Price Paid:
$2900.00
at Full Cycle - Boulder Model Year:
2007 Favorite Ride:
any Bike Setup:
-08 Merckx LXM, campy centaur, campy wheels, deda bars, look pedals, selle italia saddle, cinelli grips. Summary:
I recently moved to Boulder,CO and needed to buy a new bike as I sold my other before moving. I began on a 2 day tour de force of Boulder Bike shops. I tested 25 bikes in all and each were ridden on routes ranging from 1-3 miles. The Eddy Merckx 2008 LXM was the first bicycle I tried out. Having ridden steel road bikes my whole life, after the first pedal stroke, I knew I wanted a carbon frame. The bike accelerated like a finely tuned Porsche, light, stable, responsive, and forgiving enough to dampen harsh road vibrations. I was ecstatic after testing it out, feeling really really excited about cycling again.
The following 24 bike that I tested included similiar offerings(in price and component range) and were from brands such as Pinarello, Time, Scott, BH, BMC, willier, rocky mountain, colnago, and seven cycles. The only bike that came close to the amazing feel of the LXM was the BH.
I returned to the LBS where I first tried the merckx and test road it again. I thought maybe my respect for the greatest cyclist of all time, Merckx, had somehow nostalgically altered my reality and perception of its real ride/aspects. All my newly conjured doubts dissapated as soon as I revved that thing up again. The feeling of this bike is truly amazing for its "relatively" modest price tag. For just under $3000, I got the LXM with Campy wheels, deda newton bars, look pedals, Campy centaur carbon grouppo, and selle italia flite saddle. That is an OUTSTANDING Value when comparing it to other similiar offerings from various manufacturers.
In summary, The best way I can summarize the feel of the Merckx 2008 LXM is something akin to a streamlined thoroughbred arabian race horse, eager to sprint, but with the long-range comfort of an old betsy with a plush saddle. Strengths:
-The way the carbon frame is constructed, the bike feels quite stiff allowing for some serious pedal mashing. But it also feels forgiving enough for something like a century ride. This bicycle give the biggest bang for each retail buck. Weaknesses:
I have not owned this long enough to determine any obvious flaws. Similar Products Used:
-2007 Allez Elite
-1987 Merckx super corsa
-1982 Colnago Superissimo
-1982 Gios Torino Super Record
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