BMC's previous flagship road frameset, the Pro Machine SLC01, has always been lightweight but unfortunately at the cost of stiffness – a reasonable tradeoff for climbers but not the best combination for more all-around riders. The new Team Machine SLR01, however, dramatically increases the rigidity quotient for 2010 but also does it with an even lighter weight, too.
Claimed weight for the SLR01 is just 860g – about 140g lighter than the Pro Machine – yet our brief test ride during Eurobike's demo day showed it to be far snappier under power and with notably more precise handling traits. Save for the newly tapered 1 1/8"-to-1 1/4" front end, tube cross-sections actually haven't increased much over the Pro Machine so the increased stiffness must be attributable to new fibre contents and lay-up schedules.
The compact Tuned Compliance Concept (TCC) rear triangle boasts far thinner seat stays than the Pro Machine, though, which BMC claims delivers a smoother ride than before (hard to tell on the glass-smooth roads of the Eurobike demo area). Likewise, the new dedicated SLR01 all-carbon fork uses a stout crown that quickly tapered in size for more fore-aft compliance.
In addition, the SLR01 will come with a BB30-compatible bottom bracket shell and clean external cable routing should minimize friction and ease maintenance.
The 2010 SL01
The Pro Machine will continue on in the 2010 lineup essentially unchanged but the extra-stout aluminum-and-carbon Race Master SLX01 will get a new all-carbon fork that knocks off nearly 200g from last year's alloy-steerered model. Further down the line, the mid-range Road Racer SL01 gets a new alloy front triangle with a tapered head tube and smooth carbon-look welds, bonded carbon seat stays, plus the aero-profile Angle Lock carbon seatpost borrowed from the SLX01.
2010 will also see a brand-new Fourstroke FS01, a carbon fibre dual-suspension cross-country racer that BMC claims weighs just 1.9kg (4.19lb) including the Fox Racing Shox RP2 rear shock. Styling is strongly tied to the road-going SLR01 with BMC's trademark triangulated seat cluster treatment and squared-off tube profiles. Rear wheel travel is limited to 100mm via BMC's APS dual-link suspension design.
Additional features include molded-in post mount disc brake tabs on the rear triangle (with replaceable threads), a TCC carbon seatpost, a direct-mount front derailleur, and full-length housing for better long-term shifting performance in foul weather conditions.
Marathon riders will get a new 120mm-travel Speedfox SF01 with aluminium front and rear triangles, BMC's APS suspension design, and a claimed weight of 2.5kg (5.51lb) excluding the rear shock.
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