Gear Reviews

Components SRAM Red

Wheels Easton EA70

Sizes 47, 50, 53, 55, 57, 60 cm

MSRP $5,774

There’s no mistaking a BMC road bike. Between its oddly-shaped tubes, the dropped-down seat stays and nearly square seat post, the unique Swiss design is far different from so many other bikes on the market. But it’s that uniquely Swiss design that also makes BMCs solid performers. All of those odd design elements, like the ones on the Race Machine RM01 tested here, are there for a purpose.

One of the remarkable things about the BMC collection is that the Race Machine, which could be a top-level bike for some companies, slots in as the second-tier bike in the 2011 lineup. Sitting above it is the Team Machine, a slightly lighter and more pro team-oriented option. There’s also the Impec, an expensive carbon road bike built entirely by robots using composite, two-sided shells that are squeezed together to form the joints. That project, however, saw some fairly delays in 2011 and will make more of an official debut in 2012.

Though now known as a Swiss brand, BMC was started by an American in 1986 as a company that assembled bikes for Raleigh. When that deal ended in 1995, the company tried to make it as its own brand, but it wasn’t until Andy Rihs took over in 2001 that BMC was finally taken seriously. Today, with one of the top cycling teams in the world and a Tour de France win under Cadel Evans, BMC is a much-sought-after brand.

Because of the balance between value and performance, the Race Machine is one of the most popular BMCs. Though not as high up the ladder as the Team Machine, the RM01 is still a worthy race bike. Its aggressive geometry is aimed at the racing crowd and, with a claimed frame weight of just 1,019 g (55 cm), it’s extremely light. As with the more expensive Team Machine, the Race Machine uses BMC’s rectangular-shaped chain stays and seat stays - the latter of which don’t line up with the top tube like traditional road bikes. Instead, the tall, boxy seat stays are shorter, which save weight, and their shape results in a more comfortable ride. At the junction between the top tube and seat tube, there’s an extra support (creating an extra triangle.) This creates more stiffness in the front triangle and allows the top tube to be thinner.

BMC calls its specific carbon fibre layups Tuned Compliance Concept, which basically means there’s a certain amount of flexibility built into key sections of the frame and fork. In areas where stiffness is most important - such as in the chain stays - the tubes are oversized and completely flex free. But in other areas, such as the seat post and seat stays, a bit of compliance makes the ride more comfortable. The result is a bike that feels powerful up climbs and in sprints, but is still comfortable after hours in the saddle.

The RM01 we tested was built up with the lightweight SRAM Red drivetrain, including a BB30 crankset. The 11-26 cassette is paired to 53-39 chainrings, so if you live in an area with massive hills, the non-compact crankset could be problematic. BMC spec’ed the lower-grade Force brakes, which perform just as well as the Red version, but are slightly (15 g) heavier. Wheels are Easton’s EA70s with Continental Ultra Race tires, which are good all-rounders. For the cockpit, Easton’s EA70 aluminum handlebar and stem are used, and a Selle Italia SL XC saddle sits atop the proprietary carbon fibre seatpost.

Overall, the Race Machine is an agile and nimble road bike. Short of spec’ing the higher-end Red brakes, there wasn’t much to complain about. The $5,774 price tag is a good value for a bike that weighs just 15.4 pounds. There will be no blaming the bike’s weight if you’re not the first one up your local hill climb.

For 2012, the BMC Race Machine frame remains unchanged, while the SRAM Red build will now include TRP brakes, an Easton carbon handlebar and upgraded EA90 SL wheels. Frame graphics have also been updated.