BMC launch new Roadmachine range
This season looks like it might turn out to be the rebirth of the all-around road bike. After years of specialization, several bike companies are making a move back to the roots of road riding by building bikes capable of delivering all-day riding comfort, yet are still able to compete at the top level of race performance.
BMC calls the new Roadmachine a “One-bike Collection” with the idea that it is truly versatile from all-day riding for fun to pinning on a number and racing. The bike is a return to only needing one bike delivering a smooth ride with integrated tech throughout and even benefits from modern aero trickle down. BMC thinks that the new Roadmachine will reshape the endurance category by adding their race level pedalling efficiency and a retuned frame compliance.
BMC claims that the Roadmachine was designed to be the fastest, most high-performance bike in the new (and rapidly growing) endurance road category. The top premium carbon Roadmachine 1 has a claimed frame weight of 920g (54cm), with a 390g (uncut) fork and a 160g (uncut) D shaped compliant seatpost. The bikes across all specs come in six sizes from 47-61cm. The standard carbon Roadmachine 2 frame fork combo climbs to a claimed 1100g/430g, and the aluminum Roadmachine 3 to a respectable 1270g/420g.
The main ‘aero gains’ come from the new front, a ‘Dual-Stack’ system that allows riders to select either a racier (lower front end similar to the Teammachine) or a comfier set-up (higher front end like that of the Gran Fondo). The reason for this was to avoid a tall headtube and to make it a bike for all types of riders; racers, sportive riders or epic mile munchers, by simply adding the two different sized cones (low or tall) with spacers to get the right stack height for you.
To remain sleek the Roadmachine also has a patented flat-steerer design called the ICFork. It allows the hydraulic cables to run down within the headtube without interference. It also means due to cable routing its incredibly easy to change cables, according to BMC.
Although BMC do not claim huge aero gains (mainly as it is a disc brake bike, known to be less aero than standard setups), they have narrowed the front end to as small as they can, saving for bearings and internals, tucked rear wheel along with added material around the fork.
The bikes use Shimano standard 12mm thru-axles front and rear, and are all disc brake specific, with flat mount compatibility for either 140mm or 160mm rotors. The alloy complete bikes ship with 160mm rotors, while the carbon bikes use 160s up front and a 140mm in the rear. They get tapered 1.125” to 1.5” steerers, PF86 bottom brackets, and braze-on style front derailleur mounts.
Price range:
RM01 DA – 11.251€
RM01 Ult Di2 – 7.415€
RM01 Ult – 5241€
RM01 Frame – 3707€
RM02 Ult Di2 – 5241€
RM02 Ult – 3962€
RM02 105 – 3195€
RM03 105 – 2300€
RM03 Tia – 2108€