Versatile, Sleek, and Durable - The 2017 BMC Road Machine Has It All!
Today we are reviewing the 2017 BMC Road Machine 02. BMC
envisioned this bike as the perfect combination between the racing performance
of the Teammachine and the comfort and durability of the endurance style Granfondo.
BMC tagged the Road Machine as “the one bike collection,” drawing a stiff,
responsive ride with a lightweight frame from the Teammachine while providing
an endurance driven, compliant build from the Granfondo. This bike was
envisioned from the beginning as a machine built with disc brakes, and it
achieved its goal. The Road Machine was named Cycling Weekly’s “Aero Bike of
the Year 2017” and truly provides high versatility and compatibility for
different riding styles.
Frame
The mid-grade 02 model uses a carbon frame built with a
geometry to accommodate endurance style riding. Its power transfer parts –
headtube, chainstays, and downtube – are built oversized and stiff, while the
seatstays, seatube, and fork have been designed for a comfortable ride, this
means that rougher roads can be smoothed over without compensating too much
speed. The seattube specifically has been built for comfort. The junction sits
roughly a third of the way down the frame, much lower than most bikes. This
Angle Compliance Shaping allows for a lot of flex for comfort while still
maintaining rear end responsiveness. Additionally, the d-shaped seatpost
provides even more comfort in your ride.
This bike comes equipped with a carbon fork. The fork has a
tapered tube shape that add to already great aerodynamics on the rest of the
build. The headtube and steerer tube have been built with some extra thickness
for added stiffness in the ride. With a long fork steerer and two sets of
headset spacers, you can opt for a race style or more relaxed set-up depending
on your preference or situation. Additionally, the fork has been designed with
plenty of extra clearance for an increased tire width up to 30 mm.
The weight comes in at just over 18 pounds. Although this
might seem a little heavy for a road bike, when you consider the added level of
comfort compared to race style bikes and the extra material added to the frame
for better aerodynamics and stiffness, it is relatively light. For context, the
weight is comparable to lower level models of both the Gran Fondo and
Teammachine.
Specs
The Road Machine features an Ultegra 11 speed drivetrain
that is ideal for an all around bike like this one. Additionally, it is
outfitted with Shimano 105 gears, Shimano RS505 hydraulic disk breaks, and
Novatec 30SL wheels. BMC does not sacrifice when it comes to the equipment on
their bikes, and we’re sure glad they don’t.Ride and Feel
The racing features of the Road Machine offer a precision
ride for the most technical routes. Quick, responsive steering makes it an
ideal choice for sharp turns and is great on descents and for cornering.
Because of its build specialized for disc brakes, it is very smooth on hard
braking. One thing to keep in mind is that BMC is a biking company that loves
to race and they are very good at building bikes for just that. Because of
this, the Road Machine can have a hard ride like any other race bike by BMC,
but the endurance influence still provides a comfortability that is hardly found
on a normal race bike.
It comes standard with 25mm Continental Gran Sport Race
tires. Leaving these tires on will add to the precision ride, but will take
away from the comfort level the build can provide. Luckily, because of the
extra clearance in the fork, a move to 30mm tires will flip the switch, taking
away some from the responsiveness but adding a level of comfort.
Price
The price tag comes in at around $2,900 USD. This might seem
a little pricy, especially when compared to previous years. When stacked
against the competition, other bikes might have slightly better equipment, but
the Road Machine offers versatility and build quality that makes them pale in
comparison.
Conclusion
The BMC Road Machine is a great option for everyone from serious
cyclists looking for a precision machine to someone wanting a comfortable, high
performance commuter as a substitute to other means of transportation. High
versatility and build quality highlight this beautiful bike’s characteristics.
With the right care and maintenance, this bike can last a lifetime. It comes in
a variety of colors to suit anyone’s cosmetic needs.
If you’re interested in making this bike yours or any other
bikes in our inventory, come by the shop today and let us help you out!
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