Earlier today we shared one of the most triathlon specific bikes ever created. But we know not every athlete wants a bike that can only be used between T1 and T2. Others prefer the option to challenge themselves in the race of truth – just them against the clock. And just a little bit ago, BMC shared what they believe should be their bike of choice – the new Timemachine.

The 2017 BMC Timemachine

The last Timemachine knew how to win. In fact, if you watch the first minute of the video below, you realize it knew how to win a lot – in both triathlon and road cycling.

But you cannot just expect to keep wining without innovating. Sooner or later, something new is going to give another company’s athletes an edge. And BMC wasn’t about to let that happen. They started with a formula – Vmax = p2p * sub^A. In non-BMC speak, it says that maximum velocity is achieved through providing riders with cockpit adjustability for creating sustainable aerodynamic positions times an integrated aerodynamics system, leading to optimum performance in any wind condition.

To achieve cockpit adjustability for creating sustainable aerodynamic positions BMC started with the cockpit – or rather they started with two cockpits. The V-Cockpit (spec on all complete bikes – frameset optional) offers optimal aerodynamic performance for taller pad stack dimensions, while the forward-offset promotes vertical compliance.

The patented V-Cockpit minimizes aerodynamic losses resulting from taller pad stack configurations. The system is capable of optimizing pad stack in the range of 590mm – 705mm

The Flat-Cockpit offers the maximum aerodynamic advantage, letting riders attain the lowest possible pad stack configurations. (The Flat-Cockpit is not included with complete bikes and is intended for TT or minimum stack usage. For time trial athletes subject to UCI rules and regulations, the V-Cockpit may exceed standard cockpit measurement guidelines).

The Flat-Cockpit is capable of optimizing pad stack in the range of 530mm – 670mm. The Flat-Cockpit base bar can be mounted in two positions, pointing downward or upward. The driving parameter to choose your position is the base bar altitude – depending on the combination of your discipline, riding style, and pad height. The difference on base bar altitude is 80mm between the two positions.

At the rear of the bike is the dual-mount seatpost. The seatpost has two mounting positions, with multiple hardware mounts – totaling 124mm of possible fore-aft adjustment and a 71.5° – 80.8° effective seattube.

Four mounting holes allow 62mm adjustment per post and 120mm of range with overlap.

The forward mounting option enables the use of a storage box.

Speaking of storage, the Timemachine also features top tube fuel box mounts, and down tube dual-mount bottle cage options add up to a dedicated triathlon weapon.

To create an integrated aerodynamics system leading to optimum performance in any wind condition, BMC started a three-year partnership with Sauber Engineering. The results are 3:1 tubes with truncated profiles, crosswind-stable tube shapes, hinge-fork design, a super-lean frontal area, and maximum integration overall.

To handle your stopping requirements, BMC has equipped the Timemachine with standard rim-mounted brakes, but they have added a little trick. Brake Booster Technology increases the brake-lever-pull to caliper-free-stroke ratio, ensuring the brake pads provide sufficient clearance at times of wheel flex. The system also allows for the complete disconnection of the cockpit (when paired with electronic shifting options) for travel purposes. A huge benefit considering the size and shape of the V-Cockpit.

The brakes also feature Quick-Pad Technology that gives riders the ability to have two (or more) pre-assembled brake cartridge hardware sets. This creates an easy transition from race-day wheels to training wheels. Swap the cartridge and go for a ride.

The rear features horizontal, adjustable dropouts to get your tire as close to the frame as possible. Maximum supported tire width is 27mm.

Sizing

The Timemachine will be available in four sizes – S, M-S, M-L, and L. Full geometry is below:

Builds

We are still waiting final confirmation on the launch builds. But at the moment we believe there will actually be two complete builds and a frameset (we had previously reported three builds). The Timemachine 01 eTap will retail for $10,999 and gets a complete Red eTap groupset paired with Zipp 404 Firecrest / Zipp 808 Firecrest wheels (on Continental GP 4K2 rubber). You get the V-Cockpit with Profile Design T4+ carbon extensions and a Fizik Tritone manganese saddle.

There will also be Timemachine 01 Ultegra Di2 build. The wheels will be Mavic CXR Elite Exalith paired with Mavic Yksion Pro, 25mm tires. Like the eTap you get the V-Cockpit with Profile Design T4+ carbon extensions and a Fizik Tritone manganese saddle. Pricing will be $8,499.

For those looking for a TT setup (or for those who just want to build their own perfect speed machine) there is the Timemachine 01 Red frameset at $6,999. The frameset comes with the V-Cockpit, though the Flat-Cockpit is optional.

A final build with Shimano DuraAce Di2 (R9100) is coming with an included powermeter. Pricing and eta are TBD as of now.

Our Thoughts

Where the new Cervélo is a lot to take in at first glance, the Timemachine is much more traditional. But in that traditional look are a whole host of good ideas. The new cockpit is optimized to not only allow a large range of adjustability, but to also travel easily (in conjunction with the brake booster). Rear storage is becoming fairly common place (Trek, QR, and Orbea all do it), but that just shows that good ideas tend to get emulated.

We really like the Quick-Pad Technology to make wheel swaps a breeze. If you are like us and change wheels often, or just have a set of training and race day wheels, this kind of small detail will do wonders (even more so if you travel to your race with two wheel sets).

We are a little hung up on the price – $10,999 for the complete eTap with Zipp wheels feels about right when compared to other top of the line builds. But $6,999 for just the frameset seems excessive (you could buy the Ultegra Di2 build and sell the parts and wheels and end up ahead). But considering where we have seen prices going the past year, we aren’t that surprised.

Like the Cervélo, we haven’t had a chance to have it out on the roads quite yet, so we don’t have first ride impressions. Additionally, BMC hasn’t shared full aero data, so nothing to report on that as of yet either. But stay tuned as we await to hear more about the Timemachine and the other new products coming out of Kona. And as soon as we have aero data and first ride impressions, we will make sure to share that as well.