Eddy Merckx bikes produces retro Panasonic tribute bike in time for the Classics

Belgian Cycling Factory, the owner of the Eddy Merckx bicycle brand, is releasing a retro bicycle line to celebrate the return of Eddy Merckx bikes to the market.

The limited edition 'Retrosonic' paint job takes inspiration from the iconic Panasonic cycling team that used Eddy Merckx bikes in the 1980s. The original bikes, in their distinctive blue and white livery, were ridden by legends of the 1980s including Classics specialists Eric Vanderaerden and Eddy Planckaert - both winners of Paris Roubaix and Tour of Flanders.

© Belgian Cycling Factory

The original Eddy Merckx bike

The limited edition bikes are simply specially painted versions of the brand's existing line. The paint option will become available on the Flemish opening weekend, 24 February, in limited supply. Once live, customers will be able to buy any of the brand's four carbon models in the distinctive blue and white.

Included in the limited edition run will be their 525 aero bike, their Mendrisio endurance road bike, their Pévèle all-road bike, and their Strasbourg gravel bike.

© Eddie Merckx

The limited edition colourway will be available on four of the brand's models

This limited edition colourway is in honour of the relaunch of Eddy Merckx bikes, which the Belgian Cycling Factory recently reintroduced to the market after a few years of being unavailable to the public.

Bicycle Retailer and Industry News reports that at the Velofollies trade fare in Belgium, Jochim Aerts, the CEO of Belgian Cycling Factory, said the brand were now here to stay:

"Today is a great day for Eddy Merckx Bikes, and by extension for the Belgian cycling industry. With this new impulse, we want to solidify Eddy Merckx Bikes' place in the top segment of road & gravel bikes and maintain it in the long term.

“The bikes are all designed and assembled in Belgium. We are proud of that. Because we also do the paintwork ourselves, customers can go very far in personalising their bike. Moreover, as a bonus as part of the relaunch, there is no extra charge for this in the coming year.”

In 2024, the Merckx range of bikes is set to expand with a new e-bike and road bike, and the brand will sponsor the UCI ProTour Team Flanders-Baloise, reports Bicycle Retailer.

Team Flanders-Baloise

• Nationality Belgium
• UCI Code TFB