technique involves layering the carbon fiber sheets together in ways that maximize the strength and rigidity of the frame. This layup is combined with Merckx's structural reinforcement technology, which places high modular (24HM) stiffness fibers in strategic areas for added stiffness. These fibers are used in conjunction with high-strength fibers at force-load-heavy zones, such as the bottom bracket and head tube junctions. By using these techniques together, Merckx engineers were able to add material where it's needed for increased rigidity, while removing material at less flex-prone areas to keep the overall weight as low as possible. This is the same technique used for all of Merckx's top-end carbon road frames, as it yields the ideal combination of stiffness, low weight, and vertical compliance.

With a slightly relaxed geometry, the EMX-1 provides a comfortable ride, yet it still possesses the race-tuned characteristics necessary for competitive road racing. Aside from the frame's optimized layup schedule, the fork has also been designed to deliver maximum stability and speed. The blades flare to a wide shape toward the 1-1/4 to 1-1/8in steerer, which works to both cut aerodynamic drag and to provide precise handling up front. Similarly, at the rear end of the frame, both the seatstays and chainstays were designed with handling and power transfer in mind. Their slender shapes provide the ideal blend of comfort and transmission of power directly to the rear wheel.

For the build of the EMX-1, Merckx complemented its BB86 bottom bracket with a full Shimano 105 10-speed group set. The machine includes Shimano's 105 compact 50/34t crankset and an 11-25t cassette. At the cockpit, the build features a FSA Wing Compact handlebar and FSA Team Issue stem, with a Prologo Kappa STN saddle perched atop the FSA Team Issue seatpost. In terms of wheels, the EMX-1 rolls on a pair of Fulcrum Racing 7 clinchers.

The Merckx EMX-1/Shimano 105 Complete Road Bike - 2012 is available in sizes 42, 45, 48, and 51cm and in the colors Black/red and White/red.