The BMC GranFondo GF01 is built for sportives, and De Ronde van Vlaandere is the grandaddy of them allBen Delaney / Immediate Media
Rain soaked the first few hours of the 2015 RVV Cyclo, and the 28mm Continental Ultra Sport clinchers were appreciated — not to mention the Castelli rain gear!Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The BMC GranFondo GF01 won the Cycling Plus Bike of the Year — and for good reason. It’s an exceptional rideBen Delaney / Immediate Media
Shimano RS685 hydraulic 11-speed shifters add a little girth to the inside of the barsBen Delaney / Immediate Media
Our test bike came with gel bar stickers — which we used and appreciated on the cobbles. The sticker also fills in the gap between the bar and the hydro lineBen Delaney / Immediate Media
The Shimano 105 11-32 cassette aligns in diameter with the RT99-SS 140mm rotorBen Delaney / Immediate Media
One of the (in)famous climbs of De Ronde, the 600m Koppenberg averages nearly 12 percent, kicking to 22 percent in the middle. And wet cobbles are slick as greased metalBen Delaney / Immediate Media
Gravity, gradient and traffic forced most riders to walk the Paterberg, with a maximum grade of 20.3 percent. The BMC’s hyper-low 34/32 gear allowed me (not pictured) to creep up without having to put a foot downBen Delaney / Immediate Media
BMC has some kinky angles in its frames. Compliance is the idea, engineers claimBen Delaney / Immediate Media
Whether due to angles, carbon lay-up, fat Conti clinchers or some combination thereof, the BMC GF01 offers a remarkably plush rideBen Delaney / Immediate Media
I ran the stock Continental Ultra Sport 28mm clinchers at about 78psi front and rear (I weigh 195lbs/88.5kg)Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The seatstay bridge is thin, flat and — with a 28mm clincher — relatively tight against the top treadBen Delaney / Immediate Media
Shimano’s 105-level 11-speed hydro levers, while a touch heavier than the top-end offering, feel great as perches and when shifting and brakingBen Delaney / Immediate Media
Shimano’s compact 50/34 105 crank offers much-needed low gearing for average riders like me when tackling slippery 20-percent gradesBen Delaney / Immediate Media
Lezyne’s Road Drive pump, with its extendable hose hidden inside, is my personal mini pump choice. Since you can’t fly with CO2 cartridges, this is a key bit of gear when travellingBen Delaney / Immediate Media
Older Shimano Ultegra pedals have served me well, despite much abuseBen Delaney / Immediate Media
This is the second Garmin Edge 1000 test unit I’ve had. The first quit connecting to a computer. This one has been reliable. Being able to easily navigate strange backroads is a huge bonusBen Delaney / Immediate Media
Fizik’s Aliante saddle has been my saddle choice for years, especially on rough roads. Like everything here but the pedals and computer, it comes stock on the GR01 105 DiscBen Delaney / Immediate Media
For a cold and soaking Ronde, good clothing was as vital to a good time as the bike. Castelli Nanoflex warmers and Pearl Izumi’s P.R.O. Barrier WxB shoe covers, plus wool socks, kept me warm and happy all dayBen Delaney / Immediate Media
A few other critical pieces of rain kit I highly endorse: a relatively cheap Aeroshell (read: plastic rain cover) for the Lazer Z1, Castelli’s Tempesta jacket with super-breathable eVent fabric, and Capo ISO Neoprene glovesBen Delaney / Immediate Media