BMC - tickling your fancy?

thanks for the input guys, I'm between this bike and a 2012 Focus Izalco Pro 4.0 with Ultegra wich is the same price...

BMC every time.

The Focus frame is pretty generic Asian mold without any particularly clever engineering in order to get it to a competitive price whereas the BMC is engineered to within an inch of its life; Not a single section of the frame has been overlooked to try to improve function / performance.

If the Focus was £500 quid cheaper, it would be a harder decision but at the same cost, it's no contest.

No such thing as too harsh on bad roads really. It can all be tuned through wheel, tyre, bar, saddle choices and is affected by rider weight.

^ Very much this.

Dolan Precursa can be very stiff, but with decent tyres width at the right pressure for your weight, layback seatpost, normal handlebar, etc. it's comfortable even for Century ride.

BMC every time.

The Focus frame is pretty generic Asian mold without any particularly clever engineering in order to get it to a competitive price whereas the BMC is engineered to within an inch of its life; Not a single section of the frame has been overlooked to try to improve function / performance.

If the Focus was £500 quid cheaper, it would be a harder decision but at the same cost, it's no contest.

Are you sure? The 3.0 wich have the same frame won bike of the year twice mainly because the frame was made in germany with a lot of engineering put into it

Shameless plug, but in case anyone lurking here didn't see it - I've a 2010 SLX01 56cm f+f for sale in classifieds, brand new, still wrapped up in its box - £666!

I would be all over it if it were my size :-/

No such thing as too harsh on bad roads really. It can all be tuned through wheel, tyre, bar, saddle choices and is affected by rider weight.

Not so sure on that.

Take the Scott Foil as example; incredibly aero frame but is savagely rigid with a aero seatpost that isn't forgiving in the slightest. Even with your choice of saddle, bars and a pair of shallow rims running 3 cross spokes it will still be a harsh ride on the rutted Tarmac of UK B roads.

Compare that to a Cannondale SuperSix Evo; a non aero frame which runs a 27.2 post and has delicate seatstays.

I know which I'd rather ride at the weekend.

^ Very much this.

Dolan Precursa can be very stiff, but with decent tyres width at the right pressure for your weight, layback seatpost, normal handlebar, etc. it's comfortable even for Century ride.

Uh huh, keep me updated with any useful insight it to you extensive road riding knowledge.

I find my race master surprisingly comfy. Beats me up less than the bob Jackson noodlebike. Still as furious tiles points out the rear end isn't designed for a magic carpet feeling. IMHO, the geometry and stiffness are both aimed at those who like a more forward riding position with decent bar to saddle drop. Thus having less of your weight on the stiff rear. I have a friend with the SL01, and he is equally in love with the way the bike rails fast turns, and jumps at the slight hint of a sprint. It's simply bloody good fun.

Not so sure on that.

I have two road bikes, one a top-of the-line ISP race frame, one a standard mid-range carbon offering. One is most definitely more comfortable than the other, yes, but neither are *too *harsh. In my opinion there is no such thing as 'too harsh'. I commuted long distance for years on a stiff alu track frame with stiff alu deep section wheels, and yes it was harsh, but it was well within acceptable limits, etc etc etc.

My point really being: just because someone on the internet says it's too harsh doesn't mean you won't enjoy wringing every last bit of fun out of throwing it around.

I have two road bikes, one a top-of the-line ISP race frame,
Glad you only mentioned the frame as the groupset is definitely sub-par.

My point really being: just because someone on the internet says it's too harsh doesn't mean you won't enjoy wringing every last bit of fun out of throwing it around.

That could be argued about anything said on the internet but there must be a common ground innit? The majority of people would find a stiff alu track frame to be harsh.

I think the seatpost plays a very large part in this- the rear end of all three of my bikes is alloy, but the Cannondale (stiffest production road frame IN THE WORLD, when new*) is by far the most comfortable- it has a carbon seatpost.

The CX bike with a 31.6mm Thomson alloy post (and wishbone stays) is only tolerable when using much larger tyres- 28c versus the 22c on the Cannondale, and it always surprises me how much less comfortable it is.

*Five years ago

I'm currently commuting on an alu Giant Bowery with an alu post - a much nastier ride than my old silly commuter track frame with carbon post. But when I ride it I'm riding to work, so I'm not going to be having a good time anyway :/

My Langster is ok, I suspect that maybe the much longer, and much narrower (27.2mm) alloy post has more flex/give in it than the shorter and stouter CX post.

Does the 2011 bmc roadracer sl01 have all carbon frame as the 2012-2011 models?

Think just the 2012 onwards is full carbon...

I gotta agree with furious tiles above (although comparing it with the alu Cannondale here) When I took a test ride of SL01 105 compared to CAAD 10 105, I felt the CAAD 10 was much faster with more power transfer and stiffer but not as comfortable to SL01 but thats alu vs carbon debate .. love BMCs though, would love to own a team/race machine one day or if I go MAMIL then an impec ; )

Really? My SL01 didn't budge an inch, I couldn't get it to flex in any way no matter what I tried. And the carbon seat stays gave so much more comfort over a fully aluminium frame that I often was worried I had a puncture as I couldn't feel all the bumps. It seemed to just get more stable at higher speeds and handled great. I would have another one in the right size by now if I hadn't ordered a custom frame.

^ exactly, thats what I call comfort. The sizing was an issue for me as well, their 51cm has top tube of 50.5cm and 52 has I think 54.5, my ideal bike is 52cm horizontal TT

Really? My SL01 didn't budge an inch, I couldn't get it to flex in any way no matter what I tried. And the carbon seat stays gave so much more comfort over a fully aluminium frame that I often was worried I had a puncture as I couldn't feel all the bumps. It seemed to just get more stable at higher speeds and handled great. I would have another one in the right size by now if I hadn't ordered a custom frame.

Totally agree with the higher speeds thing. I even get annoyed with myself for being slow on the flats, as theres more fun in the bike that I'm not tapping into.

^ exactly, thats what I call comfort. The sizing was an issue for me as well, their 51cm has top tube of 50.5cm and 52 has I think 54.5, my ideal bike is 52cm horizontal TT

I think the small has a 53cm ETT. Still, bikefit is more than just ETT.

Good comp here on BMC website, win a GF01 and VIP Roubaix or Ronde experience

http://www.bmc-racing.com/int-en/springclassics.html

Entered, cheers.

Open to US residents only.

Eligibility: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. The Sweepstakes is only open to legal residents of
the 50 United States and the District of Columbia (excluding New York and Florida).

Ah, should have read the small print rather than just hitting "gimme free stuff"