The Eddy Merckx Corsa line of bikes is due for a major update in 2026. It will see the brand continue making high-end steel and aluminium<\/a> bikes, although this Corsa gravel prototype shows it is expanding into titanium. That\u2019s a great choice for gravel bikes<\/a>, thanks to titanium\u2019s strength-to-weight ratio and longevity.<\/p>\n Titanium for the win Titanium has been a proven material at the highest level, with Lotto riding titanium GT Edge bikes in 1999 and Robbie McEwen taking the green jersey in 2002 aboard a titanium Litespeed.<\/p>\n However, it was perhaps Magnus B\u00e4ckstedt\u2019s 2004 win at Paris-Roubaix<\/a> aboard a custom titanium Bianchi that signalled a heyday for this wonder metal.<\/p>\n Merckx claims the new prototype gravel bike combines the durability, corrosion and fatigue resistance of titanium with a “refined blend of vintage allure and contemporary flair”. This titanium prototype has a tyre clearance of 47mm. It also features a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger<\/a> and internal cable routing<\/a>. <\/p>\n I love the look of the prototype, although I\u2019d like to see the tyre clearance pushed out beyond 50mm to take advantage of the new wave of larger tyres for gravel<\/a>.<\/p>\n Columbus Hyperion is not your average titanium The Corsa prototype is made using tubing from Italian specialist Columbus. The Hyperion titanium tubing, which launched in 2024, is a 3Al-2.5v grade 9 material that\u2019s cold drawn into butted tubing. <\/p>\n Columbus claims the process and material used for its tubes leads to a strength of 200[kNm]\/kg. When compared to standard titanium tubing, which is rated to 156[kNm]\/kg, it means a 22% increase in ultimate tensile strength (UTS).<\/p>\n Compared to aluminium, it\u2019s a 40% increase, and 15-20% lighter than Columbus\u2019 high-grade steel tubing, with a density 40% lower than traditional steel, which should mean a more compliant frame over rough terrain, making it a great choice for gravel.<\/p>\n Hyperion is the lightest titanium tubeset Columbus has ever produced.<\/p>\n Custom build The bike put together for Vanderstorme certainly has some very personal touches. <\/p>\n The drivetrain sees the latest wireless Shimano XT rear derailleur<\/a> matched to a Dura-Ace crankset running a single Wolf Tooth 50-tooth chainring. <\/p>\n Wolf Tooth also provides plenty of matching blue anodised parts, with the headset, seat collar, bolts and thru-axles all coordinated. <\/p>\n FFWD provides the latest version of its gravel-specific Drift wheelset<\/a>, and these are wrapped with Vittoria\u2019s Terreno tyres here in Dry<\/a> spec, although that could change, of course, if the weather takes a turn for the worse this weekend.<\/p>\n Titanium is coming<\/p>\n Eddy Merckx has announced that new bikes made from titanium are coming next year and I can\u2019t wait to see what it has in store with these new models. <\/p>\n
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The legendary Eddy Merckx brand is moving into titanium for 2026. Belgain Cycling Factory<\/p>\n
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This titanium prototype uses Columbus Hyperion titanium tubing. Belgain Cycling Factory<\/p>\n
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The Kinesis Tripster ATR is an excellent all-road\/gravel bike. Kai Eves \/ Ourmedia<\/p>\n