I love that this bike exists because it’s only like one of 3 short travel full suspension drop bar options out there. I own one of them in the c-dale top stone lefty which has replaced both my road bike and my mountain bike. This genre does it all and needs to be expanded and the engineering needs to be pushed forward. They also should market drop bar converted xc mountain bikes for longer travel needs. Some people prefer drops over flat bars and bike companies should offer them. Thanks for not being too biased against suspension in this review. Short travel bikes are really kind on the body as the hours pile up.
I really like the concept, but wouldn't go for it over a standard rigid gravel bike with a Redshift seatpost and stem which are much cheaper, lighter and pretty much no maintenance.
Watching these reviews is one thing but actually owning the bike and pushing it an entirely another game altogether . I pushed mine to my maximum capabilities and the bike is a demon on just about anything I threw at . It is light , fast , responsive. My suspension did not make any noise that David Arthur and this reviewer report . It climbs with ease and it races downhill scary fast . Never really needed to go to down to the lowest or highest gears on my inaugural 46 mile ride . No rider fatigue. Could bikepack 100 miles a day easy on it .
Started out thinking this sounds exactly what I want. Then you got to the weight and I thought that's not much lighter than my FS XC race bike actually its about the same as a XTR equipped Trek Supercaliber. Then you started talking about the issues with the suspension performance. I wonder how a top of the line Salsa Cutthroat (or another 29er drop bar bike) would compare with its 29er wheels. I have been awaiting the arrival of my first gravel bike for 2 years now (ordered in 2020) so I guess once I get the opportunity to gain some gravel riding experience I can determine which end of the gravel spectrum I would like to be on. It seems like for the single track capability end of gravel the Salsa Cutthroat or Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty might be a better option. Its alarming to think that another manufacturer has made a bike more complicated, proprietary and confusing than what Cannondale has managed to come up with.
Why would I want this heavy, maintenance dependent solution over the Lauf True Grit SL fork? It's lighter, maintenance-free, and has no muss. Yes, there is no lock out, but it's nimble, race-intended, and is fully tested and tuned. I don't work for Lauf but I am a believer. BTW, this review is thorough and interesting. I love it. Thank you Cycling Tips.
I’m always glad for competition and variety and companies taking different approaches so that consumers have options - but I have to agree that I do love the lauf fork approach personally, both because it’s such an off the wall/bonkers idea that they managed to bring to market, and because it’s so simple in construction and maintenance free
Thanks for the video you have convinced me to stay with my first thought of a custom Ti framed gravel bike. The low points for road were the factors. I have a Ti XC hardtail racer and I don't need the gravel to fall into that range and not perform as well. I want the gravel with a bit of road in there.
Heavier and more expensive than my 9.7kg mountain bike with pedals, sealant and valves on 2.3-inch tires - not as comfortable or as safe or stable, maybe a little quicker, not much else. Looks cool though.
@@RudiDwiHartanto just put a rigid Enve carbon fork on my XC bike and with 2.3" racing ray's it's supremely comfortable over a range of gravel, single track, rocky fire roads (jeep roads).
We’ve reached peak insanity on gravel bike designs. Just give me an actual XC bike with flat bars and a dropper post please. At some point people will just put gravel tires on an XC bike and realize that “gravel bikes” are not much faster, and the XC bike will actually be fun on singletrack.
@@ericw9655 100% agree - rode last night with a mate on his IBIS Hakka - lovely bike but slower absolutely everywhere other on dead flat gravel roads and he's expending more nervous energy on the descents and is less comfortable throughout the ride.
@@shaun1900 Ha! I have a Hakka. Have ridden centuries on it (700c road tires) and singletrack (650b). It really is an amazing machine that can do so much. The only issue is it’s a little slower on the road, and singletrack feels like survival. A dropper post would probably help immensely. If you can only afford one bike and will be riding lots of actual gravel, then it’s a good choice. Otherwise, a road bike and a MTB will be much more fun.
People spend more on other modes of transportation without batting an eye. Also the cost in maintaining it will be a lot lower than other modes of transportation.
I was liking the idea of this bike and was thinking about it as I need a new gravel bike. But, the serviceability of the fork and suspension just turned me off. I prefer to do that stuff myself. Not to mention the fact that getting the preload and spring right may take a few tries. The lauf was another consideration and I think it just may have won me over.
Nice review. I was really surprised anyone would actually remember the ActionTech fork. I would have thought Dave was still in diapers when those came out.
So the steerer is steel and aluminium to ensure there's no flex or weakness?..... because apparently carbon is flexy and weak?...or is it far more likely it was just easier and cheaper to make out of metal. Did you read that marketing speil from a script perhaps..😉✌️...
Would you really want a carbon steerer tube for something that needs multiple internal threads, can still handle clamping forces, and is still enough to not off-axis load the damper? No doubt this piece could be made from carbon, but I'm not convinced that would be the best choice given that they would need to bond long sections of metal threads into it. Dave Rome.
@@VeloVeloVeloTV fair point, but it still managed to sound like marketing spiel even if it was your own words. It must be hard to avoid picking up phrases like that in the bike industry .
The rear travel on the seat stay makes no sense mechanically. It's a triangular truss, it's probably the least efficient area to make it more compliance.
Least efficient area to add compliance, what do you mean? Where else would you add elastomer-based suspension (aside from solutions that affect saddle height)?
We are sending our BMC URS LT's back as the distributor doesn't stock any of the tools and Springs for custmization and none of these things come with the bike! The play in the front end couldnt be removed from new so not salable! great concept but without a distributor who carries all the bits this would be an expensive mistake for any customer! Topstone Lefty is a much better option with no special parts needed!
An open lower headset bearing arrangement on an offroad bike? Really? Just imagine what this looks and sounds like once you've ridden through the first puddle and it's completely caked in mud. I'm very interested to see how this will hold up long term.
know that the rear mtt suspension needs constant servicing (regreasing) every 10 hours or it starts creaking like mad. I love BMC but I loathe my teamelite for its mtt. Too bad the shop owner or BMC didn't tell me beforehand. who reads the small print before buying a bike???
Wow, 10 hours is a very short timeframe! The MTT absolutely needs ongoing maintenance but you should be able to get more ride time than that. Sounds like the bushings and/or sliding bolts could use a replacement? Dave Rome.
Another sales advert video, not much use to those wanting trusted information. Top level mountain bikes weigh comfortably under 8kg with a front fork. This is a porky bike and not one that I would consider, too heavy and too expensive. Gimmicks springs to mind plus BMC have been getting some criticism over quality issues.
maybe this could be a cool e bike but 10 kg and 8000$ omg ... you can build a 8-8.5 kg super light CC Hardtail mtb or get the much more light Diverge for 8k. Sry, but for me a big fail....
I love that this bike exists because it’s only like one of 3 short travel full suspension drop bar options out there. I own one of them in the c-dale top stone lefty which has replaced both my road bike and my mountain bike. This genre does it all and needs to be expanded and the engineering needs to be pushed forward. They also should market drop bar converted xc mountain bikes for longer travel needs. Some people prefer drops over flat bars and bike companies should offer them. Thanks for not being too biased against suspension in this review. Short travel bikes are really kind on the body as the hours pile up.
Cinematography and editing were a pleasure to watch. Great review!
I really like the concept, but wouldn't go for it over a standard rigid gravel bike with a Redshift seatpost and stem which are much cheaper, lighter and pretty much no maintenance.
Same. I've had the ShockStop stem on my Giant TCX for years and it has worked brilliantly.
Watching these reviews is one thing but actually owning the bike and pushing it an entirely another game altogether . I pushed mine to my maximum capabilities and the bike is a demon on just about anything I threw at . It is light , fast , responsive. My suspension did not make any noise that David Arthur and this reviewer report .
It climbs with ease and it races downhill scary fast . Never really needed to go to down to the lowest or highest gears on my inaugural 46 mile ride . No rider fatigue. Could bikepack 100 miles a day easy on it .
Thanks for the thorough review! Very interesting yet raising lots of questions as well.
It'd be interesting to do a head to head comparison with the Future shock from specialized. No one in the comment section has mentioned it.
Started out thinking this sounds exactly what I want. Then you got to the weight and I thought that's not much lighter than my FS XC race bike actually its about the same as a XTR equipped Trek Supercaliber. Then you started talking about the issues with the suspension performance. I wonder how a top of the line Salsa Cutthroat (or another 29er drop bar bike) would compare with its 29er wheels. I have been awaiting the arrival of my first gravel bike for 2 years now (ordered in 2020) so I guess once I get the opportunity to gain some gravel riding experience I can determine which end of the gravel spectrum I would like to be on. It seems like for the single track capability end of gravel the Salsa Cutthroat or Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty might be a better option. Its alarming to think that another manufacturer has made a bike more complicated, proprietary and confusing than what Cannondale has managed to come up with.
Why would I want this heavy, maintenance dependent solution over the Lauf True Grit SL fork? It's lighter, maintenance-free, and has no muss. Yes, there is no lock out, but it's nimble, race-intended, and is fully tested and tuned. I don't work for Lauf but I am a believer.
BTW, this review is thorough and interesting. I love it. Thank you Cycling Tips.
I’m always glad for competition and variety and companies taking different approaches so that consumers have options - but I have to agree that I do love the lauf fork approach personally, both because it’s such an off the wall/bonkers idea that they managed to bring to market, and because it’s so simple in construction and maintenance free
Excellent and informative review!
Thanks for the video you have convinced me to stay with my first thought of a custom Ti framed gravel bike. The low points for road were the factors. I have a Ti XC hardtail racer and I don't need the gravel to fall into that range and not perform as well. I want the gravel with a bit of road in there.
Appreciate your honest review, very helpful.
Great and honest review 👍👏
Good review both the good and the bad things. When will we have a Cannondale Fatty Gravelfork on a low bb Topstone Carbon? ;)
Heavier and more expensive than my 9.7kg mountain bike with pedals, sealant and valves on 2.3-inch tires - not as comfortable or as safe or stable, maybe a little quicker, not much else. Looks cool though.
i want this fork for my xc bike for more tamed gravel roads. but yeah this bmc is a tad heavy for me especially for "gravel" label.
@@RudiDwiHartanto just put a rigid Enve carbon fork on my XC bike and with 2.3" racing ray's it's supremely comfortable over a range of gravel, single track, rocky fire roads (jeep roads).
We’ve reached peak insanity on gravel bike designs. Just give me an actual XC bike with flat bars and a dropper post please. At some point people will just put gravel tires on an XC bike and realize that “gravel bikes” are not much faster, and the XC bike will actually be fun on singletrack.
@@ericw9655 100% agree - rode last night with a mate on his IBIS Hakka - lovely bike but slower absolutely everywhere other on dead flat gravel roads and he's expending more nervous energy on the descents and is less comfortable throughout the ride.
@@shaun1900 Ha! I have a Hakka. Have ridden centuries on it (700c road tires) and singletrack (650b). It really is an amazing machine that can do so much. The only issue is it’s a little slower on the road, and singletrack feels like survival. A dropper post would probably help immensely. If you can only afford one bike and will be riding lots of actual gravel, then it’s a good choice. Otherwise, a road bike and a MTB will be much more fun.
I have one on order, going to be a big upgrade from my Boone for BWR California.
tiptop review! really liked it!
$8000 for a gravel bike is crazy! But cool innovative tech!
nah man...this shit is ghey
People spend more on other modes of transportation without batting an eye. Also the cost in maintaining it will be a lot lower than other modes of transportation.
Its a sport. Everything is expensive if you love sports
@@salentino is that so? This is the price of a motorcycle, yet this is a bicycle. The margins on these are HUGE.
@@mrjellow so are the margins on other vehicles.
I was liking the idea of this bike and was thinking about it as I need a new gravel bike. But, the serviceability of the fork and suspension just turned me off. I prefer to do that stuff myself. Not to mention the fact that getting the preload and spring right may take a few tries. The lauf was another consideration and I think it just may have won me over.
Nice review. I was really surprised anyone would actually remember the ActionTech fork. I would have thought Dave was still in diapers when those came out.
I probably was! :)
Dave.
So the steerer is steel and aluminium to ensure there's no flex or weakness?..... because apparently carbon is flexy and weak?...or is it far more likely it was just easier and cheaper to make out of metal. Did you read that marketing speil from a script perhaps..😉✌️...
Would you really want a carbon steerer tube for something that needs multiple internal threads, can still handle clamping forces, and is still enough to not off-axis load the damper? No doubt this piece could be made from carbon, but I'm not convinced that would be the best choice given that they would need to bond long sections of metal threads into it.
Dave Rome.
@@VeloVeloVeloTV fair point, but it still managed to sound like marketing spiel even if it was your own words. It must be hard to avoid picking up phrases like that in the bike industry .
50mm wide tires should be the standard max for these new gravel bikes although 45mm is fine for most
Niner does and that’s cool
The rear travel on the seat stay makes no sense mechanically. It's a triangular truss, it's probably the least efficient area to make it more compliance.
Least efficient area to add compliance, what do you mean? Where else would you add elastomer-based suspension (aside from solutions that affect saddle height)?
We are sending our BMC URS LT's back as the distributor doesn't stock any of the tools and Springs for custmization and none of these things come with the bike! The play in the front end couldnt be removed from new so not salable! great concept but without a distributor who carries all the bits this would be an expensive mistake for any customer! Topstone Lefty is a much better option with no special parts needed!
An open lower headset bearing arrangement on an offroad bike? Really? Just imagine what this looks and sounds like once you've ridden through the first puddle and it's completely caked in mud. I'm very interested to see how this will hold up long term.
For that price I’d think T-Lab titanium bike, or a two boutique steel bikes.
GR8 review
know that the rear mtt suspension needs constant servicing (regreasing) every 10 hours or it starts creaking like mad. I love BMC but I loathe my teamelite for its mtt. Too bad the shop owner or BMC didn't tell me beforehand. who reads the small print before buying a bike???
Wow, 10 hours is a very short timeframe! The MTT absolutely needs ongoing maintenance but you should be able to get more ride time than that. Sounds like the bushings and/or sliding bolts could use a replacement?
Dave Rome.
URS or URZZZZ?
Another sales advert video, not much use to those wanting trusted information.
Top level mountain bikes weigh comfortably under 8kg with a front fork.
This is a porky bike and not one that I would consider, too heavy and too expensive. Gimmicks springs to mind plus BMC have been getting some criticism over quality issues.
maybe this could be a cool e bike but 10 kg and 8000$ omg ... you can build a 8-8.5 kg super light CC Hardtail mtb or get the much more light Diverge for 8k. Sry, but for me a big fail....
Hi
You gotta laugh with bikes these days, so many different types I'm losing it
a failed work single chainling
Bikes are getting more and more lame