We’ve already learned a bit about the new 29er mountain bike, and a new Granfondo GF01 road bike was spotted being tested at Paris-Roubaix prior to it’s formal launch.
Indeed, BMC’s website has an incomplete web page set up for the GF01 with some of the details (and some placeholder text about a dropper seatpost, clearly copied from their MTB side, ha!). It was dubbed the “Spring Classics Project” until now and is designed around events like the Paris-Roubaix…and for recreational cyclists looking for a fast, stable, comfortable ride.
The headtube, downtube, chainstays and fork crown are all oversized, giving the bike a stiff platform for power transfer and solid handling.
To handle the rough roads, the fork has some unique looking lower legs. They remain very straight until the bottom, then rake out. This likely gives it some of the right kind of flex to absorb bumps without compromising handling (like the wildly curving stays on Kirk Frameworks’ steel disc brake ‘cross bike).
The seatstays look pretty flat and thin, and BMC has refined their rear triangle design to offer better overall compliance than the racier TeamMachine SLR01. Already mounted low on the seatpost (less vertical force directed straight up to your hind section), the shaping likely helps more.
Three more features make the bike somewhat unique: There’s a chain catcher integrated into the frame, directly above the BB. The shifter cable stops are removable, letting you run standard mechanical shifters externally, or route Di2 wiring internally and keep a clean frame. Lastly, it’s designed specifically around 28c tires and the complete bike will have saddle and handlebar spec chosen for comfort.
If the numbers on the website hold true, frame weight is claimed at 995g (54), fork is 380g and seatpost is 198g. Complete bike is listing at 7.38kg (16.27lbs), but build kit is unknown.
We should have much more info and some hands on time with the GF01 next week! UPDATE: Here’s the coverage.
