Editor's Note: This article first published in the October 2016 print edition of Bicycling. Subscribe today!
After years of carving the purpose of the road __bike into narrower categories such as aero, endurance, and climbing, brands are swinging back the other way. The current trend: fast and versatile.
The BMC Roadmachine 01 is today’s road bike. Sleek lines with high levels of integration and hidden wires and hoses; electronic shifting and hydraulic disc brakes; some aerodynamic optimization; a carbon frame that’s stiff and light (930 grams, claimed), with features to make it ride more smoothly; clearance for 30mm-wide tires; a head tube that accommodates a range of bar heights; geometry that works in a variety of terrain. This __bike is so general purpose, but high performance, that it’s tough to put into a category. It’s more comfortable, versatile, and stable than a no-compromise race bike, but has a harder edge than a typical endurance road bike.
The Roadmachine feels fast and lively; there is no delay in its actions. You accelerate, it jumps; give the bar a nudge, and it precisely hits the line you want. Sprint your hardest, and it’s unwavering; climb at tempo, and it’s fluid. It’s one of the most compliant and lively disc-brake road bikes I’ve ridden. Although BMC does not consider it a gravel bike, it was smooth and handled beautifully on dirt-road excursions.
As expected, the parts are excellent on this highest-end model—the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes are nearly without flaw—but the line starts at $1,999. The 25mm tire spec, though, makes no sense. This bike should leave the factory with at least 28mm tires.
Take a look inside the BMC brand:
BMC’s take on this trend is still very much race-influenced, while interpretations from other brands have more of an adventure and gravel leaning: even more tire clearance, even more stable. But what the bike gives up in off-pavement capability, it makes up in paved-road sprightliness. It feels right in almost any road situation. It’s a successful blend of comfort, speed, versatility, and features for someone who rides with vigor and enjoys a challenge, but doesn’t have an interest in traditional road racing. The Roadmachine combines bits of aero, endurance, and climbing road bikes, and adds excellent brakes, tire clearance, and a smooth ride. The result is something that’s not exactly new, but is welcome nonetheless.
- Offers a lively ride that quickly turns inputs into action
- Highly versatile and more hard-edged than most endurance road bikes, with stiff carbon frame, electronic shifting, hydraulic disc brakes, clearance for 30mm-wide tires, adjustable head tube, and more
- Not considered a gravel bike, but does well off-road
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