Eddy Merckx525R
Launched in June 2026, the 525R is Eddy Merckx's new aero race bike, developed by Belgian Cycling Factory from the aero down tube of Ridley's Noah. Its headline is a 'progressive' geometry: the seat angle gets steeper as the size grows, with longer reach and a lower bottom bracket, to hold riders in a faster position. Merckx claims a 952 g frame (M), 9% less drag than the old 525 and 34 mm tyre clearance; Team Flanders-Baloise races it.
- From
- €12,999€12,999£11,499
- Builds
- 6
- Sizes
- 4
- Frame weight
- 952 g33.6 oz
Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo
Our verdict
Overall
out of 100, average of 6 categories
For racers who want a fast, fit-focused aero bike: a steeper seat angle and longer reach in bigger sizes, a 952 g frame, 34 mm clearance, UDH and a lifetime warranty. You get only four sizes, no published drag numbers beyond a 9% gain on the old 525, and a proprietary one-piece cockpit and seatpost.
Scored Oct 2026
- + Premium frame
- + Aero-first design
- + Top-tier build kit
AI-drafted from the specs on this page and reviewed before publishing. Scores are relative to every bike in the catalog when they were given, so they drop as newer bikes and parts raise the bar.
- Aero
- 86/100
- Frame
- 88/100
- Components
- 84/100
- Fit
- 74/100
- Practicality
- 72/100
- Price
- 75/100
Aero claims and front-end integration
Carbon grade, weight and warranty
Groupset, wheels and power meter
Sizes and adjustment range
Travel, standard parts, servicing
From the cheapest complete-bike MSRP
Bike duel
Reviews
3 independent reviews of the Eddy Merckx 525R.
- WrittenWarren RossiterTested: Shimano Ultegra Di24.5/5
- Written
Escape Collective
Eddy Merckx 525R: This jack of all trades is a master of performanceRonan Mc Laughlin - WrittenSteven KinsTested: Shimano Ultegra Di2In Dutch
Frame & platform
Frame & fork
- Frame material
- High-modulus carbon
- Fork material
- Carbon, asymmetric with a diffuser-style crown
- Frame weight
- 952 g33.6 oz
- Weight measured on
- Size M (Eddy Merckx); finish not stated
- Max system weight
- 110 kg242.5 lb
- Frame sizes
- XS, S, M, L
- Colours
- Collection designs 52R01AS (grey with red) and 52R01BS (silver secondary colour); further designs in the configurator
- UCI frame approval
- Approved 3 Nov 2025 as '525R' (frame and fork), sizes XS-L (4), code EMC-015 (UCI list version 2026.10.02)
Compatibility & standards
- Brake type
- Flat mount disc
- Wheel size
- 700c
- Max tire width
- 34 mm
- Drivetrain compatibility
- UDH rear derailleur interface for all current road drivetrains; Merckx builds it with Shimano Di2, SRAM AXS (2x and XPLR 1x) and Campagnolo Super Record Wireless
- 1x compatible
- Yes
- Front derailleur mount
- Removable braze-on hanger
Fit & adjustability
- Cockpit
- One-piece Forza Nimbus Pro bar and stem (360 mm at the hoods, 400 mm in the drops); wider cockpit options offered
- Seatpost type
- Slim 525R aero carbon post (370 mm, 0 mm offset) with integrated clamp
- Fit notes
- Four sizes with a progressive geometry: seat angle 74.5° (XS) to 76° (L) and reach 377-437 mm, so riders keep the same hip angle and saddle setback relative to the bottom bracket in every size and can use standard stem lengths.
Aerodynamics
- Manufacturer aero claims
- 9% less aerodynamic drag than the previous 525; deep head tube to the UCI limit, a down tube profiled to work with bottles, an asymmetric fork for crosswinds and a diffuser-style fork crown
- Testing method
- Position and geometry validated in the Aero Performance Lab wind tunnel; Merckx publishes no drag numbers
- Tube profile
- Down tube based on Ridley's Noah aero platform; slim seat stays
Travel, maintenance & warranty
- Headset bearings
- CeramicSpeed SLT bearings (lifetime warranty)
- Derailleur hanger
- UDH
- Proprietary parts
- Forza Nimbus Pro cockpit, 525R seatpost
- Frame warranty
- Lifetime, transferable, after registration within 30 days of purchase; requires annual servicing at an authorised dealer
- Sold via
- Through Eddy Merckx dealers and the brand's online store; configurable to order
Design sketches
Builds & components
Highlighted rows differ between builds. Green marks the best value.
525R Frameset | 525R Campagnolo Super Record 2x13 | 525R Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2x12 | 525R SRAM Red AXS 2x12 incl. power meter | 525R Shimano Ultegra Di2 2x12 | 525R SRAM Force AXS 2x12 incl. spindle power meter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||||||
| Price (MSRP) | €4,499€4,499£3,999 | €12,999€12,999£11,499 | €10,499€10,499£9,499 | €9,499€9,499€9,499 | €6,999€6,999£6,299 | €6,799€6,799€6,799 |
| Type | Frameset | Complete bike | Complete bike | Complete bike | Complete bike | Complete bike |
| Notes | Frame, fork, Forza Nimbus Pro one-piece cockpit and 525R seatpost (design 52R01AS). EUR from the Belgian store, GBP £3,999 from the UK store. | Pre-configured 'collection' bike (design 52R01BS, silver secondary colour) in sizes XS-L; Merckx also builds it to order in its configurator. EUR price from the Belgian store, GBP from the UK store. Pedals not included. | Pre-configured 'collection' bike (design 52R01AS, grey with red) in sizes XS-L; Merckx also builds it to order in its configurator. EUR price from the Belgian store, GBP from the UK store (Merckx's US site also shows EUR). Pedals not included. Merckx's configurator starts this groupset at €9,135 (£8,221.50) with other parts chosen. | Configurator build only ('from' price; wheels, tyres and saddle are chosen when ordering, so they aren't listed). The UK store shows £8,549.10, which is 90% of the euro price rather than a separate MSRP, so it isn't recorded. | Pre-configured 'collection' bike (design 52R01AS, grey with red) in sizes XS-L; Merckx also builds it to order in its configurator. EUR price from the Belgian store, GBP from the UK store (Merckx's US site also shows EUR). Pedals not included. Grinta! and road.cc call the €6,999 Ultegra Di2 bike the Launch Edition (road.cc says 100 were made). Merckx's configurator starts this groupset at €6,894 (£6,204.60). | Configurator build only ('from' price; other parts are chosen when ordering). The UK store's £6,119.10 is 90% of the euro price, so it isn't recorded. |
| Drivetrain | ||||||
| Groupset | — | Campagnolo Super Record Wireless | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 | SRAM Red AXS | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 | SRAM Force AXS |
| Launched | — | 2023 · current generation | 2021 · current generation | — | 2021 · current generation | — |
| Speeds | — | 13-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Electronic | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes |
| Drivetrain | — | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x |
| Shifters | — | Campagnolo Super Record Wireless | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 ST-R9270 | — | Shimano Ultegra Di2 ST-R8170 | — |
| Crankset | — | Campagnolo Super Record 13 | Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 | SRAM Red AXS Power Meter | Shimano Ultegra | SRAM Force AXS Power Meter |
| Chainrings | — | 52/36 | 52/36 | — | 52/36 | — |
| Crank length | — | 170 (size M) | 170 (size M) | — | 172.5 (size M) | — |
| Notes | — | — | — | — | — | Merckx describes it as a spindle power meter |
| Power meter | — | — | — | SRAM Red AXS Power Meter | — | SRAM Force AXS Power Meter |
| Front derailleur | — | Campagnolo Super Record Wireless | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | — | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | — |
| Rear derailleur | — | Campagnolo Super Record Wireless | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 | — | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | — |
| Cassette | — | Campagnolo Super Record Wireless | Shimano Dura-Ace | — | Shimano Ultegra | — |
| Range | — | 11-32 | 11-30 | — | 11-30 | — |
| Speeds | — | 13-speed | 12-speed | — | 12-speed | — |
| Chain | — | Campagnolo Super Record Wireless | KMC X12 | — | KMC X12 | — |
| Brakes | ||||||
| Rotors | — | — | — | — | Shimano RT-CL800 | — |
| Front rotor | — | — | — | — | 160 mm | — |
| Mount | — | — | — | — | Center Lock | — |
| Wheels & tires | ||||||
| Wheelset | — | Campagnolo Bora WTO 45 | DT Swiss ARC 1400 Dicut 55 | — | Forza Skiron 50 | — |
| Front rim depth | — | 45 mm | 55 mm | — | 50 mm | — |
| Rear rim depth | — | 45 mm | 55 mm | — | 50 mm | — |
| Internal rim width | — | — | — | — | 23 mm | — |
| Material | — | Carbon | Carbon | — | — | — |
| Tubeless ready | — | — | — | — | Yes | — |
| Hubs | — | — | — | — | DT Swiss 370 | — |
| Tires | — | Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR G2.0 | Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR G2.0 | — | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR | — |
| Tire width | — | 30 mm | 30 mm | — | 28 mm | — |
| Set up tubeless | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| Cockpit | ||||||
| Handlebar | Forza Nimbus Pro | Forza Nimbus Pro | Forza Nimbus Pro | — | Forza Nimbus Pro | — |
| Type | One-piece carbon bar and stem | One-piece carbon bar and stem | One-piece carbon bar and stem | — | One-piece carbon bar and stem | — |
| Integrated stem | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| Bar width | 360 mm | 360 mm | 360 mm | — | 360 mm | — |
| Widths available | 360 mm c-c at the shifters, 400 mm c-c in the drops; Merckx offers wider alternatives | 360 mm c-c at the shifters, 400 mm c-c in the drops; Merckx offers wider alternatives | 360 mm c-c at the shifters, 400 mm c-c in the drops; Merckx offers wider alternatives | — | 360 mm c-c at the shifters, 400 mm c-c in the drops; Merckx offers wider alternatives | — |
| Notes | 110 mm stem on the size M spec; stem length by size isn't listed. Stealth Black. | 110 mm stem on the size M spec; stem length by size isn't listed. Stealth Black. | 110 mm stem on the size M spec; stem length by size isn't listed. Stealth Black. | — | 110 mm stem on the size M spec; stem length by size isn't listed. Stealth Black. | — |
| Saddle & seatpost | ||||||
| Saddle | — | Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow 3D | Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow 3D | — | Selle Italia SLR Advan L3 | — |
| Rails | — | Carbon | Carbon | — | Manganese | — |
| Seatpost | Eddy Merckx 525R | Eddy Merckx 525R | Eddy Merckx 525R | — | Eddy Merckx 525R | — |
| Offset / setback | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm | — | 0 mm | — |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | — | Carbon | — |
| Notes | 370 mm aero post with integrated clamp (Deda) | 370 mm aero post with integrated clamp (Deda) | 370 mm aero post with integrated clamp (Deda) | — | 370 mm aero post with integrated clamp (Deda) | — |
525R price & value
Where it's cheapest
MSRPs converted at ECB reference rates of 2026-10-05 (1 EUR = 1.1204 USD = 0.8472 GBP). US prices exclude sales tax, so add your state's rate before comparing.
| Build | Market | MSRP | In EUR | vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 525R Frameset | Europe (EUR, incl. VAT) | €4,499 | €4,499 | cheapest |
| UK (GBP, incl. VAT) | £3,999 | €4,720 | +5% | |
| 525R Campagnolo Super Record 2x13 | Europe (EUR, incl. VAT) | €12,999 | €12,999 | cheapest |
| UK (GBP, incl. VAT) | £11,499 | €13,573 | +4% | |
| 525R Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2x12 | Europe (EUR, incl. VAT) | €10,499 | €10,499 | cheapest |
| UK (GBP, incl. VAT) | £9,499 | €11,212 | +7% | |
| 525R Shimano Ultegra Di2 2x12 | Europe (EUR, incl. VAT) | €6,999 | €6,999 | cheapest |
| UK (GBP, incl. VAT) | £6,299 | €7,435 | +6% |
Building up the 525R Frameset
Included: Handlebar, Seatpost.
Still to buy: Groupset, Crankset, Cassette, Chain, Brake calipers, Wheelset, Tires, Saddle, Pedals.
Real-world weight
Scale weights of the 525R from reviewers, next to Eddy Merckx's claim.
Ownership checklist
1 of 1 known checks pass, 3 not published by Eddy Merckx. Why these checks
- ?
Threaded bottom bracket
- ✓
UDH derailleur hanger
UDH
- ?
Standard 12×142 mm rear axle
- ?
Works with mechanical shifting
525R geometry
| XS | S | M | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 535 mm21.1″ | 550 mm21.7″ | 569 mm22.4″ | 593 mm23.3″ |
| Reach | 377 mm14.8″ | 398 mm15.7″ | 413 mm16.3″ | 437 mm17.2″ |
| Seat tube angle | 74.5° | 75° | 75° | 76° |
| Head tube angle | 73° | 73° | 73° | 73° |
| Head tube length | 125 mm4.9″ | 140 mm5.5″ | 160 mm6.3″ | 185 mm7.3″ |
| Effective top tube | 525 mm20.7″ | 545 mm21.5″ | 565 mm22.2″ | 585 mm23″ |
| Seat tube length | 480 mm18.9″ | 495 mm19.5″ | 515 mm20.3″ | 540 mm21.3″ |
| Chainstay | 407 mm16″ | 407 mm16″ | 407 mm16″ | 407 mm16″ |
| Wheelbase | 964 mm38″ | 990 mm39″ | 1,011 mm39.8″ | 1,043 mm41.1″ |
| BB drop | 75 mm3″ | 75 mm3″ | 75 mm3″ | 75 mm3″ |
| Standover | 698 mm27.5″ | 713 mm28.1″ | 732 mm28.8″ | 756 mm29.8″ |
Side view
Drawn to scale (how to read it).
How the geometry rides
The 525R in size S against the middle size of 65 other bikes: tendencies from geometry, not a ride review (how to read this).
- Wheelbase990 mm39″
shortestlonger than 74% of 65 bikeslongest
- Chainstay407 mm16″
shortestlonger than 19% of 73 bikeslongest
Short chainstays: a compact, responsive rear end.
Good to know
Design
Merckx's R&D team started over rather than evolving the old 525: the 525R uses the aerodynamic down tube developed for Ridley's Noah, a fork concept from the Ridley Falcn RS, and Merckx's signature seat-tube kink.
SourceFit
Merckx's geometry chart also lists an 'A' dimension (770-880 mm, from the bottom bracket towards the saddle) that isn't defined. Merckx also cites the UCI's relaxation of the minimum saddle setback from 5 cm to 0 cm is part of Merckx's case for the steep seat angles.
SourceCompatibility
road.cc's launch story gives 43 mm tyre clearance; Merckx and the other launch reviews say 34 mm. Escape Collective reports that a regular stem and bar can be fitted and that the hoses run under the one-piece cockpit.
SourceHistory
Launched on 17 June 2026. Team Flanders-Baloise had already raced it in the spring, including the Tour of Flanders and In Flanders Fields. The previous 525 stays in Merckx's range alongside it.
SourceVersions
Merckx's configurator also offers SRAM Force XPLR 1x13 with a power meter (from €6,499) and SRAM Red XPLR 1x13 (from €9,199) on this frame.
Source
525R FAQ
Is the Eddy Merckx 525R UCI legal?+
Yes. The Eddy Merckx 525R is UCI legal, so it can be raced in UCI-sanctioned road races.
How much does the Eddy Merckx 525R cost?+
Manufacturer prices (MSRP): €4,499–€12,999 / £3,999–£11,499 across 6 listed builds and framesets: 525R Frameset, 525R Campagnolo Super Record 2x13, 525R Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2x12, 525R SRAM Red AXS 2x12 incl. power meter, 525R Shimano Ultegra Di2 2x12 and 525R SRAM Force AXS 2x12 incl. spindle power meter.
How much does the Eddy Merckx 525R weigh?+
The frame weighs 952 g (33.6 oz) (Size M (Eddy Merckx); finish not stated).
What sizes does the Eddy Merckx 525R come in?+
4 sizes: XS, S, M and L.
What is the tire clearance of the Eddy Merckx 525R?+
Up to 34 mm tires on 700c wheels.
Which groupsets are compatible with the Eddy Merckx 525R?+
Drivetrain compatibility: UDH rear derailleur interface for all current road drivetrains; Merckx builds it with Shimano Di2, SRAM AXS (2x and XPLR 1x) and Campagnolo Super Record Wireless. 1x drivetrains are supported.
What builds of the Eddy Merckx 525R are available?+
525R Campagnolo Super Record 2x13: Campagnolo Super Record Wireless; 525R Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2x12: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200; 525R SRAM Red AXS 2x12 incl. power meter: SRAM Red AXS; 525R Shimano Ultegra Di2 2x12: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100; 525R SRAM Force AXS 2x12 incl. spindle power meter: SRAM Force AXS.
What warranty does the Eddy Merckx 525R frame have?+
Lifetime, transferable, after registration within 30 days of purchase; requires annual servicing at an authorised dealer
Is the Eddy Merckx 525R aerodynamic?+
9% less aerodynamic drag than the previous 525; deep head tube to the UCI limit, a down tube profiled to work with bottles, an asymmetric fork for crosswinds and a diffuser-style fork crown (Position and geometry validated in the Aero Performance Lab wind tunnel; Merckx publishes no drag numbers)
Sources
- https://www.eddymerckx.com/en_BE/bikes/platform/525/525R
- https://www.eddymerckx.com/en_GB/bikes/platform/525/525R
- https://www.eddymerckx.com/en_BE/bikes/FFS52REMC003
- https://www.eddymerckx.com/en_BE/bikes/SBI52REMC010
- https://www.eddymerckx.com/en_BE/bikes/SBI52REMC022
- https://www.eddymerckx.com/en_BE/bikes/SBI52REMC028
- https://www.eddymerckx.com/en_GB/news/article/154194
- https://www.eddymerckx.com/en_GB/news/article/155684
- https://assets.ctfassets.net/761l7gh5x5an/7jA9krKzzy3lRXPzlm4uyn/7982d7114b9d62978cb87876ea476535/58780c70-6247-4448-8384-b145fa30aba9.pdf
- https://road.cc/tech-news/eddy-merckx-launches-525r-road-bike-claiming-geometry-revolution-delivers-speed-gains-without-sacrificing-comfort
- https://escapecollective.com/eddy-merckx-525r-this-jack-of-all-trades-is-a-master-of-performance/
- https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/eddy-merckx-525r-ultegra-di2-review
- https://grinta.be/100-getest-eddy-merckx-525r/
Eddy Merckx 525R data last updated · How the data is checked ·