Foldable Bikes Party: BMC Teammachine SLR01 Dura-Ace Di2 review

Wednesday, 20 July 2016

BMC Teammachine SLR01 Dura-Ace Di2 review

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Some bikes shine brightly for a time, and after a honeymoon period, are superseded by the competition. Some bikes become ‘old’ when manufacturers replace or update their models. Few bikes in recent years have managed to maintain a consistently competitive edge, but the SLR01 is one seemingly omnipresent design.

Since its launch three years ago, we’ve tested several SLR01 models, and defying the school of thought that suggests never going back for fear of repeating oneself, the bike that wowed us from the start remains virtually unchanged. Does it still compete against the newer, younger upstarts? Undoubtedly.

Design classic draped in pro-level kit

Proving the benefit of getting a design 100% right, the SLR01 feels as taut, crisp and revelatory today as it did when we first sampled it in 2013. BMC’s ACE (Accelerated Composites Evolution) Technology software worked through 34,000 possible frame iterations before settling on this one, and the proof of the carbon is in the riding. Or something like that.

From the first pedal stroke, the SLR01 just sings. Our model comes close to team spec with a complete Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, 3T cockpit, and Dura-Ace wheels, but the Fizik Arione saddle has Kium, not carbon rails, and the wheels are an aluminium and carbon hybrid with clincher tyres. Considering Shimano’s belief in alloy rather than carbon, the 6.58kg weight is impressive. Race-worthy carbon tubulars and a lighter saddle would trim mass, but a diet isn’t what this bike is crying out for.

It craves speed. Pure, raw speed on any terrain brings the SLR01 alive and begins to reveal just some of its epic potential. The professional team has raced it over everything from mountains to the Roubaix cobbles for the simple reason that it matches extraordinary climbing ability to incredible bump smoothing and shock absorption. It’s a bike that excels on any road you point it at, and no matter how twisty the route, its positive braking and confidently stable cornering makes it easy to carry speed.