Devin Zoller
The name says it all, really. This bike delivers, should you need such an
activity. Here's a pretty florid description of the awesomeness:
The first thing that hits you about the *Pro Machine SLC 01* is how gorgeous
it is as pure sculpture -- it's possibly the most artful carbon bike we've
ever seen. The whole frame is carbon -- dropouts, headset cups, seat collar,
*everything *(well, except the BB shell, which by necessity has to be
alloy). *BMC* pulled this off by working with Easton to utilize their CNT
nanotechnology carbon manufacturing techniques. Nanotechnology specifically
addresses the fact that the weak link in carbon fiber frames isn't the
carbon itself. It's the resin matrix (think of it as the glue that holds the
carbon layers together) that has potential vulnerabilities. CNT is short for
"Carbon Nanotubes", and it's the process of adding microscopically small
carbon tubes to the resin to give it entirely new material properties.
It's reasonable to be curious about carbon fiber's ability to resist impact
forces (i.e. how well the downtube can withstand the impact when you
mis-time a bunny hop over a railroad bed or manhole cover at 30mph+). And
it's reasonable to be curious about its ability to resist crushing forces
(i.e. when you tighten a skewer on carbon dropouts or tighten your headset
when the bearing cups are carbon). While the carbon fiber used in the Pro
Machine is no different than what *BMC* uses in the Team Machine, CNT
nanotechnology strengthens the resin matrix to such an extent that
*BMC*deems the Pro Machine "the safest, most durable carbon bike on
the market."
Given that it weighs sub-1000g in size 55cm, that's an impressive statement.
The Pro Machine is built using lugged construction. The lugs are perhaps the
*longest* you'll ever see on a carbon frame. Why? Because the tube/lug
interfaces aren't located at the highly stressed tube junctures. Instead BMC
positions them in relatively low stress areas -- exactly where you'd see the
wall thickness of a butted tube transition from thick to thin. This holds
true for every lug on the frame. It maximizes the strength of the frame
while allowing for the main tubes of the frame to be built with absolute
lightness.
Another detail we love is the Integrated Skeleton seat cluster. It improves
the shock damping effect of the Pro Machine while (yet again) shaving every
gram possible. One other eye-catching detail is the mammoth chainstay
profile -- they're breathtaking tallness is one final measure to increase
frame stiffness. It's in these areas (which have great structural import)
that the BMC is most beautiful to behold. Artful indeed.
The Pro Machine comes with an Easton EC90 SLX full carbon fork, and FSA
integrated headset, and an Easton EC70 full carbon seatpost. It requires the
use of a 35.0mm front derailleur and an English bottom bracket.
Bla, bla, bla. And furthermore- it's all designed and tested by Swiss
Uber-Humans!
*Here's the build details:*
Size: 51
Full Shimano 7800 group- braze on FD with the clamp, 11-23 cassette,
172.50mm cranks, 7900 chain.
Chris King bottom bracket- black in colour.
PRO Vibe stem- 120mm in length.
Aerus Ultra Wing handlebar- 42cm in width.
Handlebar tape- black in colour, squishy in feel.
Unlike the pictures, it has a Selle Italia SLR Ass-Hatchet saddle- hard and
unforgiving in feel.
Shimano WH-7850 SL wheels- practically brand new, no brake wear (they only
slow you down,) with skewers and wheel bags.
Continental Gatorskin tires- 23mm front, 25mm rear.
EXTRAS: Tacx Tao bottle cage, Random silver bottle cage, Thompson Elite 31.6
straight seatpost for ultra cannonball positioning.
Pedals- not included.
Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26831049@N00/
It resides in SE Portland, and I'm not interested in shipping it unless you
want to make it worth my while. Send me an email!