BMC’s new TeamElite TE01 29 in its early-release dressMatt Pacocha
The TE01 29 combines geometry influenced by BMC’s cross-country racers and TCC technology born on the roadMatt Pacocha
BMC’s integrated chain catcherMatt Pacocha
The launch spec includes a Fizik Tundra 2 saddleMatt Pacocha
The tapered head tube sets the tone for the two distinct halves of the TE01 29Matt Pacocha
During our first outing, the TE01 29 ate up the rolling hills surrounding the Laguna Seca racewayMatt Pacocha
Onza have been resurrected; BMC specified the Canis 2.25in tire on the TE01 29Matt Pacocha
The bottom bracket routing seems to offer smart choices that save weight and maximize performance – we’re referring to the full-length rear derailleur housing versus the open frontMatt Pacocha
Rear tire clearance seems good considering the healthy size of the Onza tireMatt Pacocha
BMC call their work on the bike’s geometry BWC, or Big Wheel ConceptMatt Pacocha
The direct mount front derailleur helps BMC offer relatively short 429mm chainstaysMatt Pacocha
By offsetting the top tube/seatstay interface, BMC ses the stage for their TCC design; the kinks, tube sizes and shapes are all part of the design as wellMatt Pacocha
The kink before the rear dropout allows additional flex and offers a shelf for the rear brake mountsMatt Pacocha
The large down tube is said to keep the frame torsionally stiff from head tube to rear dropoutMatt Pacocha
Short – 90, 100 or 110mm – head tubes help racers achieve their low aggressive positions, and were a specific request of the BMC teamMatt Pacocha
Swiss by designMatt Pacocha
The oversized front end was plenty stiff and offered precision steeringMatt Pacocha
The BMC seatpost plays a role in the TCC conceptMatt Pacocha
The seat tube remains fairly narrow all the way down to the massive BB92 bottom bracketMatt Pacocha
The bottom bracket assembly is tall, wide and offers a seemingly efficient pedaling platformMatt Pacocha
The BMC TCC seatpost is built to offer the same amount of flex with all three offsets: 3, 18 and 30mmMatt Pacocha
The rear brake caliper nestles between the seat- and chainstayMatt Pacocha
Cylindrical nuts offer purchase for the brake caliper’s mounting bolts, not to mention allow for the all-carbon mount, plus they’re easily replaced if stripped or damagedMatt Pacocha
BMC mold the TE01 29 in four pieces and each is assumed to be as clean as this carbon driveside dropout cutawayMatt Pacocha
The all-carbon dropout accepts an alloy derailleur hangerMatt Pacocha
A cutaway of the bottom bracket illustrates how massive the structure is; riveted inserts allow the chain watcher to be bolted directly to the tubeMatt Pacocha
The BB92 press-fit bottom bracket shell is all-carbonMatt Pacocha
The bottom bracket shell is reinforced with some woven fiber, likely to protect from a dropped or jammed chainMatt Pacocha
The head tube accepts a standard, tapered InSet headset as well as an AngleSet should you require a different head tube angleMatt Pacocha
The front derailleur cable routes through the frame behind the bottom bracketMatt Pacocha
BMC know how to make bikes ride like silk. With the 2011 launch of the TeamMachine they introduced their Tuned Compliance Concept (TCC), where a more elastic composite material and layup is used in non-key areas to boost comfort, and this has now proliferated throughout their line. The latest model to benefit from this technology is the new 2013 TeamElite TE01 29.
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This 29in-wheeled cross-country race rocket builds on the design of the GranFondo GF01 classics machine, launched just two weeks ago. It shares key features of that bike, including the offset between the top tube and seat stays, the tubing kinks that are specifically engineered as flex points, the offset dropouts and the TCC zones.
BMC say they’ve focused on three key areas with the new TeamElite: geometry; tube shape, size and layup; and weight. The company targeted sub-1,000g for the TE01 29 and claim the medium frame tips the scale at just 980g.
The end product is a unique, early release 2013 package built with SRAM X0 shifting, Easton EA70 wheels and cockpit, and 2013 FOX Float CTD FIT fork, priced at US$5,499. Our medium size demo bike weighed in at 23.23lb (10.53kg) with our own Shimano XT pedals. BMC say they’ll fulfill all dealer demand for this model with a one-time order, and that additional models and frame-only options won’t be available until the fall trade shows.
BMC’s TE01 feature trifecta: Geometry, compliance and weight
Geometry
BMC spent the first year of the carbon TE01 29’s development working solely in aluminum, and specifically on the bike’s geometry. For much of 2011, Steve Ettinger, a then U23 rider for the BMC deve
