BMC Fourstroke FS01 – On Test: by c_g
Editor’s Note: Earlier this year, our European contributor, c_g, attended BMC’s roll out of its all new Fourstroke 29 inch wheeled bike dubbed the FS01. You can check ou c_g’s report from that Press Launch here. Make sure to go back and read that post to learn all about the technologies and sub models announced at that launch. Furthermore; c_g was able to test ride the FS01 on some fine mountain trails and reported on his First Ride Impressions here. While this may be all that is required by some, c_g felt a longer test ride period was warranted by the Fourstroke FS01, and BMC has granted his request for a more lengthy test period. Here now is his brief re-introduction to the BMC Fourstroke FS01.
BMC Fourstroke FS01
By its 100 travel front and rear the Fourstroke 01 falls square into the XC-/Race crowd, but BMC had more in mind when designing the bike. Details like the integrated mount on the chain stay for a chain guide, designing the frame ready for a Reverb stealth dropper post, equipping it stock with a SHIMANO Shadow Plus rear derailleur and 180 mm XTR discs clearly indicate that they wanted to include a more aggressive riding style and enduro racing (which we know at least one of the BMC engineers are competing in on a high level) when developing the FS01.
As our first ride impressions back then indicate – this goal had been well met, which for us has been reason enough to invite the FS01 for a full review on our home trails (and potentially some alpine rides if the opportunity arises) rather than only one day of riding.
Our test sample size M came in an (almost) complete production trim – a full XTR-drive train (like mentioned before: with a Shadow Plus derailleur) and XTR-brakes (front and rear with 180mm discs), EASTON EA90 XC wheels, high end EASTON cockpit and seat post, ONZA Canis 2.25 tires, plus a FIZIK Arione Carbon saddle. The rear shock is a production Factory Series Kashima CTD, but on the front our sample had a more simple Performance Series F32 (100 mm).
The complete bike, (in the named spec above), weighed 11.15 kg, (or 24.6 lbs, which is quite a bit heavier than the stated 10.38kg / 22.9lbs, but the spec chart states the CONTI Race-Kings as stock tires).
For the FS01´s geometry see the bike´s presentation post here.
We are already putting trail time on the BMC FS01, so stay tuned for our first ride impressions soon.
RIDE ON,
c_g
Update: We have learned that U.S. pricing for the BMC Fourstroke FS01 will be MSRP:$8499.00USD
I think I got my bike 12 months too early (Carbon HT) with all these magic FS 29ers coming out now – not being able to ride as much as I was last year I would love the easier ride of a dually..
Very cool looking bike. Interested in hearing more about it!
Could be interessting to check out how it handles with a 120 fork, considering the rest of the provisions for trail use.
Quite disappointing to see the actual weight. I was all but committed to the X0 version of this bike but in size L with pedals I’m probably looking at close to 25 lbs. That’s pretty heavy for such a pricey, full-carbon bike with high end parts. Guess I’ll have to think about the Epic Marathon again…
It’s strange that the test bike is so “heavy” considering the frame should be really light?
Xizor I was thinking the same thing. BMC claimed 2040g for the frame, shock and hardware. Compare this to the weight of an S-Works Epic frame which we know comes out a lot lighter as a complete bike in XTR trim, and I don’t understand how the bike is coming out so heavy. I guess BMC’s weight claims were just grossly inaccurate, both for the complete bike and for the frame. As c_g said, the bike has the heavier Onza tires instead of the Conti Race Kings, but that would only knock off about .6 lbs or so, leaving it well over the claimed weight. There’s a good bit of weight to be lost in the wheels, so it should be possible to get it into the 23′s with pedals, but I was hoping it’d be lighter.
I’ve been riding the 2012 SF29 all this year at 26.5 lbs, and the weight has really been my only complaint, I love the bike otherwise. Tons of fun, handles great and pedals well.
@ Andrew & Xizor: I wouldn´t get hung up on the complete bike´s weight to much – like I stated, the bike came with the > 800 g ONZA Canis tires and standard tubes. Put in the Conti Race Kings (that I have stated in my spec sheet) with lightweight tubes (or even converted tubeless) and you get very close to what the “claimed weight” of the bike is.
From my info the claimed frame weight is 2040 g (incl. shock), which by my standards IS really light.
@ Simenf: If time and components permit, I will try a 120 mm fork. By first ride impressions I would´t hesitate to give it a try. To my info there is even one model planned to come stock with 120 mm forks … but I will verify.
Thanks for the feedback C_G. I agree, 2040g frame weight is REALLY light, I was just questioning if it was accurate. I didn’t realize the tires were that heavy. The “Eurobike 2012: Tire Report Part 2″ post said they were 590g, while the Onza website says they’re 700g. If they’re ~800g then that would really explain the heavy weight.
My plan is the FS01 X0, with Roval Control SL wheels and lighter tires run tubeless (probably Ron/Ralph combo). If the frame weight is accurate, that should come out to a pretty light bike. Eh? 160mm rotors and a better cassette will take off close to another half pound, also.
Re: 120mm fork, there is indeed a “Trailcrew” version with a carbon front triangle and a 120mm fork. http://www.bmc-racing.com/int-en/bikes/2013/mountainbike/model/fourstroke/fs02-29/trailcrew.html
@ Andrew: Thanks for the info and feedback. I weighed the two Canis samples mounted on the test mule and they were 810 & 815 g, tubes were 200 and 185 g …. so this takes quite a bit burden off the frame weight discussion. I likely won´t take the frame apart completely to verify the accuracy of the claimed 2040 g. As it is it is lightweight enough for me
to me it is more important HOW it rides – which is what I´ll let you know in the first impressions soon.
Thanks again C_G. Wow those tires are heavy. I assume they’re the 120tpi model? Can’t imagine what the 60tpi model would weigh. By my calcs the bike should go into the 22′s with a light wheelset and reasonable tires. That works.
With some dietary discipline I lost 1000grams in 2 months. My next bike can have some discount components now.
Can you compare this BMC to a Superfly 100? Which one climbs better ,would be a better race bike etc.? Thank You
To offer an additional datapoint to those interested in this bike, my size Large FS01 with the X0 build was 24.51 lbs out of the box with tubes and test pedals. I weighed the Onza Canis tires at 628g and 648g, not sure of the reason for the large difference between mine and the samples C_G had.
Stunning looks!