{"id":54041,"date":"2023-09-05T10:00:07","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T08:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=745135"},"modified":"2023-09-05T10:35:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T08:35:41","slug":"new-bmc-speedmachine-tt-bike-reduces-drag-with-formula-one-inspired-fork-crown-spoiler","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/new-bmc-speedmachine-tt-bike-reduces-drag-with-formula-one-inspired-fork-crown-spoiler\/","title":{"rendered":"New BMC Speedmachine TT bike reduces drag with Formula One-inspired fork crown spoiler"},"content":{"rendered":"

Collaboration with Red Bull F1 engineers produces \u201cfastest time trial and triathlon bike in the world\u201d <\/p>

By Jack Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 05 September 2023 at 08:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

BMC has officially unveiled the Speedmachine time trial bike, which features a fork crown spoiler and an integrated hydration unit.<\/p>\n

BMC calls the Speedmachine the \u201cfastest time trial and triathlon bike in the world\u201d.<\/p>\n

The brand says the all-new bike is the fruit of a five-year collaboration with Formula 1 aerodynamic experts, Red Bull Advanced Technologies.<\/p>\n

A prototype Speedmachine<\/a> made its race debut at the 2022 Ironman World Championships.<\/p>\n

BMC-sponsored WorldTour teams have time trialled on a UCI-compliant version of the prototype this season.<\/p>\n

BMC says the Speedmachine is lighter and more stable than the outgoing Timemachine time trial bike<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The BMC Speedmachine will be available to buy from November 2023 as a frameset for $6,999\/\u20ac6,999 and a full bike from $10,999\/\u20ac10,999 for the range-topping Speedmachine 01 LTD.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorld\u2019s fastest\u201d<\/h2>\n
\"BMC\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The \u201cShark Fin\u201d fork crown spoiler is claimed to control air flowing off the front tyre.<\/span><\/figcaption> BMC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Developed at BMC\u2019s Impec research and development lab in Grenchen, Switzerland, the Speedmachine has deep, truncated aerofoil tube shapes and wide fork legs.<\/p>\n

BMC says a fork crown spoiler shaped like a shark fin diverts dirty air from the down tube and cutting drag.<\/p>\n

The head tube\u2019s leading edge and wide fork have the same effect, according to the brand.<\/p>\n

The Swiss bike brand adds that the \u201cShark Fin\u201d directly resulted from the partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies.<\/p>\n

This company performs aerodynamic modelling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations mainly for Formula One cars.<\/p>\n

\"BMC\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The wider forks make room for 30mm-wide tyres and help control airflow, says BMC.<\/span><\/figcaption> BMC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Since 2018 it has collaborated with BMC to apply its F1 expertise to bike racing.<\/p>\n

BMC says the Speedmachine\u2019s simple frame comprises 20 parts, contributing to the frameset being 500g lighter than the Timemachine\u2019s.<\/p>\n

A graph in the press material appears to show that the Speedmachine has a lower drag coefficient, a measure of aerodynamics, at various yaw angles than the Timemachine.<\/p>\n

All else being equal,\u00a0this should make the Speedmachine faster on the road.<\/p>\n

But <\/span>BMC hasn\u2019t supplied evidence demonstrating the Speedmachine is the \u201cworld\u2019s fastest time trial and triathlon bike\u201d by comparing it to competitors\u2019 bikes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More confident at speed<\/h2>\n
\"male\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Speedmachine has been raced for more than a year as a prototype.<\/span><\/figcaption> BMC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

BMC says its Impec lab engineers made the Speedmachine\u2019s geometry longer, taller and slacker than the Timemachine\u2019s.<\/p>\n

The brand claims the Speedmachine\u2019s handling is consequently more predictable and the rider is more confident at speed.<\/p>\n

Red Bull Advanced Technologies translated the concept of \u2018Driver Feel\u2019 \u2013 the way in which the driver feels connected to the car \u2013 to the Speedmachine, according to BMC.<\/p>\n

The BMC press material quotes AG2R Citro\u00ebn\u2019s Ben O\u2019Connor as saying: \u201cThe main positive point is the manoeuvrability and stability, which are significantly improved, especially on the descents.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Australian climber is also quoted as saying that the Speedmachine feels more \u201crigid and responsive\u201d on ascents.<\/p>\n

\"BMC\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Speedmachine\u2019s cockpit is quite simple for a TT bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> BMC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Compared to the Timemachine 01 Disc<\/a>, the Speedmachine has a cleaner front end.<\/p>\n

The base bar integrates into the stem and standard riser blocks support the armrests and extensions.<\/p>\n

BMC now claims to offer riders more cockpit configurations with\u00a0 base bar, extension and stack options.<\/p>\n

The Speedmachine is optimised for 28mm tyres but has clearance 30mm-wide rubber up from 27mm on the Timemachine, according to BMC.<\/p>\n

BMC Speedmachine geometry<\/h3>\n
<\/colgroup> \n
\ufeffSize<\/th>S<\/th>M<\/th>L<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Rider height<\/b> (cm)<\/td>Less than 174<\/td>172-185<\/td>Over 180<\/td> <\/tr>
Armrest stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td>558-65<\/td>588-681<\/td>628-721<\/td> <\/tr>
Armrest reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td>348-466<\/td>368-486<\/td>395-548<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>460<\/td>525<\/td>551<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>80<\/td>80<\/td>82.4<\/td> <\/tr>
Rear centre<\/b> (mm)<\/td>405<\/td>405<\/td>405<\/td> <\/tr>
Front centre<\/b> (mm)<\/td>578<\/td>606<\/td>646<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td>974<\/td>1,000<\/td>1,040<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket drop<\/b> (mm)<\/td>62<\/td>72<\/td>72<\/td> <\/tr>
Fork length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>391<\/td>391<\/td>392<\/td> <\/tr>
Standover height<\/b> (mm)<\/td>766<\/td>806<\/td>837<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table>