Eddy Merckx 525 Disc Road Frameset reviews and deals for sale

Eddy Merckx was the greatest cyclist of his generation, and arguably the most successful cyclist of all time with an astonishing 525 career wins under his belt. This includes 11 Grand Tour victories, a win at each of the five Monuments, and being the first rider to achieve cycling's Triple Crown. With such an impressive record, one might assume that only the fastest machines deserve to bear his name, and with that you'd be right. Designed to excel at the highest levels of racing, the Eddy Merckx 525 Disc Road Frameset is a lightweight, all-around race bike with impressive aerodynamic performance and razor-sharp handling. It's sleeker, more aerodynamic, stiffer, and more cleanly integrated than the previous EM525 frame, but at the same time makes no sacrifices to ride quality or comfort. And considering that AG2R team rider Romain Bardet won the King of the Mountains classification on this bike during the 2019 Tour de France, it's clear that this bike is an adept climber, too, dispelling the notion that an aero race bike can't also be your ideal climbing bike.

The 525 Disc Frameset is constructed from unidirectional high-modulus carbon fiber with a carefully planned out layup that bolsters stiffness in the bottom bracket and head tube junctions for efficient power transfer and precise handling. The front end stiffness is increased over the previous 525, yet the rear end is more compliant for a smooth ride over rough roads. The flattened and kinked seatstays may look a little strange to some, but they do serve a purpose, acting as a type of leaf spring to take the harshness out of battered chip-seal roads and unexpected potholes. The stays also join the seat tube lower down than the previous 525 to further improve compliance while increasing the aerodynamic gains.

We live in a time when aerodynamics play a key role both one-day and stage racing. Modern race bikes aren't just expected to be lightweight and stiff, they must also be aerodynamically optimized in order to gain every possible advantage over your opponents. The 525 Disc Frameset was extensively tested in the wind tunnel to maximize aerodynamics while still keeping the overall frame weight low. The frontal area is reduced over the previous 525 for a more streamlined approach, and the fork crown transitions smoothly into the down tube to further cut down on drag. The frame includes an integrated bar and stem combo with fully internal cable routing, with the housing entering into the handlebar and passing directly into the frame for a clean cockpit with minimal drag. Other aero-optimized features include an integrated headset top cap for a smooth transition into the stem spacers, F-surface aero grooves on the seatpost, an aerodynamic gasket that covers the hidden seatpost clamp, and a seat tube shape that improves airflow around the rear tire.