We spotted the new BMC TMR01 (Time Machine Road) yesterday and didn’t realize just what we were looking at. It’s a new aero road bike from BMC that won’t get it’s official U.S. launch until Interbike
The frame borrows their Tripwire truncated airfoil shape from the TM time trial bike to give it both aerodynamics and a stiffer structure. Where a full wing shape tube woundn’t be stiff enough, cut it short (Kamm tail theory) and you get more of a box section without losing the aero benefits. The “trip wire” bit comes from a recessed ridge at the leading edge of the tube that keeps the air laminar, flowing smoother over the tubes and creating less drag.
Detail pics of this and other features below, along with actual weights and a first look at the attractive (and sub-16lb) new alloy Gran Fondo bike…
The top of the seat tube shows the tube profile with the Tripwire ridge. That feature is on all leading edges (seatpost, downtube) except the headtube…
Two looks at it. Above on one of their personal bikes in a not-yet-production paint scheme, and below on the TMR01 production model:
The front of the fork has an extended “structural and UCI approved” section that hides the cables and brakes from the air, presenting a much cleaner profile to the wind. Various ports and plugs let you run only what you need to.
The production bikes will launch with an Ultegra Di2 model with battery mounts on the bottom of the downtube at first, but the bike is set up for Shimano’s forthcoming internal battery in the seatpost. Problem is, the bike will come out before that battery is shipping. The upside? The rider could put Campy EPS on the bike in the future, as shown here. They have a Dura-Ace Di2 model planned when that group starts shipping, too, and there’ll likely be mechanical spec’d bikes in short order. Retail will be $(coming soon), ships in September.
Claimed frame weight is about 1,000g.
The stock bike (with a modified battery inside, not the official Shimano battery) came in at 17lb 4oz (7.83kg) without pedals.
We spotted the lower spec’d disc brake version inside the show, but perhaps more exciting is the standard GF02 Alloy. It uses the same basic shapes as the carbon bike but in aluminum. Full carbon fork is in the same mold as the GF01 carbon but with a different layup. It’ll be offered with this SRAM Red spec and with a Shimano 105 build.
It’s designed to be compliant over rough stretches but with a little less total rear axle movement simply due to alloy being harder than carbon in this application. BMC says it’s very laterally stiff and should be popular with crit racers.
Frame is ready for ready or mechanical or electronic. Cable stops are removable and frame holes and plugs are strategically and inconspicuously placed throughout the frame. Battery will mount under the non drive chainstay.
Available in September, pricing coming soon. A size 54 complete with SRAM Red came in at 15lb 11oz (about 7.12kg).
