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Eurobike report: Hot new road bikes from Eddy Merckx, Colnago and Lapierre

  • By Zack Vestal
  • Published Sep. 3, 2010
  • Updated Feb. 8, 2011 at 8:50 PM UTC
2010 Eurobike report: Colnago C59

What's crazy about the Di2 Colnago is that there's no battery or wires visible at all - everything is completely internal.

Colnago

Colnago has two new models for 2011. They’ve both been on the scene since earlier in the year, but aside from a quick look at BBox-Bouygues team bikes at the Tour I hadn’t yet zeroed in on the new C59 model. The C59 Italia is Colnago’s new all-Italian, top of the line, custom-made racing bike. It’s similar to the EPS, but with a re-shaped top and down tube in the mold of original Master cloverleaf tubes. Both are internally ribbed for added stiffness. The chain stays and seat stays are square, also aimed at increasing rigidity. Colnago says the bike was four years in development and weighs about 1000 grams for the frame.

Also from Colnago, the new M10 monocoque frame commands prime real estate in the Italian booth. Colnago says the M10 builds on the construction methods pioneered with their popular CX-1 model. Updated lamination technology and materials used in the manufacture of the M10 make it lighter than the CX-1 and stiffer laterally thanks to a bigger bottom bracket, but with a little more vertical absorption to provide more comfort. It sports current design elements like a tapered head tube and fork, plus internal cable routing.

Eddy Merckx

New for the year from the Cannibal’s own lair is the EMX-7. It’s built as a monocoque from 62HM carbon fiber and includes an integrated, aero-profiled seat tube. The aerodynamic fork blades merge with a crown profile mated to the down tube and the seat stays share a bladed, aero cross section. The cables are routed internally, entering the frame through the oversized, tapered head tube. Chainstays are asymmetric for stiffness, as is the oversized bottom bracket.

2010 Eurobike report: Eddy Merckx EMX-7

A clever window in the Eddy Merckx EMX-7 paint reveals carbon fiber underneath.

Lapierre

Improved comfort was Lapierre’s goal with the updated Sensium. The model was part of last year’s range, but now sports an elastomer damper in the upper end of the curved seat stays. Other frame features include a tapered head tube, 4mm of additional chainstay length over the race-oriented Xelius, and internal cable routing.

But the real news from Lapierre is the introduction of the W Series. No, it’s not a women’s bike line. The “W” stands for “web,” and the series is centered on an Internet-based custom build program not unlike Trek’s Project One. Starting with either a Sensium or Xelius road frame, riders can choose their preferred size and color, wheelset, component group, saddle, and cockpit components. Once the build is finalized, the order can be placed through a Lapierre dealer for delivery to the shop.

FILED UNDER: Bikes and Tech / Eurobike / Gallery TAGS: / / / / /

Zack Vestal

Zack Vestal

Zack joined VeloNews in 2009, bringing 15 years of industry experience to the Tech Editor position. Most recently manager and mechanic for the Trek-VW mountain bike team (2004-08), he has an unused geology degree from Whitman College (and a well-worn Ph.D. from the school of hard knocks). Vestal covers the latest in cycling gear online, and brings in-depth perspective to the magazine.