Back in May, BMC’s team riders were spotted aboard a prototype long-travel 29er, with comments from many of them saying how much they loved putting longer legs on the front of the existing Fourstroke FS01 to prep it for bigger days.
Now, they’ve given them (and us!) an even bigger bike in the new Trailfox TF01 29er. It packs 150mm of front and rear travel and skips right over the 27.5″ wheel trend. And it’s not just a stretched version of the current 26″ TF01 – there’s tweaked geometry, better body armor and more updated features to plant it squarely within the race-level enduro segment…
UPDATED: TF02 and TF03 alloy models added, spec lists and geometry chart.
The front triangle has a very long, low standover height and short stack height, letting you create an aggressive position and whip it around quickly underneath. Internal cable and hose routing, including stealth dropper posts, use removable protected ports to keep things in place (no rattles) and easy to install.
Integrated frame protection’s at the downtube and chainstay, plus an optional chain catcher and/or chain guide. The replaceable front derailleur mount makes its way from the seat tube to the yoke between the stays, likely to help keep it in line with the chain as it cycles through the travel. Bottom bracket is PFBB90 with integrated ISCG05 tabs.
As with any enduro bike, it’s gotta be able to climb. So, on the carbon versions (word is they’ll have alloy models, too), it’s full carbon, all the way through the dropouts to keep it lightweight. Those will hold a 12×142 axle and either a Shimano direct mount or standard SRAM derailleur hanger. Post mount brakes will have replaceable inserts so you won’t have to worry about stripping permanent threads. They’re designed for 180mm rotors but will take up to 203mm.
The 26″ models’ seat tube hits the lower half right at the bottom bracket. The new 29er’s seat tube comes in a good couple inches forward -an exaggeration of the Fourstroke’s design- about where the big chainring on a double intersects. That spot doubles as the lower linkages’ forward pivot, all of which makes plenty of room for the larger wheels moving through 150mm of travel.
Two top level TF01 packages will be offered, one with XTR and one with XX1, below. The XTR model gets the new DT Swiss XRC 1350 Spline wheels with Continental Mountain King tires, an Easton Haven stem and BMC’s own new carbon handlebar. A Fox 34 TALAS FIT CTD fork and Factory Kashima CTD shock round out the package.
The XX1 Trailcrew model gets an XX1 drivetrain, X0 Trail brakes, upgrades to the Fox Float X shock but the fork loses the TALAS feature, DT Swiss XM 1501 Spline One wheels, and same basic cockpit.
Frame weight is claimed at 2490g with all hardware (Rear shock, frame protections, chain guide, chain catcher, bolts, seat clamp, and rear wheel axle).
The TF02 subs in an alloy rear triangle and drops the spec down a bit. Frame weight creeps to 2980g. Above, the TF02 XT model gets a 2×10 drivetrain, BMC’s new handlebar but in alloy, a Reverb Stealth, Easton Haven stem, DT Swiss M1700 Spline wheels and Continental Mountain King/X-King combo. Suspension is a Fox TALAS Evolution CTD and shock is Float Performance CTD w/ Boost Valve.
The TF02 SLX Trailcrew keeps most of the same spec but with an SLX group and M1900 Spline wheels. Suspension switches to Float X and standard non-TALAS fork.
Lastly, there’s a single all-alloy TF03 model with a claimed frame weight of 3300g with hardware and shock. It’s the only model without a dropper post, but gets an SLX group, DT M1900 Spline wheels, Conti tires, Fox 34 Float fork and Float CTD shock.
