With the launch of the EDDY70 racing bike, Eddy Merckx Cycles feels that it is opening a new chapter. That is, one of modern, high quality steel racing bikes. The first fruit of this project – of which only 70 examples will be produced – is the forerunner of a new Heritage collection, which will be available from September at a selection of bike stores.
The eddy70 bike can now be ordered exclusively via eddy70.com and will cost a not insubstantial US$17500.
With the Heritage Line, Eddy Merckx Cycles is drawing on the past, but only in terms of the design and colour, as the new steel bikes cannot be compared with the race machines from Eddy’s glory years. These are neither retro bikes, nor something for fixie-lovers. They are positioned as ‘ultramodern, state-of-the-art racing bikes, improved with the best Columbus steel alloys and designed for superior performance.’
The EDDY70 bike is built completely according to the wishes of Eddy Merckx and on 27 January the first example – which bears the number 1 – was handed over to Eddy himself, who turns 70 this year.
This week, cycling enthusiasts worldwide can order their own example via eddy70.com, where they can choose their own personal number (between 2 and 70), as well as the place where Merckx can put his own signature on the steel.
In the months following the order they can follow the whole production process via the Eddy Merckx Cycles Facebook page until they are finally invited to collect their personal bike in Faema colours at their local Eddy Merckx Cycles Dealer. At the same time they will receive a unique photo book that has been signed by Merckx.
Faema stands for Fabbrica Apparecchiature Elettromeccaniche E Affini (factory equipment electromechanical and allied products). The first bikes will be delivered on 17 June, which is Eddy Merckx’s birthday.
For the steel frame of the EDDY70 the newest Columbus XCr seamless steel tubes are used. The ultralight and rigid RFS (stainless steel) lends itself to the production of racing bikes. The steel is TIG welded in the Eddy Merckx Cycles workshops and fitted with a carbon fibre Columbus front fork, after which the frame is painted.
The bike is then fitted with a Campagnolo Super Record set and Campagnolo Bora Ultra 35 wheels; both with the unique EDDY70 signature. The same icon is also printed on the cockpit, seat post and Cinelli seat.
“Everyone knows that I was always obsessively focused on the equipment that I rode on,” said Merckx. “That is still the case now. And as a result, I wanted only the best and most modern components and materials for this bike. The aim was absolutely to make a high performance, contemporary racing bike and not a replica of my old racing bike.”
Every release by Eddy Merckx Cycles is seen as a tribute to the rich heritage created by the greatest racing cyclist of all time.
Eddy Merckx Cycles was created by Eddy Merckx in 1980 and is still based in Belgium. The company sells high-end racing bikes in more than 25 countries via 20 distribution partners. At the Benelux level the brand is sold by around 110 official Eddy Merckx Cycles dealers.
www.eddymerckx.com
www.eddy70.com
