Price 6,499 Euro Weight 14.8 kilos
The carbon frame set of the BMC comes from the Alpenchallenge series, which is built with straight handlebars. BMC has given the road version a carbon racing handlebar, which makes the riding position strikingly stretched for a medium-sized bike. The independent frame integrates the fork and drivetrain elements beautifully. The bottom bracket is fitted with a Shimano E8000 series drivetrain, a unit designed for mountain bikes and capable of delivering brute power when required. With a capacity of 504 watt hours, the battery is comparatively large for an e-road bike. The motor tugs at the chain with up to 70 Nm of torque in "Boost" mode, the highest of three support levels. However, as the full power delivery is heavily dependent on the cadence, it is possible that the sheer power cannot be adequately transferred to the chain due to the heavy gear ratio of 44 teeth on the single chainring and a maximum of 34 teeth on the cassette. At least for heavy riders on steep ramps, the transmission definitely lacks real mountain gears. However, with a moderate level of support, the BMC can be pedalled through hilly terrain with pleasure, and it is not overtaxed by the occasional excursion on unpaved paths. The dynamic trail mode reacts sensitively to varying degrees of pedal pressure. In "Boost" mode, the drive responds to every pedal rotation with maximum thrust: this is not very harmonious and often too abrupt. However, the high performance and the large battery give the BMC the potential for extensive tours with longer climbs.
The sensitive handling despite the high weight is due to the bike's low centre of gravity, while the long wheelbase ensures stoic directional stability at high speeds. 30 millimetre wide Vittoria tyres, comfortably flexing handlebars and seat post, as well as an elastomer buffer inserted between the seat stays and seat tube, absorb bumps in the road very well. However, the compliance of the frame can also have a negative effect when changing direction quickly at high speed, with heavy riders in particular noticing a certain unsteadiness in the handling. Nevertheless, the torsion remains manageable. Nice detail: mudguards can be mounted on concealed frame threads.
INFO AND GEOMETRY
www bmc-switzerland.com
Frame material Carbon
Frame sizes S, M, L
Seat/top tube/head tube 480/585/151 mm
Stack/Reach/STR 591/405 mm/1.46
Wheelbase 1.055mm
EQUIPMENT
Motor/battery capacity Shimano STEPS E8000/504Wh
Gear system (chainrings/cassette) Shimano Dura-Ace (44/11-34T.)
Brakes Shimano Ultegra (180/160 mm)
Wheels/tyres DT Swiss HE 1800 Spline/Vittoria Corsa Graphene 2.0 30mm
MEASURED VALUES AND INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Weight of complete wheel...................14.8 kg 3,0
Reach height*.........................................1.659 hm 1,3
Driving stability.....................................50 N/mm 3,3
Seatpost spring stiffness...............159 N/mm 1,3
TOUR grade: 2.0
