With a little more bottom bracket drop than a pure racing bike, the chainstay length is only increased a couple of millimetres to gain stability, while knocking about a degree off the head angle and steepening up the seat angle.
The result? This bike surges forward under power, and puts you in a great position to climb. BMC say it’s the one bike you need, and with Cycling Australia’s new acceptance of disc brakes in competition, they might be right. The bike comes with 28mm tyres as stock, but has clearance for 30mm rubber. That doesn’t quite make this a gravel-specific bike, but the handling could well suit sojourns on dirt roads – the stability is there.
The RM01 was happy spinning up a Swiss pass, or being tipped into a fast, twisty descent – yet remained undeterred by bad road conditions. Exploring some smaller roads around Villars, the precise handling made moving the bike around a joy.
What I really enjoyed was the silent ride. There was no cable rattle, or brake squeal, or disc rub, or chain slap – it was silent. Under load on steep climbs, or over chattery roads on fast descents, the bike was mute.
The ride feel wasn’t too far off that either. The ‘D’ premium carbon seatpost is designed to be compliant, and with the seat stays attaching to the frame so low, there is a lot of ride comfort in the saddle. The surprise is how rigid the bike feels when jumping out of the saddle and putting it under pressure – no doubt aided by the huge integrated stem and massive main tubes.
Fit for purpose
Given the nature of Swiss roads, BMC have clearly used their local terrain for inspiration for the Roadmachine. The high passes and valleys have fantastic road conditions, where the RM01 just sings along with relative ease. But the Swiss mountains are littered with tiny roads that are sealed, gravel and dirt, that reward cyclists open to exploring. And a bike like the BMC Roadmachine doesn’t hold you back.
If I were to take this bike home, I’d throw on some 30mm tyres and just see where it took me. It’s not too tall like some endurance road bikes, nor too long like many adventure bikes. It gives versatility without a big weight or handling penalty, and doesn’t skimp on speed-fast surfaces. The only downside is the entry price, but BMC have RM02 and RM03 options, in a different grade of carbon and aluminium respectively.
RRP: $9,999 (2018 RM01 Three)
From: Advance Traders