Belgian Bike Porn Episode 2: Merckx Premium with SRAM
In this second instalment, again shot at Lokeren, we see a more quintessential belgian stead. An Aluminium Merckx Premium, with SRAM groupset. This is the bike of the team that Melbournian Dylan Newell is riding for this season.
Some points to note include the deda magic bar and stem, curvilinear seatstays, and sella italia flite saddle. This bike is team issue through and through with no individual flourishes from the rider. BORING.
An interesting aside is that the team have decided to run Dura-Ace cassettes and chains with the SRAM groupset because the innovative sram cassettes with missing cogs were prone to failure in the muddy early season races. (I shouldn't say early season, there were some muddy mid summer races that I took part in where it rained all bloody day). Another flaw with the SRAM groupset is that apparently when you have the chain in the 39-11 or 53-25, and peddle backwards the chain falls off. Weird. But anyway, the new SRAM chain and cassette are not popular with the locals at all.
The thing I love about this bike is that it doesn't even have a cycle computer. Every American I met in Belgium (OK so it was only two) had an SRM or a powertap. Pretty expensive (and unnecessary) kit methinks. That and the prevelence of aluminium- this is a stiff as buggery race bike. No cafe cruising please.
posted by timboy at 2:45 AM
3 Comments:
Other problem with SRAM is that wheel changes are a bitch because the derailleur is grabby on the cassette and you have to push it out of the way. Teething issues, I think. I am looking forward to Red.
If I'm dropping $1600 for a gruppo, I don't want teething issues!
True that.
But I'm happy someone is keeping the big names on their toes and I think if Red sorts out the issues that Force has had it could be a very very solid group.
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