BMC Roadmachine 01 Two review

BMC has revamped its Roadmachine endurance bike, increasing the platform’s compliance and versatility with gravel bike-like 40mm tyre clearance, integrated down tube storage and a frame that’s claimed to be 27 per cent more compliant. 

In testing, I’ve found the bike offers a brilliantly balanced ride quality that impresses in almost all scenarios. 

If the frameset weight were a little lighter to match the exorbitant price tag, it’d be my idea of endurance bike heaven. 

Head to my news story for full details of the new BMC Roadmachine range. 

BMC Roadmachine 01 frame details 

The Roadmachine 01 is unmistakably BMC with its angular top tube, dropped and kinked seatstays, D-shaped seatpost, and integrated cockpit. 

This hallmark design language was something BMC was keen to retain, in addition to increasing compliance while maintaining stiffness.  

The improved compliance is mainly achieved via the redesigned rear triangle. 

The kinked seatstays are reminiscent of those found on the Granfondo GF01, which predated the Roadmachine. 

Viewed side-on, the rear wheel cut-out is much narrower in profile.

BMC was able to adopt this design since the UCI dropped its rule dictating all tubes on the front triangle must have a minimum depth of 25mm.

The redesigned Roadmachine sports clearance for chunky 40mm gravel bike tyres, up from 33mm.

For comparison, the Specialized Roubaix SL8 also has clearance for 40mm tyres, the Trek Domane SLR, 38mm, and the Pinarello Dogma X and Canyon Endurace 35mm. 

Strategic sculpting around the seatstay junction and fork crown, and skinnier fork legs enable this increase in tyre clearance.

According to BMC, sticking with a BB86 press-fit bottom bracket was also a key factor because it enables a wider bottom bracket area than a threaded shell.

The Roadmachine 01 uses the Swiss brand’s flagship carbon fibre construction. The frame is claimed to weigh 963g in a size 54cm with the lightest paint finish and without hardware.

BMC claims the fork comes in at 448g (steerer tube uncut). 

These statistics represent an increase over the outgoing Roadmachine, which weighed 895g for the frame and 480g for the fork.

Stefan Christ, head of R&D at BMC, says most of the weight increase is due to the addition of down tube storage.

Alongside the Trek Domane SLR, the new BMC Roadmachine is one of few road bikes to feature down tube storage.

A modified Aerocore aero bottle cage houses the switch to access the down tube cavity. 

Turning the switch opens the hatch, revealing a tools and spares pouch inside.

I could store a road inner tube, tyre lever and multi-tool in the pouch. Howver, it couldn't accomodate a gravel-sized butyl inner tube and a mini-pump won’t fit. 

The same 179g D-shaped seatpost is retained from the outgoing model. The seat clamp is located under the top tube. Unlike many other bikes, there’s plenty of clearance for most 5mm hex keys or torque sockets to fit.

Like many competitors, the Roadmachine 01 features a fully integrated front end. BMC’s ICS cockpit system features a fork with flat faces. The hydraulic hoses run alongside this and into the upper headset bearing.

While I’m not the biggest fan of integration, BMC's ICS system looks clean and is one of the easier systems to work on.

There are jigsaw-style spacers to adjust the handlebar height. BMC reckons you can adjust height by one spacer or change stem length by around 10mm without having to cut the hose. 

Christ says you can stuff up to another 30mm of hose in the handlebar, without any rattling, so you don’t have to cut it every time.

Second-tier Roadmachine framesets have dedicated mudguard mounts, but this 01 variant doesn’t.

BMC says clip-on mudguards are compatible, though, and the tubes are designed for the extra stress these impart on the frame.

An integrated 20-lumen StVZO-compliant rear light slides behind the seatpost into its separate channel. This has a reassuringly snug fit. 

BMC Roadmachine 01 geometry

Compared to its predecessor, the new Roadmachine has a shorter 415mm rear centre, paired with a higher stacker and shorter reach. A size 56cm bike has 9mm higher stack and 2mm shorter reach than the old model.  

Despite the significant increase in tyre clearance, the overall wheelbase has only grown by 1 to 3mm, depending on the size. 

All sizes have a trail figure of 63mm, so they should share the same riding characteristics. That said, the 72.2 degree head tube angle is slackened to 71.4 degrees on the two smallest sizes to prevent toe overlap. 

I tested a size 56cm – the recommended size for my 5ft 11in / 180cm height. 

BMC Roadmachine 01 Two build

The Roadmachine 01 Two features about as lavish a build as you could hope for.

For the fearsome asking price, you get a full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 groupset. BMC specs a 52/36t crankset and a curiously tight 11-30t cassette. 

A 4iiii Precision 3 Pro dual-sided power meter is also included. 

DT Swiss is on wheel duties with the ERC 1100 Dicut wheels. The endurance-flavoured hoops are 45mm deep and feature a reasonably wide 22mm internal rim width. 

They’re shod with 30mm Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR tyres. Mounted, these bulged out to 31.37mm according to my digital calipers.

This build includes BMC’s new ICS Carbon Evo cockpit. This features reshaped drops and a more ergonomic shape along the tops to reduce hand fatigue.

• Drop: 135mm
• Reach: 65mm
• Flare: 8 degrees
• Width (tops): 40cm
• Width (drops): 44cm

There’s just the one width option for now, but consumers can choose from 70 to 120mm stem lengths in 10mm increments.

BMC says more options will be available soon, and that it’s up to the dealer if they’re happy to swap the stock bar for a different size at the point of purchase. 

Rounding off the build is a 150mm wide Fizik Argo Tempo R1 saddle with carbon rails.

Being picky, the build would benefit from premium headset bearings. Something like CeramicSpeed’s self-lubricating corrosion-resistant bearings SLT bearings, which backed by a lifetime warranty, would put my mind at ease.

BMC Roadmachine 01 Two performance 

My test rides covered a wide mixture of road surfaces, with plenty of elevation to test the bike's climbing and descending ability.

The Roadmachine feels familiar – it's distinctly BMC-like, with an efficient but beautifully balanced ride quality. 

This isn’t something I’d have said about the original Roadmachine, which had an overly firm ride quality that left me cold.

For a bike that relies on frame flex and wide tyres to provide comfort, it’s impressively compliant without feeling completely disconnected from the road. 

The feel of the front end matches its comfort. I'd confidently say the new Roadmachine is the most compliant endurance bike I have ever ridden. 

The dainty front end glides over divots or speed bumps. My legs said otherwise, but my upper body didn't feel beaten from vibrations after my longest 115km ride with 1,750m of elevation.

This level of compliance is particularly commendable given BMC specs 30mm-wide tyres. 

The Roadmachine isn’t the most urgent of climbers, but it’s a comfortable platform to winch your way to the summit and it’ll more than reward your effort when putting in more power. 

The nearest comparison I can draw is the Scott Addict. This features a steeper (albeit only by 0.8 degrees) 73-degree head angle paired with a longer 1,015.4mm wheelbase and rides similarly.

Tip the Roadmachine 01 down the other side and it’s brilliantly composed. It descends with impeccable precision and confidently carves around corners.

On one memorably straight, but not overly steep descent, the bike was unflustered at speeds in excess of 40mph / 62kmph. 

Part of the bike’s secret sauce is the new ICS Carbon Evo cockpit. This goes straight to the top of my list as my favourite integrated cockpit I’ve tested to date. 

I’m not typically a fan of one-piece cockpits because they almost always compromise fit in some way. However, I’ll make a rare exception for the ICS Carbon Evo.

I loved the eight-degree flare and shallow transition to the drops, which is sublime when descending. 

Its construction is instrumental in soaking up road buzz.

I loved the slightly ovular shaping of the tops, which I could effortlessly curl my hands around. If it weren’t for the steep $699 / €699 asking price, it’s something I would consider buying for my Teammachine SLR01.

This bike represented my first longer-term experience with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200. There’s little, if anything, to fault. 

Shimano's front shifting leads the pack and the rear is equally precise. I’ve been sniffy on Shimano brakes in the past, but these didn’t cause me any grief.  

If you’re considering taking this bike off-road – a possibility given the 40mm tyre clearance – I’d consider swapping the rear 140mm disc brake rotor for a 160mm version. 

Life doesn’t get much better than the DT Swiss ERC 1100 Dicut wheels.

The silky smooth SINC ceramic bearings are fitted to the cream-of-the-crop 180 hubs.

Speaking from experience, they’re reliable, easy to work on should they ever need maintenance, and spares are simple to source.

The internal spoke nipples mean wheel truing is more involved as the rim tape will need replacing every time. But from experience, it’ll be years before you need to worry. 

This was my first experience with Vittoria’s Corsa N.EXT TLR tyres. They are a suitable match to the Roadmachine, with a supple ride quality and a hardier construction than the Corsa Pro’s, which I find cut up very easily. I settled on running them at 62psi in the front and 65psi out back for my 74kg weight. 

A swap to 32mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR tyres would be my pick of the bunch once these wear out.

The only other component I’d swap would be the Fizik Argo Tempo R1 saddle, which just wasn’t for me – but saddles are a personal choice. 

The Roadmachine's only real fault is its weight.

While BMC rightfully points out compliance and stiffness trump weight for this style of bike, the 7.46kg actual weight isn’t an especially inspiring statistic considering the steep price. 

And you have to remember, that figure is for the crème-de-la-crème bike.

I’d be interested to see how much of this bike’s wonderful ride quality is retained on the second-tier Roadmachine, which is what most of us will fork out for. It’s likely not going to be graceful on the scales. 

What about gravel? 

At the media camp, I had the opportunity to have a first ride on the BMC Roadmachine 01 X One gravel bike. 

This uses an identical frameset to the Roadmachine 01 Two, but the build differs with a SRAM Force AXS XPLR groupset, 34mm WTB Byway tyres and an own-brand CRD-321 carbon wheelset. It retails for €7,999 / $7,999. 

The undulating test route consisted of rough rock sections bookended by flat gravel. 

I felt underbiked on the 34mm tyres. Wider 38mm rubber would significantly improve comfort and control. 

I also didn’t think the geometry fully translates to gravel riding – it’s very rare for any bike to perform double-duty across road and gravel riding perfectly.

A slightly higher bottom bracket height would give the bike a greater sense of urgency. 

Despite the bike being specced with an ICS MTT suspension stem, which provides up to 20mm of tunable suspension via an elastomer setup, the front end feels a bit harsh.

Incorrect gravel bike tyre pressures can be taken out of the equation – I’m familiar with the WTB Byway’s, having tested them on the Marin Headlands, and felt the 36psi front / 38psi rear was spot-on. 

While the Roadmachine 01 can perform double duty, gravel isn’t its natural habitat. If you have the cash, a dedicated gravel bike with a more generous tyre clearance would be the way to go. 

But if you only have room for the one bike and want to join your local gravel gang, the Roadmachine 01 X – or if you have the road version and fancy gravel diversions with a swap of tyres – will handle most of what’s thrown at you. 

BMC Roadmachine 01 Two bottom line

BMC has nailed the ride quality with the flagship Roadmachine 01 Two. The 40mm tyre clearance, down tube storage and inspired geometry make for a bike at the cutting edge of the endurance genre.

If I had room in my stable, I’d certainly like to add this bike to my collection, but the top-end pricing proves a stumbling block for my salary – as it would for most of us. 

If you’re looking for a money-no-object endurance bike and you’re happy to concede on the weight, the Roadmachine 01 Two should be at the top of your shopping list. 

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