Merckx EMX-5/Shimano Ultegra 11 Complete Road Bike Review

Merckx EMX-5/Shimano Ultegra 11 Complete Road Bike for Sale

Backcountry : Merckx EMX-5/Shimano Ultegra 11 Complete Road Bike Features & Description

Simply put, the Merckx EMX-5/ Shimano Ultegra 11 Complete Road Bike was built to be a workhorse. It provides a lightweight, rigid, and stable platform for the strongest riders in professional cycling, which makes sense when you consider the palmares of the name on the down tube. And compared to prior iterations of the EMX, you'll find that Merckx really went to town fine tuning the EMX-5. It now features a massive BB86 bottom bracket, a 1-1/2in lower headset bearing, and fully internal cable routing. In other words, the best just got better.

Starting with the frame itself, Merckx's EMX-5 was constructed using a full Carbon Laminate + layup. Essentially, this technique involves layering the carbon fiber sheets together in ways that maximize the strength and rigidity of the frame. This layup was combined with Merckx's Optimized Structural Reinforcement (OSR), which, as the name suggests, places high modular (50HM/HS) stiffness fibers in strategic areas for added reinforcement. These fibers were used in conjunction with high-strength fibers at force-load-heavy zones, such as the BB86 bottom bracket and head tube junctions. By using these methods together, Merckx engineers were able to add material where it's needed for increased rigidity, while removing material at less flex-prone areas to keep the overall weight as low as possible. This is the same technique that's used for all of Merckx's top-end carbon road frames, as it yields the ideal combination of stiffness, low weight, and vertical compliance.

The EMX-5 provides a comfortable ride, yet it still possesses the race-tuned characteristics that are necessary for competitive road racing. Aside from the frame's optimized layup schedule, the fork has also been designed to deliver maximum stability and speed. The carbon blades, made from OSR 50 1K carbon, flare to a wide, aerodynamic shape toward the 1-1/2 to 1-1/8in steerer, which works to both cut aerodynamic drag and to provide precise handling up front. Similarly, at the rear end of the frame, both the seatstays and chainstays were designed with handling and power transfer in mind. Their slender shapes provide the ideal blend of comfort and transmission of power directly to the rear wheel.

To further the reputation of the EMX-5, Shimano's new Ultegra 11-speed groupset was used to complete the build. When Shimano revamped its trusted Ultegra groupset under the new 11-speed 6800 banner, it did so only after carefully studying the mechanics of its flagship Dura-Ace 9000 mechanical group. Now, Ultegra provides a near mimic of Dura-Ace's 11-speed functionality and aesthetics. As for the particulars of the build, the EMX-5 features a 50/34t crankset and an 11-25t cassette. The group has been paired with the a HED Ardennes LT wheelset that's been cased in Schwalbe Lugano clincher tires. Finishing the build are Zipp's Service Course handlebar and stem, while a Selle Italia SL Kit Carnonio saddle sits on an FSA post.

The Merckx EMX-5/Shimano Ultegra 11 Complete Road Bike is available in six even sizes from 50 to 60cm and in the colors Matte Black, Red/white, and White/black.