BMC's new Teammachine offers disc or rim brakes and greater integration

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BMC has two new Teammachine SLR01 bikes - an updated rim-brake bike and a new disc machine (Image credit: Courtesy BMC)

This article originally appeared on BikeRadar

With the unveiling of the third generation Teammachine SLR01, BMC join the growing list of manufacturers to offer a premium race bike with rim and disc brake options. BMC's most important model has defined the company's progress – the first generation in 2011 was BMC's first carbon monocoque, and helped Cadel Evans to his 2011 Tour win, and Philippe Gilbert to his 2012 world championship title. Generation two in 2013 was first to employ ACE (Accelerated Composite Evolution) Technology, and carried Greg Van Avermaet to the 2016 Olympic title and some great one-day results in 2017 so far.

BMC's ACE Technology combines the shape and laminate calculations to simplify the process. It's a supercomputer-based algorithm, co-developed between BMC and two other companies, one of whom has access to such a computer. BMC had 247 parameters to consider when creating a carbon frame. The second generation SLR01's ACE Technology design passed through 34,000 iterations before arriving at the final one, adding disc brakes to the mix for the new bike increased that number by another 18,000.

The disc fork is all new, and to account for the stress that is created above the front disc caliper, BMC ignored the convention of simply beefing it up with additional material, often around 50-60g, instead, they maintained the same tube thicknesses and altered the individual profiles of each leg, making them quite asymmetric. The fork is optimised for a 160mm rotor, and to avoid unnecessary mounting hardware, BMC created what they call a Direct Frontal Flat Mount for the disc caliper, with the bolts piercing the fork leg from front to rear, with no need for aluminium adaptors. The result is a disc-specific fork that's only 18g heavier than its rim-braked equivalent, weighing a claimed 355g, including headset compression device.

Following the lead of last year's Roadmachine, the Teammachine SLR01 has reduced the Crosslock brace inside the top tube and seat tube junction to a buttress. Hidden within is the 'No-Gap' seatpost clamp, which has an internal wedge, and eliminates any gaps between the seatpost and frame with its floating top cap. It's adjusted from below with an angled 4mm hex bolt. The 195g D-shaped Compliance Post seatpost continues (15mm offset standard; 0mm option available), its flattened rear side allowing it to flex, and the lowered seatclamp extends its active length by 46mm.

Another Roadmachine feature is the ICS (Integrated Cockpit System) stem, which comes fitted to the top three SLR01 Disc models. The stem's lower cover channels the hydraulic hoses and Di2 cables in to the frame for a clean look. The cockpit is as adjustable as any other, but sleeker, using proprietary two-part spacers with interlocking halves, allowing front end adjustment without removing hydraulic brake lines. The stem's open faceplate accepts a slot-in mount for a Garmin and a GoPro or light.

Deciding that the current thru-axle options available were heavy, BMC its own, which weigh 55g for the pair. They're a conventional 12mm diameter with 6mm hex required for fitting and removal – one DT Swiss removable hex lever is provided. The racing team's disc bikes will use an 8mm hex to save a fraction more weight, and because service will always be on hand. The 8mm thru axle socket wasn't considered appropriate for the consumer market as not every rider carries an 8mm tool.

Designed around 25mm rubber, the new Teammachine SLR01 has clearance for tyres with a measured width of 28mm too. The rear disc brake uses a 140mm rotor as standard, but it's possible to alter it to 160mm of necessary, and in a weight saving masterclass, BMC designed an ultra light replaceable sandwich-style rear derailleur hanger, with a completely open skeleton design, and frame mounting that bolts through the carbon dropout.