Merak is DeRosa's lightest frame at 2.5 pounds! This is accomplished by means of Merak's Dedacciai SC 6110 tubes, whichare custom made for DeRosa.
The mega-sized butted down tube and top tube are formed in an angular teardrop shape that features Special ribbed reinforcements. Oversize stays have semi vertical dropouts. The special tubes
are TIG welded at the DeRosa workshop in their trademark geometry.
The fork is also specially designed with carbon composite blades that are tuned to the geometry of the frame.
Strengths: comfort, cornering speed, ability to absorb road contours, ability to hopld a 75kg road racer over 2 seasons - without a whimper. Class looks and comments from adoring italophiles.
Weaknesses: Paint. But I have yet to own an Italian bike that the paint stayed on...I have had a Daccordi, a Romani, a Ciocc, 2 Colnago and 4 De Rosa...paint on all of them....rubbish.
Bottom Line:
This is the second Merak I have owned, the first broke in two when some idiot opened the crash barrier in the National Circuit Championships, and I hit it at about 35mph. That was really light, and a great frame - little flex and superlight. I replaced it with a 2004 Merak, not as light, but a great frame - I have raced it for 2 years, and have replaced it this year for a King. The Merak is now my training bike, but the biggest issue that I have is that the silver / chrome paint falls off and needs to be changed by De Rosa - which they have done - I now have a Merak, 2004 in 2007 colours; brilliant after sales service - direct from De Rosa- don't waste your time with the 'principle outlet' go to the factory, if you can. I flew my De Rosa to them, met Danillo De Rosa...they are the absolute pinnacle of what prestige bike building is about. I love my bikes, and none more so that my De Rosas.
Similar Products Used: Ciocc Airone, Colnago Master, Romani SLX, Daccordi TSX, De Rosa King, De Rosa Merak 2002
Bike Setup: Ultegra on the Airone, then Record. Then Record on all the rest.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
P.T. Reynolds
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2006
Strengths: ***Flawless contruction. The frame looks, feels, and performs like it was handbuilt by a master craftsman.
***Very stable at high speeds.
***This is subjective, but the frame has a masterfully handbuilt "vibe."
***Those "who know" cycling legend show a lot of respect to the bike.
Weaknesses: ***To my body, the ride is harsh. Personally, I like this feeling "the road," but it does tire the body. Mine is a very stiff, full-racing frame/fork (Mizuno carbon).
Bottom Line:
Mine is the first-generation, all aluminum, gold/black finish year 2000, 53 cm. This bike was designed for high-speed professional road racing. It handles extremely quickly and is very stable at high speeds. Accelerates like a Cheetah and climbs like a cloud. The ride is pretty harsh, but a person really feels "in touch" with the road - I like that.
I've ridden this bike for over two years now and absolutely love it. It climbs, it sprints, it corners. I have never desired another bike in the time that I've had the De Rosa. As far as I am concerned, I found the perfect ride!
Strengths: Quite simply you go faster for the same effort. I have several other quality road bikes with similar kit. With the same wheels in this bike is between 5 and 10% faster around my 1 hour 'quickie' route of country lanes when riding at a constant base HR. In a time trial I can do a short 22 minute 10 on my local course without tri bars or pointy hat, etc. Road racing (limited) it is awesome, remaining comfortable over long distances. End of eulogy.
Weaknesses: You are joking yeah?
I have the soft paint finish. Bit of a devil to keep clean but it looks super.
Bottom Line:
This bike just leaves me wondering what is so different about it that means you ride up to 10% faster than on other high quality bikes. Staggering.
Have only done 150km over two days but this bike is superb those boys know how to make a bike go fast with comfort and style.
Cornering is amazing the only thing stopping me going faster is me.
I weigh 85kg and will report on durability at a later date.
Similar Products Used: Canondale R4000 9sp d/a 1998
Bike Setup: 2004 merak with DAVS fork - 61cm
record grouppo inc hubs
fsa bars and cranks/bb
deda einstein stem
nokon cables
Arione saddle thompson post - see in bike shots (New Love)
I wanna buy a new bike. Ive narrowed the decision down to two bike De rosa Merak and the wilier imperiale both 2010 models, which one should i get Read More »
Any ideas what year this Merak is?
Thinking of building with old silver 10 speed record and Centaur 2009 alloy shifters. Wheels will be GL330s on silver Record with Veloflex Crit Read More »
Morning all.
Let's get this straight, I have always lusted after an Idol (well the bendy frame 2008 one to be precise) but that's old tech now ;)
So I'm about to pull the tri Read More »
anybody owns a merak 2010?i want to buy one but i want to know if its good.my city does not have a dealer and i cant see it.some photos would be very interesting for me. Read More »
I'm looking at getting a 2012 Merak, but I'll need their biggest size, the 73.5 or BR 58cm (same thing).
I just havent been able to find any pics of them in that size on the net Read More »
