About the Eddy Merckx geometry
At first glance, there don't seem to be many differences between the 525 and the Mendrisio or between the Pévèle and the Strasbourg. Yet the bike's focus is elsewhere each time, partly the result of sophisticated geometry. We sat down with our product developers and immersed ourselves in the secrets behind this game of millimetres: ‘Once we had our master welder Johan Vranckx weld a frame to experience for himself what a new geometry would do.’
‘The basis for a bike's geometry has been fixed for years,’ our specialists immediately chime in. ‘It's not like we keep starting from a white paper and trying out all kinds of different triangles. The first thinking exercise we do is about the intended application of the bike. In which segment will we launch the bike? Who will the bike be built for? In what way will this rider ride the bike? That's what we need to determine first.’
‘Stack’ and ‘Reach’
Each segment requires a different geometry. ‘You really can't use racing geometry on a gravel bike. That would lead to a rider being far too nervous on the bike. The vertical distance between the bottom bracket and the top of the head tube determines the ‘stack’. The higher this is, the more comfortable the rider sits on the bike, while a lower stack is extra aerodynamic. The ‘reach’, in turn, is the distance from the bottom bracket to the centre of the head tube. Here, the longer it is, the more stable and efficient the rider experiences their ride, while a compact stance feels agile and responsive.’
The sizing of a bicycle is independent of its geometry. All parts of a bike will be slightly longer, but remain the same in proportion. A longer seat tube offers more space and is ideal for taller riders, but it does not affect bike handling much.
Trends
The geometry of road bikes has been fixed for a number of years. ‘We have so much experience here and changed little or nothing here in recent years,’ he says. So it is mainly the niche products that provide the necessary thinking, with primarily newer families such as all-road (to which the Pévèle belongs) and gravel (to which the Strasbourg belongs).
‘These segments are constantly evolving. There are sometimes trends here: things that emerge and then disappear after a while. You can sometimes play with the head tube angle, the fork angle, the seat tube angle and the height of the bottom bracket. This never involves changes of 5 degrees, at most a degree or 2. This is why we sometimes find the winning geometry after only a few hours. Then there are many steps to go from sketch to finished product. That can take more than a year.’
Sometimes it is also a story of trial and error. ‘You cannot immediately have a carbon mould made of a particular frame. This costs a huge amount of money, so has to be right right away. So to try something out, we have already called in Johan, who can weld a frame. That way we could try out the geometry, though.’
‘These segments are constantly evolving. There are sometimes trends here: things that emerge and then disappear after a while. You can sometimes play with the head tube angle, the fork angle, the seat tube angle and the height of the bottom bracket. This never involves changes of 5 degrees, at most a degree or 2. This is why we sometimes find the winning geometry after only a few hours. Then there are many steps to go from sketch to finished product. That can take more than a year.’
Sometimes it is also a story of trial and error. ‘You cannot immediately have a carbon mould made of a particular frame. This costs a huge amount of money, so has to be right right away. So to try something out, we have already called in Johan, who can weld a frame. That way we could try out the geometry, though.’
Ride feel
A common wisdom is that a certain ride feel is the direct result of geometry. Nevertheless, our product developers want to refute that. ‘It certainly has an influence, but it is not all-important. It is the combination of geometry and material that determines the ride feel. The stiffness of a bike, the carbon composition, the tubing... These things make the difference. That's why the 525 and the Mendrisio don't differ much from each other geometrically, but the 525 is still used more for performance, while the Mendrisio is the bike for long days in the saddle.’
For example, the product developers point to the curvature in the rear fork, which is typical of Eddy Merckx's bikes. ‘This provides extra comfort and increased balance. The curvature is part of the legacy of Eddy Merckx Bikes, so we think it's also important to keep it alive. Our bikes are known for their balanced riding feel. Our customers are very satisfied with that, so we keep this tradition going!’
For example, the product developers point to the curvature in the rear fork, which is typical of Eddy Merckx's bikes. ‘This provides extra comfort and increased balance. The curvature is part of the legacy of Eddy Merckx Bikes, so we think it's also important to keep it alive. Our bikes are known for their balanced riding feel. Our customers are very satisfied with that, so we keep this tradition going!’
S-shaped rear fork
The S-shaped rear fork is characteristic of every Eddy Merckx bicycle. It doesn't just have an aesthetic purpose: ‘This S-shaped rear fork provides extra comfort and increased balance. The curvature is part of the heritage of Eddy Merckx Bikes, so we think it's also important to keep it alive. Our bikes are known for their balanced riding feel. Our customers are very satisfied with that, so we stay true to this innovation!’
