BMC Roadmachine RM02 105 vs. Focus Paralane 105

In the search for the very best road bike of 2017, Cycling Plus and BikeRadar gathered numerous arch rivals and pitched them against each other.

• BikeRadar’s Bike of the Year 2017 awards – this year’s categories revealed
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This video, the first from the series, sees BMC’s Roadmachine RM02 105 placed head-to-head with the Focus’ Paralane Carbon 105. Both bikes were born versatile, with compliant carbon frames, fat tyres, disc brakes and retail prices within 5 percent of one another. But which one comes out on top? Hit play on the video above to find out.

Stay tuned to BikeRadar for further video head-to-heads; we’ve still got rim and disc brake road bikes, ultra-comfortable bikes and value-based categories to cover, as well as announcing the 2017 BikeRadar Road Bike of the Year.

BMC Roadmachine RM02 105

• Price: £2,499 / €2,999 / $2,999
• Weight: 8.83kg (58cm)
• Frame: Carbon
• Fork: Carbon
• Wheels: Novatec 30SL
• Drivetrain: Shimano 105 50/34, 11-32t
• Brakes: Shimano RS505 hydraulic discs, 160mm rotors
• Saddle: Fizik Aliante Gamma
• Tyres: Continental Grand Sport Race 25mm tyres
• Finishing kit: BMC bar, stem and carbon seatpost, CPX carbon seatpost, Paralane mudguards

Focus Paralane 105

• Price: £2,399 / €2,999 / $3,000
• Weight: 8.35kg (XL/58cm)
• Frame: Carbon
• Fork: Carbon
• Wheels: Fulcrum CEX 7.0 DB
• Drivetrain: Shimano 105 50/34, 11-32t
• Brakes: Shimano RS505 hydraulic discs, 160mm rotors
• Saddle: Fizik Aliante R5 
• Tyres: Schwalbe One 25mm
• Finishing kit: Concept EX bar and stem, CPX carbon seatpost, Paralane mudguards