Description Tubing: EM-SP Throughout his illustrious racing career Eddy Merckx was meticulous in the detail of his bicycles, taking the utmost pride in the fit and finish of all his equipment. As a manufacturer h...
Bike Setup: Record 10, Record Seatpost, ITM The Stem, EC90 Carbon bars, Campagnolo Neutron, Time Ti Mag, Contintental GP Supersonic, Terry Fly saddle.
Summary: If your looking for a road bike that is light, smooth, and able to be ridden all day, this is it. Only complaint is during sprint or climbs, the rear end feels dead. However, if I were doing a century, this would be the bike of choice.
Strengths: Very Smooth, complete bike weighs 16.25 lbs. Paint finish is excellent. Very little frame flex at the bottom bracket, probably one of the stiffest I've seen.
Weaknesses: Not very snappy on the climbs- compared to my Team SC.
Similar Products Used: Eddy Merckx TEAM SC, Colnago C-40 Gold, Klein Quantum Race, Eddy Merckx Century
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Bike Setup: Campagnolo Chorus 10 spd, Campagnolo Proton wheels (very nice for the price), 3T Forgie Stem, Deda 250 Bars, Look PP396 Pedals, Selle Italia Flite Ti Gel Saddle, American Classic Seatpost
Summary: This is a great bike and provides the benefits of some of the more expensive frames (like the Pinarello Prince), but at a lower price. With the carbon fork and seat stay, combined with the aluminum tubing, this bike absorbs road shock without giving up any of the feel for the road. The bike is responsive and transfers all of your power to the road.
After spending the past decade plus on an all aluminum frame, it was time for a new bike. I wanted something that would take some of the shock out of the ride provided by an all aluminum frame. The Trek 5200, Pinarello Prince and the Pinarello Opera were all on my list of bikes I was interested in. They are all great bikes, but I’ve always wanted a Merckx due to the frame geometry. I started to drool immediately upon seeing the Fuga at my local bike shop. Not only did I get the carbon/aluminum combination that I really wanted, but also I got it for a price considerably less than the Pinarello frames. I narrowed the decision down to the Trek 5200 and the Eddy Merckx Fuga. I test rode the 5200 first and was impressed with the shock absorbing capabilities and the transfer of power to the road. The ride though lacked the feel that I was accustomed to with my aluminum frame. Then I test rode the Merckx Fuga. The model I got to take for a test ride was a 54cm frame (I ride a 60cm), but even with the obvious difficulty of evaluating a bike in a frame so far from my size, I knew this was the bike for me. The ride is very smooth yet very responsive. I was immediately sold after that short test ride.
The bike has been a dream to ride. It fits me perfectly due to the great work at the shop to ensure that I got the right size frame, stem length and saddle height. This bike climbs like a dream, is very stable on descents and puts all of your efforts to the rear wheel and turns it into forward motion. The Fuga (as built) was a few hundred dollars more than the Trek 5200, but close to $800.00 less than the Prince. It is a great ride and I highly recommend it.
Strengths: Absorbs road shock while providing great feel for the road. Stiff where needed and climbs like a homesick angel. Great paint job (have to see it in person to appreicate it).
Weaknesses: None. (Except that there are not enough hours in the day to ride it as much as I want to - I really like this bike.)
Similar Products Used: Considered Pinarello Prince and Opera. Test rode Trek 5200. Old bike is a Trek 1500 with Shimano Ultegra
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