BMC Granfondo GF02 carbon

BMC has added a third bike to its Granfondo range of ‘endurance’ bikes for model year 2015: the Granfondo GF02 carbon. The aluminium framed GF02 will remain in the range, but only in a disc-equipped incarnation.

The chassis

The GF02 carbon is made using the same moulds as the flagship GF01, but with a different lay-up: one prototyped in Grenchen. Christ explained that the GF02 carbon’s lay-up uses uses thicker, but fewer carbon plies than its senior sibling (some 30 per cent fewer). The result, BMC claim, is a frame that matches the GF01 in the stiffness and comfort stakes, but which is heavier: a claimed 1280g for a painted, 54cm frame with hardware.

The GF02 carbon will be available in six sizes: 48cm, 51cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, and 61cm. Its geometry differs significantly from the race-oriented Team Machine, as might be expected. The top tube is some 8mm shorter across the size range, and the headtube a whopping 15mm taller than on the 51cm SLR03 demo bike described earlier. Perhaps the most instructive difference can be found in the fork rake: an enormous 8.4mm longer on the GF02 than the SLR03. BMC’s new endurance bike promises stability by the bucket load.

The specification

There will be three editions of the new GF02 carbon: full helpings of Shimano’s Ultegra, 105, Tiagra groups, respectively. Finishing kit is a uniform BMC-branded aluminum cockpit, and Selle Royal Saba saddle. BMC’s own carbon Compliancepost is a feature of all three machines, and a significant shared feature with the flagship GF01, if our experience is a guide.

Rolling stock varies across the three models, and matches the deployment on the SLR03. The Ultegra-equipped bike rolls on Shimano’s RS11 hoops, while the 105 bike is equipped with the 11-speed compatible WH-RS10, unveiled earlier this year. The Tiagra bike gets Shimano’s R501 – a far from feathery 1900g and perhaps early upgrade territory. More significantly, the wheels of all three machines are shod with Continental Ultrasport tyres in an entirely sensible 28c profile.

The most significant part of the specification, however, is the braking. While the GF01 and the GF02 aluminium offer disc braking, the GF02 carbon is rim brake only: the relevant Shimano unit from each of the three groupsets, though our experience with the Tiagra brake on the SLR03 would leave us seeking an early upgrade.