FAST BIKE FRIDAY – BMC ROADMACHINE X ONE

For Fast Bike Friday this week we’ve got something a little different, which initially needs a little explaining; the BMC Roadmachine X One is part-road-bike (the clue’s in the title after-all) and part-gravel-bike. During the unboxing and bike-build process it got our workshop technicians talking; is this a versatile road bike with some off-road capability? Or a super-fast gravel bike which doesn’t hold you back when you hit the smoother roads? There was some consternation at the bike’s minimal tyre clearance and ability to only run up to 32mm wide tyres, but to judge this bike against other gravel bikes is unfair, this is not a dyed-in-the-wool gravel bike and BMC have never billed it as such. This an extremely versatile road bike that is designed to excel on tarmac, rougher road surfaces and the occasional deviation onto more adventurous gravel-focused rides.

Before we go any further it’s important to clarify that BMC have a ‘proper’ gravel bike model in their extensive bike range. The BMC URS (Unrestricted) is the Swiss brand’s full-on gravel machine with enhanced tyre clearance, a playful geometry and clever MTT (Micro Travel Technology) to help take the sting out of rough gravel roads. We recently took a detailed look at the BMC URS One Apex 1 in another Fast Bike Friday feature and it’s worth revisiting to get a clear understanding between their gravel bike and the Roadmachine X model we’re looking at today.

Way back in January 2021 we wrote a feature on the BMC Roadmachine 01 Three; this model of Roadmachine was spec’d as a super-fast but brilliantly comfortable road bike designed to excel on long all-day epics. It’s worth revisiting the feature to understand what this bike in its purest form is all about, but in summary the BMC Roadmachine is described as a road bike that’s designed to reduce body fatigue with a certain amount of compliance cleverly engineered into the frame without compromising on performance and flat out speed.

Versatile road bike with off-road capability? Or super-fast gravel bike that doesn’t hold you back on smoother roads? Well, it’s both actually!

 

It’s thanks to that sensitive carbon engineering and layup in the construction process that helps to make this road bike so versatile; it’s not going to leave you feeling too beat up when you encounter rougher roads or venture onto moderate gravel roads. Factor in the disc brake configuration with more clearance between the frame, fork and wheels and suddenly a bike like this becomes even more versatile with the option to run a wider tyre capable of tackling terrain which would have been considered unrideable just a few short seasons ago.

BMC have taken their popular Roadmachine model and given it a gravel-focused make over; with those 32mm WTB Expanse tyres and SRAM’s FORCE XPLR eTap AXS wireless gravel-specific groupset they’ve almost created their very own sub-genre of cycling discipline. This ‘Gravel-lite’ configuration will certainly suit you if you’re the type of rider who spends most of your time riding on the road but want a little more versatility and the freedom to bunny hop off the super-smooth tarmac and onto more challenging terrain when you see it.

The BMC Roadmachine X One features SRAM’s new gravel-specific Force XPLR eTap AXS wireless groupset.

 

RMX means you’re onboard a beefed-up road bike (or is a slimmed-down gravel bike?!)

 

The Roadmachine X One includes bolt-on-bosses on the top tube for your gravel-friendly bento box.

 

The dropped seatstays along with a sophisticated carbon layup in the construction process means the Roadmachine X One is super-comfortable in the saddle.

 

While the Roadmachine is officially a ‘road machine’ (the clue’s in the title) with 32mm gravel tyres fitted it becomes a very fast gravel bike.

 

There’s a healthy amount of clearance between the 32mm tyre and the X Premium carbon fork.

 

This versatile all-rounder includes an integrated cockpit for a clean, uncluttered look and some aerodynamic benefits too.

 

BMC’s ICS1 propriety stem and RAB 02 feature on the Roadmachine X One.

 

The BMC bar and stem combo is easily adjustable allowing you to fine-tune your position.

 

There’s some unique tube profiling on the Roadmachine X which adds strength where it’s needed.

 

Building the Roadmachine X was a chance for BMC to spec the brilliant new gravel-specific groupset from SRAM; the XPLR collection includes components designed to enhance your gravel riding experience and are compatible with other SRAM groupset componentry. The SRAM engineers re-focused their efforts on the drivetrain and engineered a whole new gravel-specific Force XPLR eTap rear derailleur designed to work with a single ring upfront for a simple but efficient 1X drivetrain. Sram have increased the length of the rear derailleur’s upper knuckle, dropping the cage and pulley portion of the rear mech lower and further back than their standard road going version. This enables the derailleur to accommodate the wide ratio of gears on the rear cassette without having to run a long-cage rear mech and also helps to keep gear changes more crisp and chain lines more efficient.

BMC have spec’d the Roadmachine X One with SRAM’s new gravel-specific Force XPLR eTap AXS groupset.

 

Just like it’s road-going equivalent, the SRAM Force XPLR rear derailleur is activated via a wireless signal from the Force eTap AXS HRD wireless shifters at the handlebar. The rear derailleur picks up that wireless signal and shifts instantaneously, with every gear change being precise and consistent regardless of the road OR off-road conditions that you’re riding in. Again, just like the road-going version the Force XPLR rear derailleur includes a fluid clutch which helps to increase chain tension, preventing it from unshipping when the terrain gets particularly rough.

The all-new SRAM Force XPLR eTap AXS rear derailleur facilitates a gearing sweet spot that’s perfectly suited to gravel riding.

 

SRAM wireless eTap AXS drivetrain is simple, efficient and dependable in all conditions.

 

During the development of the new XPLR groupset SRAM took the opportunity to tweak the gear ratios to better suit the demands of gravel riding. At the heart of the XPLR configuration is the simple 1X drivetrain (a single chainring up front combined with a wide-ratio cassette); for this to work efficiently and be as versatile and user-friendly as possible SRAM have produced a cassette that includes gear ratios suited to fast tarmac stretches as well as long, lose off-road gravel climbs. To achieve this the cassette features a large 44T low gear and a tiny 10T high gear with the great spread in between; at the smaller end of the cassette the jumps between each gear ratio are small to help you hold your speed and pedal efficiently. The gaps between each gear are larger higher up the block when speeds are lower and the jumps are less noticeable, allowing SRAM to go up to that big 44T cog within the 12-speed cassette.

The SRAM Force XPLR AXS 10-44T cassette includes a wide range of ratios for gravel climbs and tighter jumps for fast riding on the road.

 

SRAM’s instantly recognisable and unique 12-speed Flattop chain helps increase strength and durability.

 

The 12-speed Flattop chain combined with the Force AXS 1 narrow-wide chainring means your drivetrain is efficient and secure with no risk of dropping your chain.

 

The simple 1x drivetrain is completed with a beautifully crafted SRAM Force 1 carbon chainset; there’s a single 44 tooth chainring attached to this super-stiff crank arm giving you a really low 44x44T climbing gear that should enable you to conquer even the steepest, most-loose gravel climbs you’ll encounter on those mixed-surface epic rides that the Roadmachine X One will no doubt encourage you to do. SRAM were pioneers of the narrow-wide chainring configuration which helps to keep the chain securely located on the chainring, however, BMC have gone the extra mile and have included a small chain catcher on the frame for even more security.

A super-light, stiff Force AXS 1 carbon crank with a 44T chainring keeps things simple and user-friendly.

 

The integrated chain keeper is aa nice extra touch from BMC, you shouldn’t need it though.

 

SRAM’s 12-speed Force eTap AXS wireless shifters provide consistent, lightening-fast gear changes thanks to their digital configuration.

 

Gear changes using the Force eTap AXS shifters are easy, intuitive and can be customised to suit you.

 

The SRAM Force XPLR groupset is finished off with a pair of powerful flat-mount Force HRD hydraulic brake calipers that perform brilliantly both on and off-road. Matched up with 160mm Centerline X Rotors the brakes deal well with any potential for heat build up on long road descents as well as giving plenty of bite when you’re riding the Roadmachine X to its limits on more unpredictable terrain. There’s just the right amount of lever pull before the brakes engage making braking modulation easy and predictable, encouraging you to scrub off speed quickly and effectively when you get yourself into a fix.

Powerful hydraulic Force HRD brakes help you scrub off speed quickly and effectively.

 

Let’s be clear, this is a superfast road bike which is able to carry that speed over to any small off-road excursions that you’re tempted to make. With a stiff, light carbon frame you’ll be dancing up the climbs on this bike and will feel encouraged to ride further for longer thanks to that efficient chassis. We all know, however that a lightweight carbon frame and fork is only as good as the wheels they’re attached too; fit a heavy pair of wheels and the ride-quality of your bike can be really compromised. Thankfully BMC have spec’d the Roadmachine X One with a pair of lightweight carbon wheels that roll fast and efficiently on-road but are ready for the rough and tumble of riding off-road. With a nice wide profile those 32mm WTB Expanse tyres sit nicely on the rim to give a fairly wide (for 32mm tyres) footprint, giving you more traction and control on the loose stuff.

The Roadmachine’s BMC CRD wheels boast light but tough carbon fibre tubeless-ready rims.

 

You’ll notice the tread pattern is pretty minimal on the WTB Expanse tyres but this just hints at how BMC see the Roadmachine X being used. There’s actually a slick portion down the centre of the tyre followed by a slightly grooved portion before ending with a more raised, blocky tread pattern on the very outer edges of the tyre to help give more control off-road. That slick section down the middle just means that when you ARE riding on the road you’ll be able to get the best out of the bike without feeling like your speed is being compromised.

The WTB Expanse tyres are 32mm wide and feature just enough tyre tread to provide grip off-road without compromising their ability to roll fast.

 

The Fizik Terra Argo X3 is a gravel-specific model.

 

So, is ‘Gravel-Lite’ your thing? If you’re the type of rider who spends most of their time riding on the road and is focused mainly on speed, efficiency and getting some serious milage under your belt while remaining as comfortable as possible the Roadmachine is a great option. If you’re that type of rider AND you’re gravel-curious, with those tracks and trails you see on the road-side inspiring you more and more to begin exploring beyond the tarmac this Roadmachine X with its slightly more off-road-capable configuration will help to make that transition with little or no compromise on speed and performance.

The BMC Roadmachine X One is a seriously versatile road bike that’s capable of moderate gravel-biking duties.

 

BMC Roadmachine X One £5,700.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: Roadmachine X Premium Carbon with Tuned Compliance Concept Endurance, Internal Cable Routing, PF86 Bottom Bracket, Flat Mount Disc, 12x142mm Thru-Axle
• Fork: Roadmachine X Premium Carbon with Tuned Compliance Concept Endurance, Internal Cable Routing, Flat Mount Disc, 12x100mm Thru-Axle, 50mm Offset (Size 47-51), 45mm Offset (Size 54-61)
• Shifters: SRAM FORCE eTap AXS HRD
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM FORCE XPLR eTap AXS
• Cassette : SRAM FORCE XPLR AXS 10-44T
• Chainset: SRAM FORCE AXS 1 44T
• Chain: SRAM FORCE 12-Speed
• Brakes: SRAM FORCE eTap AXS HRD
• Brake Levers: SRAM FORCE eTap AXS HRD
• Rotors: Centerline X Rotors (160F/160R)
• Wheels: CRD-321 Hubs, CRD-321 Carbon Tubeless Ready 35mm Rims
• Tyres: WTB Expanse, 32mm
• Stem: BMC ICS1 Integrated Cockpit Design
• Handlebar: BMC RAB 02, Ergo Top Shape, Compact Bend
• Seat Post: Roadmachine X Premium Carbon D-Shaped Seatpost
• Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X3

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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