One bike for everything?: BMC presents the new Roadmachine

The "all-roadisation" of the marathon bike does not stop at the Roadmachine. From the frame geometry and tyre clearance to the storage compartment for a puncture kit: the new version of the long-distance model picks up on typical features of the still young racing bike genre and blurs the dividing line to the gravel bike. The third generation of the Roadmachine, whose ancestor is the Granfondo presented in 2012, covers a broad spectrum in terms of equipment variants and is intended to be a bike for everything. Contrary to the model name, the BMC not only takes asphalt roads under its tyres, but also feels at home on gravel paths.

Although TOUR was unable to test the new model extensively in the laboratory and in practice before the official launch, the huge tyre clearance alone indicates the direction the Roadmachine is taking. Tyres up to 40 millimetres wide fit through the fork and frame - the tyres on current gravel bikes are not much wider. This means that the BMC is equipped for off-road riding or takes off-road tracks under its tyres straight from the factory. In addition to the classic road versions - Roadmachine 01 and Roadmachine roll on 30-millimetre tyres - the bike manufacturer from Grenchen also offers off-road versions as before. The bikes marked with an X in the model name come with 34 millimetre wide tread tyres as standard. On the predecessor, BMC limited the maximum tyre clearance to 33 millimetres.

Roadmachine: The most important facts

• Weight of complete wheel: 7.2 to 7.8 kilograms (Roadmachine 01, size 54)
• Frame/fork weight: 963/448 grams (size 54)
• Stack/Reach/STR: 595/388 millimetres/1.53 (size 56)
• Maximum tyre clearance: 40 millimetres
• Highlights: Integrated rear light, storage compartment in the down tube
• Frame sizes: 47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
• Prices: 3299 to 12999 Euro

When it comes to the frame geometry, the development department led by chief engineer Stefan Christ has opted for a slightly more relaxed riding position than before: the stack (actual frame height) is almost ten millimetres higher on almost all frame sizes, while the reach (actual frame length) is slightly shorter. As a result, the rider sits more upright, whereby the Roadmachine with an STR ratio of 1.53 (size 56) is still one of the sportier models in the marathon and all-road bike segment. Comparable bikes such as the Canyon Endurace (1.58)Giant Defy (1.57) or Specialised Roubaix (1.56) offer a more upright riding position. The long wheelbase and slightly longer chainstays make for good directional stability, but this effect increases with wider tyres and the handling can become somewhat sluggish for a nominal road bike.

In terms of weight, the top models (Roadmachine 01) benefit from a higher quality carbon fibre in addition to the equipment and, according to the manufacturer, weigh between 7.2 and 7.8 kilograms in frame size 54. The so-called premium carbon frame weighs less than 1000 grams, while the fork weighs just under 450 grams. The basic versions (Roadmachine) weigh over 8.0 kilograms, for the off-road versions (Roadmachine 01 X, Roadmachine X) BMC specifies complete bike weights of between 8.0 and 8.9 kilograms. The so-called AMP models with motor from TQ start at 12.4 kilograms.

The Swiss company, which is no longer represented in the World Tour this season, does not provide any specific details on suspension comfort. However, because BMC also relies on different carbon qualities for the seatpost and only the high-end road bikes have carbon fibre cockpits or handlebars, the Roadmachine 01 should roll a little more smoothly over bumpy roads.

Mounting points for mudguards and a top tube bag have long been standard in the marathon bike segment and also characterise the Roadmachine. The storage compartment integrated into the down tube, on the other hand, is still comparatively rare in this category. A matching LED rear light, which can be attached to the seat post and charged via USB, rounds off the bike's character as an "all-round bike". BMC also offers a small mudguard as an accessory, which can be attached under the saddle like the well-known Ass Saver models.

Small drawback: Not all equipment variants in the somewhat confusing portfolio offer the full range of additional benefits. Fixed mudguards can only be fitted to the Roadmachine and Roadmachine X, and the rear light is only fitted as standard on the Roadmachine 01 and Roadmachine 01 X. There is no space for a storage compartment on the motorised Roadmachine 01 AMP and Roadmachine 01 AMP X due to the integrated battery, and the maximum tyre clearance is also slightly smaller at 38 millimetres.

Equipment and prices

BMC is launching a total of 13 equipment variants in six frame sizes, although the top models will not be available until the beginning of May. Almost all bikes are equipped with Shimano or SRAM drivetrains, only the Roadmachine Five comes with mechanical gears. The beginner-friendly models are fitted with robust aluminium wheels. All other variants come with carbon wheelsets.

With the exception of the top model (Roadmachine 01 Two), the Swiss rely on clamped handlebar-stem combos with partially integrated cables. This keeps maintenance and position adjustment relatively uncomplicated. The off-road machines are characterised by a suspension stem: The co-production of BMC and US component specialist Redshift is said to offer up to 20 millimetres of suspension travel. The system is already used on selected models of the Urs gravel bike and results in a slightly more upright riding position than on designs with conventional stems.

The basic models cost between 3299 and 5699 euros. The 01 variants cost between 7999 and 12999 euros. The motorised bikes cost between 7999 and 8999 euros.

Roadmachine 01

• Equipment variants: Two, Three, Four
• Drive/gear shift (Two): Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-30 t.)
• Drive/Circuit (Three): SRAM Force AXS (2x12; 46/33, 10-36 t.)
• Drive/Circuit (Four): Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
• Impellers (Two): DT Swiss ERC 1100 (Carbon)
• Impellers (Three): BMC CRD 321-SL (Carbon)
• Wheels (Four): BMC CRD 321 (Carbon)
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa N.EXT (30 millimetres)
• Prices: 12999 Euro (Two), 8499 Euro (Three), 7999 Euro (Four)

Roadmachine

• Equipment variants: Two, Four, Five
• Drive/gear shift (Two): Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
• Drive/Circuit (Four): Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
• Drive/Circuit (Five): Shimano 105 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
• Impellers (Two): BMC XRD-522 (aluminium)
• Wheels (Four/Five): Mavic Open Disc (aluminium)
• Tyres: Vittoria Rubino (30 millimetres)
• Prices: 5699 Euro (Two), 4299 Euro (Four), 3299 Euro (Five)

Roadmachine 01 X

• Equipment variant: One
• Drive/gear shift: Force XPLR AXS (1x12; 44, 10-44 t.)
• Impellers: BMC CRD-321 (Carbon)
• Tyres: WTB Byway (34 millimetres)
• Price: 7999 Euro

Roadmachine X

• Equipment variants: Two, Three
• Drive/gear shift (Two): SRAM Rival XPLR AXS (1x12; 44, 10-44 t.)
• Drive/Circuit (Three): SRAM Apex XPLR AXS (1x12; 42, 11-44 t.)
• Impellers: BMC XRD-522 (aluminium)
• Tyres: WTB Byway (34 millimetres)
• Prices: 4999 Euro (Two), 4499 Euro (Three)

Roadmachine 01 AMP

• Equipment variants: One, Two, Three
• Drive/Circuit (One): Rotor eVegast/Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-30 t.)
• Drive/gear shift (Two): Rotor eVegast/Shimano GRX Di2 (2x11; 48/31, 11-34 t.)
• Drive/Circuit (Three): Rotor eVegast/Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-36 t.)
• Motor: TQ-HPR50
• Impellers: BMC CRD-400 SL (Carbon)
• Tyres: Pirelli Cinturato Velo TLR (32 millimetres)
• Prices: 8999 Euro (One), 7999 Euro (Two, Three)

Roadmachine 01 AMP X

• Equipment variant: One
• Drive/gear shift: Rotor eVegast/SRAM Force XPLR AXS (1x12; 44, 10-44 t.)
• Motor: TQ-HPR50
• Impellers: BMC CRD-400 (Carbon)
• Tyres: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H (35 millimetres)
• Price: 8999 Euro