BMC launch Red Bull Advanced Technologies co-developed Speedmachine

A 5 year BMC X Red Bull Advanced Technologies (RBAT) project with the aim of producing the fastest time-trial and triathlon bike in the world has, with the launch of the all new BMC Speedmachine, today broken cover.

“This partnership is not like other F1 partnerships you’ve seen; it’s a technology first partnership and is focused on testing our limits and challenging what is possible.” states the launch announcement, where the engineers at BMC’s Impec Lab started the project with the aim of solving a problem – how to perfectly align stability, aerodynamics, fit and integration to produce the fastest bike in the world.

The all-new Speedmachine has been assessed, refined, and optimized, from the ground up, to produce what the brand describes as ground-breaking handling characteristics, achieved via radical head tube angle, rake and trail dimensions.

An integrated hydration unit is said to further aid handling and aerodynamics, positioned low above the bottom bracket junction, with internal, easy to clean hydration tube routing, positioned to enable the rider to stay in position and aero. The hydration bottle is supplied in 2 sizes, with an easily removable 1.2L reservoir, leaving the UCI-compliant 400ml tank in position and accessible whilst tucked.

Triathletes will benefit from the built-in rear storage and light both positioned behind the seat tube which are integrated and designed with aerodynamics in mind.

With a wider range of options between base bars, extensions and stack, athletes can remain in their preferred aero position for longer, and this added stability also provides the opportunity to ride deeper section wheels. For both elite and recreational athletes, the redesigned cockpit has been dramatically simplified and can now be removed with just 4 bolts.

Formula 1 knowhow meets BMC solutions

Working with RBAT, the engineering company born out of the multiple world championship winning Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team, extensive technology-led research and testing went into the new Speedmachine – real world testing well beyond the confines of the wind tunnel.

RBAT engineers have years of experience exploring ‘Driver Feel’ and how the driver is connected and feels at one with the car in top level motorsport. Through the partnership with RBAT, BMC was able to take this research and apply it to the bike to explore the connection with ‘Rider Feel’. Feeling a connection with the bike and understanding how it is going to react on the road leads to a fundamentally better predictability and handling for the rider, resulting in more confidence in speed.

Separating and disrupting airflow produces downward force – as with rear wings on racing cars – once again improving handling. Particular attention has been paid to controlling airflow via tube shapes, the head tube leading edge and the unique airflow spoiler beneath the fork crown – a technology resulting directly from the RBAT collaboration – designed to control air flow from the front wheel. Extra-wide fork legs complement and complete the through-flow.

Real world testing 

When tested in the challenging conditions of Lanzarote by the BMC Pro Tri team, the athletes fed back that the feel of the bike provided unrivalled stability, incredible power transfer and drew comparison with riding a road bike.

Ben O’Connor, professional cyclist for World Tour team AG2R Citroën, comments: “The new Speedmachine from BMC is incredibly impressive – it’s really a game-changer for me. The main positive point is the manoeuvrability and stability, which are significantly improved, especially on the descents. But this is also the case on the climbs, because it is more rigid and responsive – very important for a good time-trial bike where the courses often include technical turns with more rolling descents and climbs.”

Max Neumann, professional triathlete for BMC Pro Triathlon Team, commented: “After spending a good few weeks now on the new Speedmachine you really can’t ask for more in a TT bike. The biggest noticeable difference from the Timemachine is how stable the Speedmachine is at speed, up climbs and in cross winds. The team at BMC have been able to strip significant weight off the Speedmachine and now it climbs like a road bike but also TT’s on the flat quicker then any bike I’ve ridden”

Lighter frame, practical packing

The all-new design comprises just 20 components, a significant reduction and a major factor in reducing frameset weight by 500g.

Packability and frequent travelling have been addressed, with only four bolts required to turn the bar assembly for bagging or boxing. A simple and efficient vertical clamp makes the seatpost easy to remove and pack.

In the UK BMC is distributed by ZyroFisher, with the distributor confirming that the new Speedmachine is expected to arrive during the first half of 2024.