Eddy Merckx
Below you can see images and short notes about each model. Further down the page is some more in depth information. To jump to this information, use these links:
Frames and forks :: So What Am I Paying For? :: Materials and models :: Owners Club
For more complete information and higher quality images, please visit the Eddy Merckx Website
Below you can see images and short notes about each model. Further down the page is some more in depth information. To jump to this information, use these links:
Frames and forks :: So What Am I Paying For? :: Materials and models :: Owners Club
For more complete information and higher quality images, please visit the Eddy Merckx Website
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CXM time trial frame. This aerodynamic Carbon Monocoque frame is available in two sizes: small and large. The forks are the Aero version of the Easton EC90, one of the most aerodynamic forks on the market. Like all Eddy Merckx products, the CXM can be supplied as a complete bike built to order at Eddy Merckx, or by one of our dealers, or as a prepared frame for the consumer to build up. Tech: > Weight: size "small" 1480g > Finish multicolour CRR (shown) or CRG; colour-coded carbon forks > Supplied complete with seatpin > UK Retail price £4300.00 frame and forks, seatpin > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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AXM road frame. The Eddy Merckx AXM frame remains the top-of-the-range carbon fibre frame in the Eddy Merckx range, representing the pinnacle of the monocoque framebuilder's art. Stresses in the frame whilst being ridden are spread over the whole surface area of the frame by means of the building technique, which involves directionally placing the ultra-high modulus carbon fibre mats that make up the frame to correctly distribute load. The forks are the industry-standard EC90 from Easton. Tech: > Average weight 1200g > Finish multicolour; colour-coded forks > Supplied complete with seatpin 29.4mm > UK Retail price £2350.00 frame and forks, seatpin > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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EXM road frame. The Eddy Merckx EXM is a professional-level full monocoque, sloping geometry, carbon fibre frame. At 1170g, it is slightly lighter than the AXM, but shares the curvilinear stays that serve to take some of the "road buzz" out of the ride and the ultra-high modulus 759F carbon component in the lay-up. Forks are the well-known and trusted EC90 from Easton. Now with carbon rear dropouts. Tech: > Average weight 1170g > Finish multicolour; colour-coded forks > Supplied complete with seatpin 31.6mm > UK Retail price £2175.00 frame and forks, seatpin > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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SXM road frame. The Eddy Merckx SXM is a full monocoque, sloping geometry, carbon fibre frame. It offers the curvilinear stays that serve to take some of the "road buzz" out of the ride and a geometry which is directly comparable with the sloping alloy frames. Forks are Easton EC90. The frame is built using 3K carbon components in the lay-up. Tech: > Average weight 1370g > Finish multicolour; colour-coded forks > Supplied complete with seatpin 29.4mm > UK Retail price £1479.00 frame and forks, seatpin > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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LXM road frame. New for 2008. The Eddy Merckx LXM is a full monocoque, sloping geometry, carbon fibre frame at an extremely competitive price. The frame design is optimum for long road races or for cyclo-sportifs. Forks are by Advanced Composites, specially designed for this frame. Built using 6F carbon components in the lay-up. Tech: > Average weight 1250g > Finished in this colour, LXR, only > Supplied complete with seatpin 31.6mm > UK Retail price £925.00 frame and forks, seatpin > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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CHM road frame. 42, 46 and 50 cm frames available while stocks last. The Eddy Merckx CHM is a full monocoque, sloping geometry, carbon fibre frame, made in Europe, at an extremely competitive price. The frame design is optimum for long road races or for cyclo-sportifs. Forks are by Advanced Composites, specially designed for this frame. Built using 3F carbon components in the lay-up. Once existing stocks are exhausted, this frame will be discontinued in favour of the new LXM. Tech: > Average weight 1250g > Finished in this colour, XCR, only > Supplied complete with seatpin 29.4mm > UK Retail price £795.00 frame and forks, seatpin > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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Premium Classic road frame. Built in Easton Flare 7000-series Scandium-enriched alu tubing, this frame gives a supple ride reminiscent of steel, but with the lightness and lateral rigidity of alu. This frame is available either in the standard, tried-and-tested Eddy Merckx geometries, or as a custom build using the rider's own specified dimensions. Supplied with our lightest Easton full carbon fork. Tech: > Weight 1290g > Sizes 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm > Finish multicolour or PRR (shown here) or PRB; colour-coded forks > UK Retail price £1375.00 (off the peg) or £1635.00 (custom sizes) > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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Premium Sloping road frame. As for the Premium Classic (above), but allowing a still stiffer, lighter frame by the use of the "sloping" or compact format. Again, this frame is also available as an off the peg or a custom built item. Tech: > Weight 1240g > Sizes 42 - 54cm in 3cm increments > Finish multicolour or PRR or PRB (shown here); colour-coded carbon forks > UK Retail price £1375.00 (off the peg) or £1635.00 (custom sizes) > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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Racing Classic road frame. Built in Easton Race 7000-series alu, this frame is slightly heavier than the Premium, and suits riders with a more aggressive style. This frame can be ordered in off the peg or custom geometry. Tech: > Weight 1310g > Sizes 48, 50, 52 - 58 (1cm increments), 60, 62cm > Finish multicolour or RCR (frame shown here) or RCB; plain carbon forks (colour coding of forks available at extra cost) > UK Retail price £860.00 (off the peg), £1080.00 (custom built) > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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Racing Sloping road frame. An extremely rigid frame because of the sloping or compact geometry, the design also allows weight saving and sharper handling. Like the Racing Classic (above), this frame is available in off the peg or custom geometry. Tech: > Weight 1250g > Sizes 42 - 54cm in 3cm increments > Finish multicolour or RCR or RCB (frame shown here); plain carbon forks (colour coding of forks available at extra cost) > UK Retail price £860.00 (off the peg), £1080.00 (custom built) > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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Gara Classic road frame. Built with classic Eddy Merckx geometry, this entry-level frame is built from the renowned Dedaccai Fire tubing to give strength, durability and light weight, a smooth ride and accurate, fast handling. Comes with Easton EC70 forks. Tech: > Weight 1540g > Sizes 50 - 62cm in 2cm increments > Finish GAW (frame shown here) or GAB; plain carbon forks (colour-coded forks available at extra cost) > UK Retail price £585.00 > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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Gara Sloping road frame. As for the Gara Classic (above), but built with the now commonplace sloping or compact geometry that makes for a still stiffer and lighter frame. Comes with Easton EC70 forks. Tech: > Weight 1420g > Sizes 41 - 53cm in 3cm increments > Finish GAW or GAB (frame shown here); plain carbon forks (colour-coded forks available at extra cost) > UK Retail price £585.00 > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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Track frame. Built to take the stresses and strains of track racing, often so much more testing than road events, the Dedaccai Fire-tubed track frame is supplied with a track-specific fork to withstand the high lateral loads that banked velodromes can place on a fork. The high bottom bracket allows this frame to be used on steeply banked tracks like Manchester, Newport and Calshot. Tech: > Weight 1420g > Sizes 41 - 50cm in 3cm increments > Finish PIR (frame shown here); plain carbon forks (colour-coded forks available at extra cost) > UK Retail price £625.00 > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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Cyclo-cross frame. Easton Aluminium supply a special custom butted tube set for the cyclo-cross frame. The frame is supplied with a supple carbon fork to smooth out the often difficult surfaces encountered in cyclo-cross events. The frame is light to allow shouldering, without sacrificing the strength needed in a bike for off-road competition. Tech: > Weight 1560g > Sizes 50 - 60cm in 2cm increments > Finish CRZ (frame shown here); plain carbon forks (colour-coded forks available at extra cost) > UK Retail price £600.00 > Other technical notes are here > Geometry:
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Frame design and tubing - a model-by-model breakdown
Regardless of which Eddy Merckx frame you buy, the quality and craftsmanship stay the same, only the materials and frame characteristics change. These notes are designed to help you make an informed choice. The first thing to say is that Merckx make aluminium frames and they make carbon frames - they don't currently produce any hybrid frames as, in Eddy's view, these represent a compromise which isn't really justified. Merckx have made an alu/carbon hybrid frame in the past and so have experience of it, but have reverted to "one material" frames. So, to split the ranges: Aluminium One often hears that aluminium, or more accurately, aluminium alloy, frames give a harsh, unforgiving ride. This is not really true: it never has been. What is true is that some joining techniques, coupled with some tubing shapes and technologies produce a frame that isn't very vertically compliant. This is how we get the apparent contradiction that the very first "alu" frames to come from Alan and later Vitus, made from bonded, old-school "standard" tube sizes were said to be "soft" and "whippy", and later oversize welded items from companies such as Shogun earned the reputation of being harsh. The basic problem is that few aluminium alloys are actually well suited to welding - the two series that can be welded comparatively easily, 6000 and 7000 series, are actually fairly low-strength materials - so the solution has been to increase tube diameters, to confer the extra tube stiffness needed. This often causes the lack of vertical compliance that is defined as "harshness" by riders. By careful selection of the alloys and of the design of the tubes' overall shape, coupled with careful use of butting techniques inside the tube, companies such as Deda and Easton, who supply all of the tubes used in Merckx aluminium frames, have eliminated many of the problems associated with oversize aluminium frames, whilst controlling the mechanical characteristic of aluminium alloy tubes to flex more than their, say, steel counterparts, to produce a more compliant-riding frame. >The frames ... >>Gara The entry to the Merckx alu range is the Gara, available in classic or sloping geometry. It is built from the well known and respected Deda Fire tubing set, a 7003-T6 aluminium alloy tube. The frame is supplied with an Easton EC70 fork, with an alu column. The basic frame weight is 1540g (Classic) or 1420g (Sloping), and compliance of ride is achieved with "hourglass" shaped, tapered seat stays. Geometry is the same as all other Eddy Merckx alu road models, comparatively long in the top tube and relaxed in the seat angle for longer events where comfort is important. This frame in 2008 can be ordered in several finishes, which are interchangeable with those offered on models Cross, Track and Racing. Finishes from 2007 and before can be ordered as "single colour" with a supplement payable on any other colour choice, and for a painted fork. Click here to return to Gara images and short notes >>Track A track version of the Gara, supplied off the peg (any of the other Merckx alu frames can be supplied as a track frame at extra cost as a custom build), built in the same tubing, in sloping geometry only, supplied with a track-specific carbon fork from Amadeus - frame and fork are designed to withstand the increased lateral loadings that a track frame must accommodate. This frame in 2008 can be ordered in several finishes, which are interchangeable with those offered on models Cross, Gara and Racing. Finishes from 2007 and before can be ordered as "single colour" with a supplement payable on any other colour choice, and for a painted fork. Click here to return to Track images and short notes >>Cross The Cross is an entry-level frame designed with a specific purpose. As its name suggests, the Cross is designed with the longer wheelbase and wider clearances that befit a cyclo-cross mount. Built from Easton Custom-drawn alloy, the frame is supplied with an Amadeus carbon cyclo-cross specific fork, with mounts for cantilever bosses. The Cross uses a heavier tube set than the Gara, and this is reflected in a higher overall frame weight of 1560g, the extra weight allowing the Cross to absorb the punishment of the cyclo-cross discipline. This frame in 2008 can be ordered in several finishes, which are interchangeable with those offered on models Gara, Track and Racing. Finishes from 2007 and before can be ordered as "single colour" with a supplement payable on any other colour choice, and for a painted fork. Click here to return to Cross images and short notes >>Racing The Racing is built from Easton Race 7000 series aluminium alloy tubing. These tubes are double butted for lightness, and the tapered wall design helps to absorb vibration. The relaxed overall geometry of the frame also contributes to a supple ride. Frame weight is 1310g for the Classic geometry and 1250g for the Sloping. Standard fork with the frame is the Easton EC70 with an alloy column. This frame in 2008 can be ordered in several finishes, which are interchangeable with those offered on models Cross, Track and Gara. Finishes from 2007 and before can be ordered as "multicolour", with a supplement payable for a painted fork. Click here to return to Racing images and short notes >>Premium Built from Easton Scandium SC7000 Flare tubing, the 7000 series aluminium alloy of this frame is enriched with minute quantities of scandium. This rare-earth metal is incredibly expensive (£1000.00 per gram) but only very, very small quantities are required to confer the advantages that scandium-doped tubes provide - the scandium allows the tube to recover better from welding, but does not of itself confer any extra strength - this is a common misconception. What the scandium does is reduce the grain size and refine the grain structure in the tube. This, combined with Easton's cold working Taperwall Technology (which serves a similar purpose), the fact that scandium minimises re-crystallisation of the alloy post welding AND the fact that Easton used an exceptionally high strength variation of 7000 series aluminium alloy allows the fabrication of a frame with closer-to-standard diameter tubes, that is very, very compliant in the right directions. The flared ends of the tubes provide a bigger weld area, so allowing a directionally stiff frame, whilst the sweeping, curvilinear seat stays absorb "road buzz" extremely efficiently. The Premium is everything a road frame should be: light - 1290g in the classic geometry, 1240g in the sloping - sharp-handling (the down tube is extremely rigid), responsive and comfortable, with no restrictions on rider weight. Paint finishes for 2008 are PRR and PRB, and these finishes are not interchangeable with any other frame. Finishes from 2007 and before can be ordered with "multicolour" as standard, including a painted EC90 fork with carbon column (alloy column on sizes over 60cm) - this is the "general use" frame supplied to the professional teams that Eddy Merckx supports. The frame is supplied a newly designed carbon monocoque seatpost. Click here to return to Premium images and short notes Carbon If aluminium alloys are widely misunderstood, then that is at least equally true of carbon fibre, so here are some basics: There are very few manufacturers of carbon fibre itself, worldwide, as the plant and energy costs of manufacture are astronomical. The fibres are made, refined and then, in the case of most bicycle applications, bound into "pre-preg" mats, i.e. the fibres are held in a matrix of a bonding material. It is actually the combination of the carbon fibre and the matrix that gives the mat its properties, in much the same way as steel-reinforced concrete requires both the steel and the concrete to perform the way they do. What we are dealing with therefore is actually a carbon fibre and matrix composite material, not "pure" carbon fibre. There are several thousand variations on carbon fibre composites and carbon fibre composite mat, representing a huge spectrum of strength and lightness, fibre density and matrix composition. Cycle manufacture in general uses about 15 of these. You will often see statements such as "Formula 1 quality", "Aerospace quality" etc. attached to carbon fibre technology - these are meaningless as the places that carbon fibre is used in either of these two applications may not necessarily be structural, and it's structural fibres we are interested in. "Airframe quality" does, however, have a meaning, as here the fibres are structural. The key considerations are the relative densities of carbon fibres to matrix and allied to that, the gauge of the carbon fibres themselves - so-called High Modulus carbon composites have a high percentage of carbon to matrix and use very fine carbon fibres, resulting in a strong, light material. As a general rule, the coarser fibres in lower-modulus mats are less heavily processed than their finer variants. The fibre can be likened, after manufacture, to the trunk of a Redwood tree - there is a hard core with a loose, rough, soft outer layer. Low modulus mats will often use fibre in this state, whereas high quality, high and ultra-high modulus mats use only the solid core, with the loose, rough material stripped away by processing. The strength is not unidirectional, however - in fact carbon fibres themselves are strong only in tension, and it is the matrix that allows other types of load (compression, shear and flexure) to be accommodated. When bicycle frames are made in a carbon composite, therefore, three approaches can be used: The first approach is to weave tubes with fibres running in all directions, to give all-round resistance to force, and bond such tubes to a separate joining piece, or lug - this is how the earliest carbon fibre bikes were typically built. This technique is now comparatively cheap but does not result in the best use of the material. The second method is to "lay up" successive layers of mat in very specific directions in a very specific sequence, to produce exactly the required strength characteristics needed at that point in the frame, and then to join these components either by bonding into lugs, or by over-wrapping the joint areas with a specific combination of mat and direction, inserting the whole into a mould under heat and pressure. The third method is to lay the fibres up as above, but in a single mould which gives the external shape to the whole structure, but with no joins anywhere in that single structure. The only "added on" parts in this type of construction are usually things like the dropouts. This is what is generally meant by a "full monocoque". By adopting this method, delamination, creaking and movement between bonded parts are eliminated. All Eddy Merckx frames are made the third way, producing frames that are to all intents and purposes single-piece structures. Such structures distribute loads evenly over their surface and are very resilient, strong, and, as there is very little redundant material in the structure, they can also be very light. In this type of construction, computer-controlled machinery checks and then cuts to size the numerous layers of material used in each frame. This ensures consistency across the production. The frames are then laid up by hand according to a lay-up schedule which again needs a very high degree of accuracy. After this lamination phase, the frame enters the autoclave where all the air between the layers is eliminated by a combination of heat and pressure, creating a unified structure. This phase is critical, as any void in the frame could compromise the integrity of the frame. Post autoclaving, the frame is treated with epoxy resins in preparation for the final, special, finish which will protect the frame from potentially damaging UV rays, as well as enhance the appearance. A last comment should be reserved for the "weave" pattern that is often seen on carbon frames and forks. This is an additional layer and is partly cosmetic, also adding a little to the impact and abrasion resistance of the frame. Underneath it, you will find the complex lay-up of unidirectional and woven layers that give the "right" characteristics for any given area of the frame. Sometimes this top layer will actually not be carbon fibre composite at all, but one with glass in a matrix - this is the "white" carbon fibre, which adds little by way of mechanical properties, and a weight penalty. >The frames ... >>CHM The CHM, whilst it will be discontinued during 2008, is an excellent introduction to carbon fibre frames, and many of the lessons learnt in the design and construction of the CHM have been applied to the LXM. The geometry of the frame is "very compact" allowing light weight and high rigidity whilst using slightly less expensive materials. The frame is supplied with its own fork designed specifically for this frame, and is available only in one colour, XCR, with no colour options - this is in order to control the price and to ensure a high availability of this frame from stock. The frame is also supplied with a carbon fibre seatpost. Click here to return to CHM images and short notes >>LXM In some ways the LXM is the most exciting frame in the 2008 Eddy Merckx range, offering an aggressive retail price for a monocoque carbon frame that is built to quality control standards set and closely monitored by Eddy Merckx. The geometry of the frame is "compact" in common with all other Merckx carbon frames, allowing light weight and high rigidity. UDM 6F carbon fibre forms the basis of the frame materials so allowing a lower price point with minimal compromise in performance when compared with the SXM. The frame is supplied with its own fork designed specifically for this frame, and is available only in one colour, LXR, with no colour options - this is in order to control the price and to ensure a high availability of this frame from stock. The frame is also supplied with a carbon fibre seatpost. Click here to return to LXM images and short notes >>SXM The SXM uses a monocoque construction, curvilinear stays and compact geometry to bring all of the qualities of a professional-level frame to the mid-price point. The geometry of the frame is designed for long road races, and is similar in many respects of the alloy sloping frames. The frame is supplied with an Easton EC70 fork. 2008 colours offered are SXR and SXB only. Colour coding of the forks is extra. "Multicolour" finishes from 2007 and before can also be specified, and again, painting of the forks to match is a supplementary cost. The frame is also supplied with a carbon fibre seatpost. Click here to return to SXM images and short notes >>EXM The EXM offers sloping geometry and a monocoque construction for a laterally and torsionally rigid frame, and the 100-plus layers of carbon and Kevlar composites used in the hand-made lay-up of the frame give it an exceptional ride quality. The frame uses Tenax T700, UTS, T300 carbon and K210 Kevlar mats in its construction. The geometry of the frame is designed for long road races, and echoes the geometry of the alloy frames. The frame is supplied with an Easton EC90 fork. 2008 colours offered are EXB and EXR only. Colour coding of the forks is included in the price. Finishes from 2007 and before can be ordered. The frame is also supplied with a carbon fibre seatpost. Click here to return to EXM images and short notes >>AXM The AXM uses every scrap of knowledge that Merckx have gained over the years in frame design and technology - the curveilinear seat stays and top tube distribute vertical forces away from the rider, the monocoque construction makes for a laterally and torsionally rigid frame, and the 100-plus layers of carbon and Kevlar composites used in the hand-made lay up of the frame give it an exceptional ride quality. The geometry of the frame is designed for long road races, and like the 3XM echoes the geometry of the alloy frames. The frame is supplied with an Easton EC90 fork. 2008 colours offered are AXG and AXR only. Colour coding of the forks is included in the price. Finishes from 2007 and before can be ordered. The frame is also supplied with a carbon fibre seatpost. Click here to return to AXM images and short notes >>CXM The CXM shares the use of Tenax T700, UTS, T300 carbon fibres and K210 Kevlar fibres with the AXM and EXM. Again, these fibres are used in various types according to the positioning in the frame. The geometry of the frame is designed for time trials: the slightly steeper seat angles than are found in road frames of similar size, allied to the shorter top tubes, allow for a powerful, fully aerodynamic position to be attained. The frame is supplied with an Easton EC90 aero fork. 2008 colours offered are CRG and CRR only. Colour coding of the forks is included in the price. Finishes from 2007 and before can be ordered. The frame is also supplied with a carbon fibre seatpost. The frame can be ordered in road or track specification. Click here to return to CXM images and short notes |