Eddy Merckx 2001 titanium EX Older Racing Bike
4.8
/5
REVIEWS
4.8
QIKRATE
4.0
WEB
0.0
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USER REVIEWS
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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paint, comfort, climbs and sprints well
none
I purchased my Merckx Titane (EX) used from a bike broker in the Netherlands. It has custom paint by Merckx (including the name of the original owner) and the paint is superb. Initially I put a Reynolds carbon fork on it but found it had too much flex, so I switched back to the original painted steel Podium fork that the bike came with. The bike is an exceptional descender with this fork but it is also quick through tighter corners. I've upgraded the bike to Titanium 9 speed Super Record mech with Record carbon shifters and run Cosmic SLR wheels on it. The bike is not as light as my Colnago C50 but I love riding a metal bike as a change. It is a great rouleur style bike and just flies on the flats. It is also a respectable climber, but not in the same league as the C50. This is my bike for all day tours and rainy weather and for those days when I want to show that a 52 year old riding an older metal bike can still make younger guys feel a little pain.
OVERALL RATING |
4 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
4 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Ride, fit and handling. Ride quality is excellent, absorbing most road buzz. Fit is rather individual but this particular bike fits me the best of my current fleet of 8 cycles. Handling is right up there with my C40. Critical part here, and this applies to ride quality as well, is finding the right fork.
Not the most responsive bike when honking out of the saddle. Probably a function of the chainstay length. Not a big deal but definitely not my choice to race crits. No other weaknesses
This bike is right up there with my C40 as the favorite bike to ride. It handles well, is comfortable and is predictable. Like the C40, you forget it's there. I'd buy another if I could find one. I had a 1999 Vortex which I bought new and put on close to 20k miles. I ended up selling it as the Merckx fit and handled much better. The C40 is lighter and more responsive but you'd expect that given the material and price of the Colnago. Fork choice is key and I happen to be a big fan of Colnago Star and Force forks. The Force matches up superbly with this frame.
Similar Products Used:
Litespeed Vortex, Colnago C40 and Tenos, Corrado custom steel, Gios Torino, Davidson Challenger, Marinnoni custom steel, 3Rensho Katana, Pinarello Gavia, Merckx Corsa and Chas Roberts custom steel
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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The bike climbs well because it's light and stiff. It descends better than any other bike I have ridden. It is perfectly stable hands off under any conditions.
This is the only bike I've ever ridden with absolutely no weaknesses. Eddy Merckx simply knows bikes. The wheelbase is a very little longer than most bikes now and it seems to make a difference.
This is without a doubt the best handling bike I've ever ridden. I ride large bikes and I hesitated to get a Ti bike because of worries about speed wobbles and the like. But this bike is the perfect bike. There doesn't seem to be any weaknesses at all.
Similar Products Used:
I have a Basso Loto which is a SUPER bike but not quite as good as the EX. I have a Colnago Super which can't compare. A Colnago Master which doesn't handle as well because it's too stiff and bounces all over the road. I have a Vitus 992 which is a nice ride but sort of blah. And a Bottecchia Aelle tubed bike which rides really nice but is sort of flexy for really hard riding. I also have an Eddy Merckx Corsa 0.1 which also handles very well but this is even better.
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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It climbs like a mtn goat. It carves corners. It goes like crazy. It is stiff without being harsh.
NONE
This bike is the best.It is an excellent climber.You can tempo.You can grind it out.It is very stiff in the bottom bracket.It handels like it is on a rail. Down hill is the best.You just let it go. Point & shoot.The faster you go the better it is. As you go faster it gets smother & it carves the corners. Trust me buy one. you won''t be sorry.
Similar Products Used:
Torelli Nitro Express.