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BMC Roadmachine X adds an almost-gravel all-road spec, and it’s rad

bmc roadmachine x all road gravel endurance bike
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The new BMC RoadMachine X combines their endurance road bike platform with wider tires and the latest crop of gravel-specific 1x drivetrains to create an all-road bike that’s surprisingly capable.

What some may find more surprising is that this is merely a new spec option, utilizing the same RoadMachine frame that launched in 2019. Which is a good thing…

frame details on bmc roadmachine x all road bike

The Roadmachine has a 900g endurance race-ready frame that just so happened to be quite capable. All they had to do to fully express this bike’s gravel-curious personality was give it a wide-range 1x drivetrain and spec wider tires.

While it may seem like they’re cramming a bigger tire into an existing frame just to capitalize on the “all road” trend, it’s actually the reverse.

tire clearance on cockpit details on bmc roadmachine x all road endurance gravel bike

When the latest Roadmachine debuted in 2019, they foresaw the 1x movement (and likely had some notion of what SRAM & Shimano were working on) and went ahead and gave the model more tire clearance than what was popular then.

While those seeking a full-on gravel bike will look more to their Urs gravel+ concept, the staunchly traditional roadies might see this as a way to dabble in gravel without betraying their roots.

cockpit details on bmc roadmachine x all road bike
top tube bag mounts add a bit more capability for long rides.

And to be clear, those are good roots. This is the same frame as the current Roadmachine, with only minor tweaks to the fork’s steerer tube (more on that below). So, if you have a current Roadmachine, you could add bigger tires and get basically the same thing…you don’t even have to switch to a 1x drivetrain as the bike is rated for bigger tires even with a front derailleur.

tire clearance example on bmc roadmachine with 32mm tires

The RMX fits up to 700x33mm tires, for that in-between ride where you’re definitely going for a road ride, but might want (or need) to dip onto a gravel road, dirt path, or unkempt backroads to get there. Or to make the route more fun. Or racing something like BWR.

They say this meets safety standards and allows 4mm clearance at every point between tire and frame, but that may depend on the tires you put on there. These are WTB Expanse 700×32 and it’s tight on the non-driveside chainstay.

chainstay and bb details on bmc roadmachine x all road bike

 

The Roadmachine has a slightly longer wheelbase than other endurance/fondo bikes, something they also do with their Teammachine aero race bikes, because they wanted improved stability at speed.

fork and headset details on bmc roadmachine x all road bike

That handling is mainly coming from a slightly slacker head angle, and a bit longer reach, so you keep relatively short chainstays for quick acceleration and planted climbing.

To handle the rougher roads, the frame takes advantage of their TCC design, which uses flattened, dropped seatstays that add a hint of flex and a D-shaped seatpost to lightly suspend the rider.

We’ve taken it for a spin in the Swiss Alps where it was conceived, stay tuned for a one-ride review and more news from BMC!

Roadmachine Models, Pricing & Differences

chainstay and drivetrain details on bmc roadmachine x all road bike

Available immediately for $6,299 / €5,999 will be the Road Machine X ONE, which comes with their own cockpit. That includes their D-shaped carbon seatpost holding a Fizik Argo saddle, with alloy handlebar and the same alloy stem as on the integrated RoadMachine 01, it just doesn’t use the cable capture underneath.

It gets a SRAM Force group with the 10-44 XPLR cassette and a 44-tooth chainring. Wheels are their own CDR321 carbon rimmed set, with an interior width of 21mm and 35mm depth, and they weigh in at about 1509g. They’re fitted with
WTB Expanse 32

head tube details on bmc roadmachine x all road bike

It’s worth noting that the standard Road Machine 01 has an integrated cockpit with their oblong steerer that allows them to tuck the cables and wires under the stem and feed them directly into the frame for a completely clean look. The RMX uses a standard round steerer and non-integrated build… But with wireless AXS groups for the spec, the only thing you’ll see are brake hoses.

Coming in April 2022 will be the Roadmachine X TWO for $4,799 / €4,699 euros. It’ll use the same frame and fork, but lower spec. Details TBA.

Following that in May 2022 will be the Roadmachine X AL. It’s based on their Urs alloy gravel-plus bike, so it’s even more capable with 45mm tire clearance when running a 1x drivetrain. It’ll have a carbon fork, and different geometry than the RMX, but get spec’d with a less aggressive 1x group and possibly thinner tires. More details about it closer to its retail launch, but retail should be $2,099 / €2,299.

BMC-Switzerland.com

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Ron
Ron
3 years ago

The clearance looks tight so maybe 30s are the biggest appropriate fit. This is a move in the right direction though – if this frame could take 35s I’d really be interested! I could see running Ekar on a bike along those lines.

Tomi
Tomi
3 years ago

Funnily I remember having tested that bike back in the days on 28mm and taking a shortcut in a short single track, finding it actually quite capable despite not even having dialed the tire pressure.

But then we used to ride gravel on 22 and 25mm tires so in my opinion any road bike with clearance for 28mm or more is (dry) gravel capable.

Roman
Roman
3 years ago

Put some fender mounts on it for the fast commuter.

Marius
Marius
3 years ago

Whats the exact difference to the standard RM? My 2020 RM01 Four could take 32mm Vittoria Gravels as well…

Chris, RideFar.info
Chris, RideFar.info
3 years ago

On my 2020 RoadMachine, I’ve found ways to mount PDW Full Metal Fenders with 28mm tires for winter use. The lack of proper mounting points means that it is a bit of a bodge – some old quick release skewers put through the middle of the wheel thru-axles is the main secret, which hold the PDW mounting tabs; the upper mounting points are then mostly zip ties. Proper fender mounts would be a nice addition on this bike to make it an ideal winter road bike. In the summer, I often have 32mm slick tires and don’t hesitate to tackle dry gravel sections on it.

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