BMC Racing is set to release two new bikes in April, a “Spring Classics Project” road bike and a top level, lightweight carbon fiber 29er full suspension hardtail mountain bike.
The SCP is likely (as in we aren’t getting a hard confirmation but in other words yes) what we’re seeing here in black, captured just in front of a custom painted Team Machine SLR01. The key visual differences are a thicker head- and downtube and perhaps thinner stays. Given the timing of this bike’s race debut at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and other early season Belgian classics, the intent of the bike is clear: performance with comfort. The headtube looks taller on the new model, which is a common trend among manufacturers when designing bikes for longer distances and/or rougher pavement, but it’s also quite obvious the rider is taller. That said, there’s a noticeably sloping top tube compared to the flat one on the background bike.
Philippe Gilbert was riding a custom painted matte black with Belgium flag themed Team Machine SLR01.
Following the smaller classics, Thor Hushovd logged about 200km on the prototype frame in preparation for the Paris-Roubaix. We dahnce now:
He’s also rockin’ Easton wheels and Continental tires and supposedly aboard the rumored Shimano 9000 Dura-Ace group. Back to the classics:
Around the same time they’ll officially unveil this new road bike, BMC is scheduled to show off a new 29er full suspension hardtail race bike. We saw their new 29er hardtails at Eurobike and some new trail bikes at Sea Otter last year. Now, they’re bringing out the Team Elite TE01 29. If you follow their model branding nomenclature, that’ll put it at the top of the list for big wheels.
