Gear News

BMC launch disc-only Roadmachine ‘all-rounder’

Latest endurance bike from the Swiss firm designed for the rider 'who expects high performance, regardless of terrain'

BMC have launched a new disc-only all-rounder, dubbed the Roadmachine, and aimed at the rider who ‘expects high performance, regardless of terrain’.

Sitting between the Teammachine (BMC’s lightweight racing bike as used by the BMC Racing WorldTour squad) and the sportive-focussed GranFondo, the Roadmachine – the Swiss firm claims – reshapes their take on the endurance category.

The frame is lighter than that of the GranFondo and there’s also a subtle nod to aerodynamics, thanks to a rear wheel which tucks into the seattube, neatly hidden internal cable routing and a smattering of integrated features.

Performance

The range is based around three frames, including two made from carbon fibre – the Roadmachine 01 (claimed frame weight 920g) is built from a higher grade of the black stuff than the Roadmachine 02 ((claimed frame weight 1,100g). The third model in the range, the Roadmachine 03 (claimed frame weight 1,270g), is based around an aluminium frame with a carbon fork. As a reference, the BMC’s flagship TeamMachine SLR01 frame has a claimed weight of 790g, while the Granfondo frame weighs a claimed 1,050g.

The frame borrows tech from other bikes in the BMC stable, including the D-shaped seatpost from the TeamMachine SLR01 and designed to improve comfort, while stiffness has increased over BMC’s previous-generation endurance models thanks to beefed up rear stays, which, incidentally, also follow the lead of the TeamMachine, meeting the seattube well below the seattube-toptube junction.

Stefan Christ, head of product at BMC, claims the Roadmachine offers “a more performance-oriented endurance product than anything before, with increased pedalling efficiency and overall front-to-back stiffness being the major priorities.”

Customisation and integration

Performance is key to the Roadmachine, then, and BMC have developed the ‘Dual-Stack’ front-end on the two carbon models, which BMC say proves an endurance bike doesn’t have to have a higher handlebar position.

The Dual-Stack is a replaceable spacer and cone system, which fits below the stem and allows the rider to choose between a more aggressive, race-oriented stack similar to that of the TeamMachine or a taller position more akin to the GranFondo

An all-new cockpit has also been designed specifically for the Roadmachine, with a ‘Integrated Cockpit System’ (ICS) designed for the Roadmachine 01. The ICS does away with the need for external Di2 cables and hydraulic brake hoses, with everything routed internally “from handlebar to rear axle”.

Both the Roadmachine 01 and 02 feature BMC’s new ‘Integrated Cockpit System’

Meanwhile, the ‘ICFork’ has a patented flat-steerer design, which BMC say ensures the internal cable routing does not come at the cost of being difficult to service, while the ‘ICStem’ is available in five aftermarket sizes (90mm-130mm) to fine-tune the fit.

All three frames, from the 01 to 03, are available in six sizes (47cm to 61cm) and the two carbon frames have clearance for 30mm tyres, while the alloy frame will accept 32mm rubber. The two cheaper frames, the 02 and 03, have hidden mudguard mounts, and the 03 also has hidden rack mounts – upping the versatility.

Flatmount

The Roadmachine is a disc-only frame, with BMC using the flatmount disc standard and 12mm thru-axles at both the front and rear. The Roadmachine 01 and 02 models come with a removable skewer which can be stored in a jersey pocket or saddlebag, a bit like the design used on Canyon’s new Endurace CF SLX, though considering you’ll need it with you regardless, it makes sense to us to just leave it in.

BMC have also developed an adapter which mounts the front caliper directly to the fork leg, to create a seamless aesthetic and allow riders to easily swap between 140mm and 160mm rotors.

Only Shimano builds are being offered, with eight bikes across the three frames – topped by the Dura-Ace-equipped Roadmachine 01, costing £8,799.

Move down the range and the Roadmachine 01 is also available with Ultegra Di2 (£5,799) and Ultegra (£4,099) or frame-only for £2,899.

The Roadmachine range is based around three frames – two carbon and the aluminium Roadmachine 03 pictured here

The RM02 is also available with Ultegra Di2 (£4,099) and Ultegra (£3,099) alongside a Shimano 105 build for £2,499. Finally, the RM03 is offered with 105 for £1,799 or Shimano’s updated Tiagra groupset for £1,649.

Check out all models in the Roadmachine range in the photo gallery below.

Website: BMC