BMC’s new Gran Fondo GF01 Disc comes in two models, both running Di2 with Shimano’s new hydraulic road disc brakes.
The top level Dura-Ace bike (foreground) gets new carbon rims from BMC mated to DT Swiss hubs. The Ultegra bike gets alloy DT Swiss X1900 29er wheels. Both use a unique front brake hose routing into a headset spacer and through the steerer to pop out inside the fork leg. They don’t just drill the holes. The fork is molded specifically to accommodate the hose insertion with multiple holes to work with different frame sizes.
Retail is $13,999 for DA and $7,999 for Ultegra. No, that’s not a typo…
The front brake hose routing is killer, even if it is a bit hard to see here.
140mm rotors front and rear.
Below that is the alloy Gran Fondo GF02 with two models. The geo is tweaked slightly from the carbon GF01, mainly by giving it a substantially shorter head tube. At the moment, this is the closest thing they have to a gravel grinder, and surprisingly there’s no cyclocross bike in their lineup.
The GF02 Ultegra is shown with the same DT wheels as the GF01 and will retail for $3,999. A 105 build will come in at $2,999.
The TeamMachine SLR02 is a new little sister to the recently intro’d SLR01 that Cadel Evans has been racing. It uses a lower level carbon that brings the frame weight up to 970g, versus 790g for the SLR01. The other main differences are alloy dropouts instead of carbon and a standard round seat tube instead of their custom D-shaped flex post. It also gets external cable routing for mechanical groups, internal for electronic (both on the same frame, mech stops are removable).
Three trim levels: Ultegra Di2 $5,999 / Ultrega mechanical $3999 / 105 $2699 (with 11-32 cassette and compact crankset).
The new Alpen Challenge AC01 city bikes are very much a performance model based on their road bikes, but with flat bars and commuter friendly options. They wanted it to be the fastest urban bike on the market in every way.
The frame is triple butted alloy with heavy shaping and internal workings to make it perform like a road bike and feel like a mountain bike. Well, their race level XC hardtail mountain bikes anyway. This means short chainstays and Angle Compliance designs like on the Gran Fondo GF02. The end result is a sharp looking frame that’s 500g lighter than the prior version.
Four models are on tap with three very different drivetrains. There are Sora and 105 road groups, a SRAM XX1 build (above) and an Alfine 11 with Gates belt drive. The latter two get a carbon fork, the road groups have an alloy one.
The scalloped cutout on the seat tube not only helps get the chainstays shorter, but it’s shaped to hold a fender flush against the tube. Eyelets for fenders are on the dropouts. Racks aren’t recommended on this bike because the tight dimensions mean less stability with a heavy load and possible heel clearance issues. Like we said, it’s designed with speed as a priority and other things get sacrificed to meet that goal.
With fenders, it’ll take a 700×32 tire, and 700×35 without.
Speaking of fenders, they offer several aftermarket options. They make their own fender kit that comes with a small ball joint that bolts into the dropouts and slotted bolt holes where it meets the frame. This lets you pop the fenders on and off in about 10 seconds. It’s shown unattached in the pic on the left.
They also make integrated lights developed in conjunction with Sparse, a project that came about after they read about the brand here on Bikerumor! The seatpost and axles have security bolts. Rather than use a special keyed tool, they simply uses a tumbling weighted pin inside the collar or frame that lets you tighten the bolt but prevents loosening when the bike is upright…like when you lock it up at the store. Turn the bike on its side and the pin falls away from the bolt head and you can loosen it. All of the moving parts are internal, so thieves basically will just get frustrated and move on.
