ENDURANCE
BMC Roadmachine X One
£5,700 Where the endurance bike goes beyond the road
Weight 8.13kg (58cm) Frame Carbon Fork Carbon Gears SRAM Force eTap AXS XPLR, 44, 10-44 Brakes Force disc Wheels BMC CRD-321 tubeless Finishing kit BMC integrated stem/bar, Premium carbon D post, Fizik Terra Argo X3 saddle, WTB Expanse 32mm tyres
The Good
Handling; smooth ride; great components
The Bad
Its versatility means it’s a little compromised
8.13
The weight of the bike in kilograms, which is very good when you take into account the 1,500g wheel weight and the 32mm tyres
35
The depth in millimetres of the own-brand tubeless-ready carbon rims. The tyres are 32mm wide and the tyre clearance is 33mm
44
The single SRAM Force chainring has 44 teeth. When paired with the wide-range 10-44 cassette, you get a very good 27-119in gear range
BMC’S ROADMACHINE X blends endurance-bike geometry, head angles more attuned to gravel and a seat angle that smacks of speedy roadster. In short, it’s geometrically versatile. The frame’s constructed from TCC – Tuned Compliance Concept – Endurance carbon, meaning it’s designed to be responsive, yet compliant enough to offer comfort and vibration reduction.
BMC’s signature D-shaped seatpost adds bump-softening compliance, while the aero bar is comfortable.
The Fizik Argo saddle is a great place to perch with its compact length, high-density padding and cleverly shaped channel with an insert to prevent underside splashing.
The CRD-321 wheels are BMC’s own and weigh in at a respectable 677g/832g for front and rear and feature a 35mm-deep carbon rim with a broad 21mm internal width. They’re a hooked, tubelesscompatible design and are shod with WTB’s Expanse tubeless tyres in a generous 32mm width. The lightly treaded surface works wonders in the wet, and they roll as quickly as you’d want for most scenarios.
BMC has chosen SRAM’s gravel-focused Force AXS XPLR. In a non-road-bike move, the X One comes with a 1x 44T chainset and 10-44 cassette, which gives a huge range of gears. Impressively, the jumps are pretty much what you’d expect on a 2x bike.
You also get access to SRAM’s superb accompanying app, which helps with firmware updates and maintenance and gives you the ability to analyse your rides.
As for the most important bit – the ride – it’s superbly comfortable on tarmac, aided by the plush tyres, compliant seatpost and super ride position. It’s a confidenceinspiring companion when the weather is poor, and its stability at speed ensures funfilled descents rather than fearful riding on the limit. Heading uphill, the chassis feels solid and responsive. The 8.13kg overall weight is light, which is good when you consider the girth of the tyres.
If you’re looking for a bike that’s great on the road and capable of much more beyond, then the Roadmachine may just fit into your life perfectly.
Verdict
One bike for all that’s comfortable, handles confidently and above all it’s fun to ride