BMC Timemachine 01 Disc

TM01 gains disc brakes and maintains aerodynamics

July 11, 2018 at 8:00 am

BMC’s premier clock-conquering bike, the Timemachine 01, fresh from winning the 2018 Tour de France team time trial under the BMC team, has had a braking and aerodynamic makeover.

The current rim brake Timemachine 01’s development was prioritised for triathlon use, appropriately being launched at Kona in 2016, and the new Timemachine 01 Disc also majors on multisport use, but has lots to offer the road time triallist too.

The rim brake TM01 was designed to be fastest at 0 percent yaw angle, stable in crosswinds, and to efficiently carry hydration, but also to be integrated, with included storage and a rider fit that prioritised aerodynamics, comfort and versatility: Form, Function and Fit.

The V-Cockpit comes as standard with the Timemachine 01 Disc frameset, but a flat cockpit is also available for riders needing a lower front end, or competing in UCI-sanctioned TTs

Robin Wilmott / Immediate Media

The TM01 Disc project’s slogan is ‘Stay Ahead Of Time’, and its development work took BMC back in the wind tunnel to refine the bike’s aerodynamics and braking performance.

“The Timemachine Disc 01 sets new standards in aero engineering,” says Mart Otten, senior road product manager at BMC Switzerland. “This bike addresses rider needs with highly functional design features and technology. The disc brake technology ensures that the rider has unrestricted control on technically demanding routes without compromising aerodynamics.”

BMC Timemachine 01 Disc brake integration

The main challenge was to integrate disc brakes without creating drag and losing the aerodynamic efficiency of the previous bike’s rim brake design, which is completely integrated in to the fork.

Early testing with discs showed lots of turbulence behind the calipers, so BMC created covers for them, which also shield the front brake’s exposed hose.

While the front brake cover shares many similarities with that of the new Timemachine Road 01, the TM01 Disc’s specialisation and limited need for roadside service meant the rear cover’s advantages outweighed any possible wheel removal compromise.

Thru axles ensure perfect disc brake alignment, especially for a bike that may be regularly rebuilt after travel

Robin Wilmott / Immediate Media

As before, and typically for BMC, all hoses, wires or cables are routed completely internally. The rear portion of the hinge fork, which houses the intricate Hidden Brake Booster on the rim brake bike, can now house SRAM Red eTap’s blip box on the TM01 Disc.

A clever fitting allows extra brake hose length to be coiled internally so that the cockpit can be removed and hung to one side of the frame for transport without disconnecting anything.

BMC Timemachine 01 Disc improvements

BMC’s integrated aerodynamics system, SubA, was revised through a partnership with Formula 1’s Sauber Engineering to include integrated caliper covers alongside the use of 3:1 tubes with truncated profiles, crosswind-stable tube shapes, the hinge fork design, maximum integration throughout and minimal frontal area.

DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut disc wheels in 80mm depth

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For each of the frame’s tubes, 16 tube shape variations were created, which were all tested at nine yaw angles and with two rider positions. The result is even more straight-line speed and crosswind stability.

The refined Position-to-Perform (P2P) fit system allows triathletes and time triallists to dial their riding position for maximum physical and aerodynamic performance, regardless of their cockpit preferences.

BMC Timemachine 01 Disc cockpit

Riders needing greater armrest pad heights are best served by BMC’s V-Cockpit, which integrates the pad stacks in to the base bar supports, and is optimised for stacks in the range of 590–705mm.

Completely adjustable and integrated aero V-Cockpit with Profile Design extensions optimises performance for taller pad stacks

Robin Wilmott / Immediate Media

Its inbuilt forward offset creates cantilevered vertical compliance, and therefore more comfort and control for riders maintaining a tuck. Its additional length may mean it falls foul of UCI positional rules, which is where the optional Flat-Cockpit comes in.

Ideal for those with more aggressive positions and lower pad stack heights, ideally in the range of 530–670mm, the ‘flat’ base bar features a slight rise and can be mounted either way up, depending on preferred hand position and riding style. This gives a difference of 80mm in grip height and is the most aerodynamically efficient.

BMC Timemachine 01 Disc seatpost

Fizik’s Mistica stubby saddle is specifically designed for time trial and triathlon use

Robin Wilmott / Immediate Media

As on the TM01, the TM01 Disc is easily convertible between triathlon and road time trial setups. The Dual-Mount Aeropost can be installed in two positions, the forward one is triathlon-specific and allows the rear storage box to be fitted behind it. For road time trials (and UCI compliance) only the rear seatpost mounting position is used, and therefore not the storage box.

Four saddle clamp mounting holes atop the Aeropost allow for 62mm of fore-aft adjustment on the seatpost, which, when combined with the two post mounting positions, gives a total of 120mm fore-aft range, including a small overlap. This gives the TM01 Disc effective seat angles from 71.5 degrees to 80.8 degrees.

BMC Timemachine 01 Disc features

BMC claims that a 54cm (M–S) frame including mech hangers weighs 1,300g, and the fork with its untapered 1 1/8in steerer, excluding the headset compression device, weighs 425g.

In triathlon configuration, the Timemachine 01 Disc’s rear-facing seatpost clamp bolts are tucked between the frame and rear storage box

Robin Wilmott / Immediate Media

As well as the top tube mounted rear storage box, a top tube fuel storage box can be fitted, there’s space for a seat tube bottle cage and the down tube cage can be mounted in high or low positions.

BMC Timemachine 01 Disc options

While the SRAM Red eTap build shown here is likely to be a popular customer choice because of the build simplicity and aero control options, the TM01 Disc will work just as well with Shimano Di2 Disc and Campagnolo’s EPS Disc, when Campy releases some TT brake levers. We weighed the Medium-Short size TM01 Disc shown, with SRAM Red eTap, at 8.87kg.

The V-Cockpit’s forward offset increases compliance, but may fall foul of the UCI’s positional rules

Robin Wilmott / Immediate Media

The TM01 Disc will only be offered as a frameset for the first year, in Stealth finish, and will include the V-Cockpit, extensions, seatpost and rear storage. Each one also comes supplied with five coloured decal sets (white, grey, blue, green, red) so customers can customise their own bike.

There are multiple additional options available to customers at purchase too, such as the flat base bar, alternate extension profiles and all fittings. The four frame sizes will be Small, Medium-Short, Medium-Long, and Large.