Readers’ Rigs: Eddy Merckx EM525 Performance Disc

Eddy Merckx; the best cyclist ever. Also the bike frames that carry his name have a fine race winning pedigree. Jacob, in Utah, has a disk EM525 Merckx built up with Sram, FFWD, Speedplay and San Marco. A Belgian Beauty.

Name: Jacob Burby
Location: Herriman, Utah
Bike: Eddy Merckx EM525 Performance Disc
Groupset: Sram Red AXS
Wheels: FFWD F4 Disc
Pedals: Speedplay Zero Ti
Saddle: Selle San Marco Aspide 2 CFX Carbon
Other: 4iii Podium Power Meter, Elite Vico Carbon cages w/ titanium hardware, vision Metron 5d integrated bar/stem
Weight: 7.3 kg/16.2 lbs.

When did you buy it?
2020.

What made you choose this bike?
I specifically chose the 2017 model frame for it’s more racey lines, reputation for durability, and stiffness especially on rough roads and pave,’ and of course the namesake of the Cannibal himself. while the newer 2018-2020 models are beautiful in their own right, they are much more subdued in their graphics and small details, which I felt didn’t do credit to the greatest cyclist of all time. the EM525 Disc is a workhorse racing machine that could take its punches in the groupetto, and yet still have the stiffness and weight to both sprint and climb. The disc brakes offer modulation and control along with tight lines and a beefy head tube for control in the steepest of alpine descents and conditions. And it looks fast standing still, making you want to constantly push it to its limits through every turn and descent.

Have you done any modifications/additions to it?
4iiii Podium Left side power meter (factory installed).

How many miles/kilometers do you do a year?
Usually about 15,000/24000 on average a year +/-

What do you love about this bike?
Striking visuals and subtle details of Eddy Merckx’s 525 victories are present in small token design additions such as the phrasing on the inner downtube of “525 Victories no one can take them away from me” along with the world championship colors, and the pink, orange, and yellow of the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta España, and Tour de France victories on the rear seat stays. The reputation of both the Cannibal and high-caliber carbon layup and solid Belgian Design Engineering make for a bike that is not just fast, but looks fast as well.

Favorite riding area?
The mountains if the Wasatch front, Utah, and the steep alpine roads of the Tour of Utah.

Favorite riding experience on your bike?
Climbing above Lake Como in Magreglio Italy to summit at the Maddona del Ghissalo chapel and Cycling Museum.

Future upgrades?
While the FFWD F4 wheels are both aero and strong, lighter climbing wheels are crucial for out steep Utah terrain.

Last words?
The Eddy Merckx line of bikes offer a historical nod to the greatest cyclist of all time, and for those of us who ride not just to race and train, but as a part of our love and passion for the sport and it’s beautiful history, the Merckx stands out in a crowd of more common mass-market brands so common across the US that are all so similar and subtle that they simply disappear. Cycling is the most beautiful and passionate of sports, and so should be its machines.

Thanks to Jacob for sharing his ride with us. Got a bike that you walk into the room just to stare at? Well how about sharing it with fellow PEZ fans and getting it featured in Readers’ Rigs so we can all stare at it! Send us a Readers’ Rigs submission direct to [email protected] and your bike could be featured in all its glory here on the pages of PEZ.