All-road bikes in a test duel: BMC Roadmachine X vs. Cervélo Caledonia-5

The road bike family has never been bigger, and the range of offspring is becoming ever more colourful. Manufacturers now offer the public almost a dozen different types, from fast specialists for racing against the clock to off-road bikes that are almost reminiscent of mountain bikes (see big road bike buying guide). The new big thing is all-road bikes. For almost two years, they have been romping around in the niche - whether there is one at all is up for debate - between long-distance marathon bikes and all-terrain gravel bikes. Literally with the claim to be able to take all road surfaces under the tyres. With these supposed all-rounders, riders should no longer have to ask themselves the question of the area of use. The two new tyres in our test duel also aim to master the difficult balancing act between tarmac and gravel roads. The salt in the soup: BMC and Cervélo, both of which target a public that does not want to limit itself to smooth roads with generous tyre clearance, interpret this claim in very different ways.

Extreme interpretations

The name of the Swiss bike manufacturer's Roadmachine does not initially suggest that it is also equipped for off-road use. However, on the one hand, BMC marks the new model with an X, which implies a certain off-road capability based on the customs of cars or motorbikes. On the other hand, the frameset incorporates typical features of an all-road bike. Cervélo chooses a more subtle approach with the Caledonia-5 and dispenses with comparable labelling in the model name. In general, the aerodynamically optimised frameset gives the impression of a competition racer. Nevertheless, the Canadians are also moving the second expansion stage of their Endurance model towards off-road. In fact, two modern all-road bikes roll into the TOUR editorial office, which reveal the different approaches of their designers on test benches and during test rides. The Roadmachine 01 X One is a derivative of the marathon bike of almost the same name, which the Grenchen-based brand updated last year. However, apart from the geometry and carbon quality, the two versions have little in common. Rather, the "gravel-road hybrid", as BMC describes the new bike, is designed to be emphatically comfortable. The handlebars are enthroned high above the front wheel and place the rider in an upright riding position, as is usually the case with real gravel bikes. In addition to the long head tube, an upward-pointing aluminium suspension stem, which BMC once introduced on the adventure gravel bike called Urs, is also responsible for this. The system, which was developed together with component specialist Redshift, absorbs shocks by means of two integrated elastomers that can be adjusted to the rider's weight.

BMC Roadmachine: Equipped for everything

There are a total of five degrees of firmness. The design ennobles the Roadmachine as one of the few bikes with curved handlebars that smooths out bumps at the front better than at the rear. Just under 18 millimetres of suspension travel is around three times as much as a road bike with a conventional carbon cockpit. This means that the Cervélo can't compete with the BMC in this category either, with vibrations being transmitted more directly to the handlebars. Overall, however, the Caledonia-5 is not uncomfortable to ride, as it benefits enormously from the tubeless tyres. The nominally 30 millimetre wide Vittoria slick tyres are tight for an all-road bike at first glance; comparable models roll on at least 32 mm tyres. However, the combination with voluminous carbon rims from Reserve means that the tyres are a full three millimetres wider and reach the standard size of a cyclocross bike. The Roadmachine X has even more generous tyres, with the all-terrain lug profile of the WTB tyres also attracting attention. The Swiss thus soften the dividing line to the gravel bike and shift the territory of the novelty to unpaved paths. As the frame and fork even leave room for 40 millimetre wide tyres, the Roadmachine X is finally poaching in the territory of special gravel and off-road bikes. In a direct ride comparison over mixed terrain, both models emphasise their contrasting characteristics.

Competitive alignment of the Cervélo Caledonia-5

Although the Cervélo takes levelled dirt roads without grumbling under its tyres, the BMC is smoother over hill and dale. On tarmac, on the other hand, the Canadian interpretation of an all-road bike shows its strengths in that it has a sportier design and is more direct on the throttle thanks to the weight advantage of around 520 grams. The more direct steering behaviour and a more stretched, more race-oriented riding position suit the competitive orientation of the Caledonia-5. On tarmac, the suspension stem on the Roadmachine leaves at least a somewhat ambivalent impression. You may not have to or want to win races on the BMC, but the cockpit does give way noticeably when pedalling with a lot of weight on the handlebars. This means that the horsepower cannot be transferred to the road quite as smoothly as with the Cervélo, which is the more consistent athlete in comparison.

Gearbox for off-road

Both bikes also make it clear which terrain they feel most comfortable on when it comes to shifting gears. The BMC offers slightly more reserves for steep climbs, even on loose ground, with a 1x12 drivetrain from SRAM that is suitable for off-road riding. Shimano's Ultegra road bike groupset on the Cervélo, on the other hand, is more finely graduated with two chainrings and offers sufficiently large gears for fast asphalt chases. A power meter is standard on both candidates. The Ultegra disc brake requires less manual force and decelerates more precisely than the somewhat outdated Force version. However, an update of the US brand's mid-range group is in the starting blocks and should be presented in the summer. Initial images online suggest that the new version is likely to benefit technically from the already revised top version (see TOUR 7/2024).

BMC vs. Cervélo: Who has the better overall package?

To summarise, the Roadmachine 01 X One and the Caledonia-5 are two opposing bikes in the field of all-road bikes. The Canadian bike fulfils the requirements of a versatile road bike suitable for everyday use better, as it can switch between surfaces more easily. In terms of additional benefits, the Cervélo also has a slight advantage in that, unlike the BMC, it can accommodate fixed mudguards and would therefore be equipped for riding in the rain. The Roadmachine can only be retrofitted with a mudguard on the seat post. On the other hand, it scores points with a partially integrated, StVZO-approved LED rear light.

A "boot" in the down tube for a puncture repair kit characterises both bikes. Additional luggage, albeit in small form, can be stowed in a screw-on top tube bag on the BMC. It is worth taking a look at the Swiss manufacturer's versions without an X in the model name. Because even the conventional Roadmachine offers more than enough scope to set up the bike for road and off-road use thanks to the huge tyre clearance.

The choice is huge, with a total of nine equipment variants available. The top versions, labelled 01, are based on a lighter frameset. Without the suspension stem, which is only fitted to the hybrid models, the riding position is more like a marathon bike. BMC also offers four models with motorised assistance.

The portfolio at Cervélo, which is bringing five versions of the Caledonia-5 to the road, is somewhat clearer. The frameset of the new platform is more modern and lighter than the normal Caledonia (see TOUR 3/2025). However, the integrated cables increase the maintenance effort, even compared to the BMC. The two test bikes cost exactly the same at 7999 euros. At BMC, the price ranges from 3199 to 13,999 euros. At Cervélo, the basic model of the Caledonia-5 starts at 5999 euros, the top version costs 12,999 euros.

Technical data

BMC Roadmachine 01 X One

• Price: 7999 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 8.4 kilos
• Frame sizes: 47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 515/560/181 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 603/384 millimetres/1.57
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 684/570 millimetres/1.20
• Wheelbase/caster: 1010/62 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Sram Force XPLR AXS (1x12; 44, 10-44 t.) | Note: 2,0
• Brakes: Sram Force (160/160 mm) | Note: 1,5
• Tyres: WTB ByWay 34 mm (eff.: 35 mm) | Grade: 2.0
• Impellers: CRD-321 Carbon
• Impeller weights: 1351/1913 grams (v./h.)

Measured values

• Weight of complete wheel: 8,400 grammes | Note: 3,7
• Driving stability: 8.2 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
• Rear comfort: 128 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
• Comfort front: 24 N/mm | Note: 1,0
• Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 54 N/mm | Grade: 2.0

Overall grade: 2.2

+ Excellent front comfort, very smooth running, huge tyre clearance
- Comparatively heavy, relatively expensive

Cervélo Caledonia-5

• Price: 7999 Euro >> available here
• Weight of complete wheel: 7.9 kilos
• Frame sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 516/565/163 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 588/384 millimetres/1.53
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 638/576 millimetres/1.11
• Wheelbase/caster: 1015/58 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.) | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.) Grade: 1.0
• Brakes: Shimano Ultegra (160/160 mm) | Note: 1,0
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa N.EXT 30 mm (eff.: 33 mm) | Grade: 1.0
• Impellers: Reserve 42/49 Turbulent Aero
• Impeller weights: 1165/1705 grams (v./h.)

Measured values

• Weight of complete wheel: 7880 grammes | Grade: 3.0
• Driving stability: 8.6 N/mm | Note: 1,3
• Rear comfort: 137 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
• Comfort front: 99 N/mm | Note: 2,7
• Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 59 N/mm | Grade: 1.3

Overall grade: 2.0

+ Agile, powerful, fast and comfortable tyres
- Relatively expensive