Eddy Merckx, the most winning cyclist in history, returns to his racing roots with a new line of steel bikes, starting with the 70-batch, boutique to commemorate his 70th birthday.
Constructed of Columbus XCr seamless stainless steel, the most premium tubing on the market, and TIG welded in the company’s Belgium factory by Merckx’s favored personal welder, Johan Vranckx, the Eddy70 could be the most expensive steel bike to ever hit the market. It ships with a Columbus carbon fork and is available in seven sizes. Custom geometries are out of the question as Merckx himself worked to perfect the bike’s fit and ride characteristics.
The white and red finish is painted to look like Merckx’s 1968 Faema, which he rode to victory at Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d’Italia. It comes with special edition components and Campagnolo Bora Ultra 35 wheels, all of which are imprinted with the Eddy70 logo. There’s also a stainless steel number plate, each unique from one to 70 and all signed by Merckx.
Steel may not be at the cutting edge of bicycle design these days, but the company stresses that the Eddy70, and the line of steel frames that will follow, aren’t just antique throwbacks. “Everyone knows that I was always obsessively focused on the equipment that I rode,” Merckx said in announcing the Eddy70. “That is still the case. And I wanted only the best and most modern components and materials for this bike. The aim was to make a high performance contemporary racing bike, not a replica of my old racing bike.”
Riding like the master won’t come cheap, with a complete Eddy70 selling for $17,500. The first bike was delivered to Merckx at the launch last week, but the rest of the Eddy70s won’t ship until June 17th, Merckx’s birthday. The company is taking orders now. And despite that prohibitive price tag, over half of the fleet has already been purchased.