Get ready to witness the future of gravel biking as Eddy Merckx ventures into the realm of titanium! This cutting-edge prototype, set to grace the UCI World Championships, is a testament to the brand's innovative spirit. But what makes this bike truly remarkable? Let's dive in and explore the fascinating world of titanium in cycling.
A Historic Shift in Materials
In the realm of cycling, titanium has a rich history. Back in 1999, Lotto rode the GT Edge bikes, and in 2002, Robbie McEwen claimed the green jersey on a titanium Litespeed. However, it was Magnus Bäckstedt's triumph in the 2004 Paris-Roubaix, aboard a custom titanium Bianchi, that truly solidified titanium's place in cycling lore. Now, Eddy Merckx is bringing this wonder metal to the gravel biking scene.
The Allure of Titanium
Merckx's new prototype showcases the perfect marriage of titanium's durability, corrosion resistance, and fatigue resistance with a touch of vintage charm and modern flair. With a tyre clearance of 47mm, it accommodates the latest trend in gravel biking—larger tyres. The bike also features a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger and internal cable routing, ensuring a sleek and efficient design.
Columbus Hyperion: A Titanium Revolution
The heart of this prototype lies in the Columbus Hyperion titanium tubing, a 3Al-2.5v grade 9 material cold-drawn into butted tubing. Columbus claims this process yields an impressive strength of 200[kNm]/kg, a 22% increase in ultimate tensile strength (UTS) compared to standard titanium. When compared to aluminium, it's a 40% increase, and 15-20% lighter than Columbus' high-grade steel tubing. This makes the frame highly compliant, perfect for navigating rough terrain.
A Custom Build for Vanderstorme
The bike assembled for Dylan Vandenstorme, of Team Flanders-Baloise, is a masterpiece of customization. It features the latest wireless Shimano XT rear derailleur, a Dura-Ace crankset with a single Wolf Tooth 50-tooth chainring, and a host of matching blue anodised parts from Wolf Tooth, including the headset, seat collar, bolts, and thru-axles. The FFWD Drift wheelset, wrapped with Vittoria's Terreno tyres in Dry spec, completes the ensemble.
Titanium's Rising Star
Eddy Merckx has announced the arrival of titanium bikes next year, and the cycling world is abuzz with anticipation. As a long-time titanium enthusiast, I'm thrilled to see this material take center stage in gravel biking. Perhaps it's time to add a metal Merckx to my collection! Will you be joining the titanium revolution in your next gravel bike purchase?
