BMC

Road Racer SL01/Shimano Ultegra Complete Bike - 2012

Whether you're looking to upgrade or purchase your first race-level bicycle, the BMC Road Racer SL01/Shimano Ultegra Complete Bike balances performance and budget, to leave some scratch for gear too. Full carbon construction provides stiffness under power, yet it's compliant for comfort. The technology packed Road Racer SL01 effortlessly accelerates, turns with precision, and dampens road imperfections. Top off those riding traits with the smooth-shifting, Shimano Ultegra Group and you're riding a top-performing machine.

BMC uses the latest carbon manufacturing processes to fine tune the Road Racer SL01's tubing into weight, strength, and aerodynamically optimized profiles. These minute modifications allow stiffness where it's needed without causing the Road Racer to ride like a spine-jarring jackhammer. Take a look at the down tube and seat tube. At the bottom bracket junction, they're as wide as possible. Ditto with the chainstays where they connect to the bottom bracket, they're as tall as the shell -- it'd be impossible to go any larger. Toss a leg over this BMC and expect to feel race-winning power transfer.

The Road Racer SL01 employs BMC's Integrated Skeleton Concept (ISC) where the seat stays join the seat and top tubes in a distinctive manner. Aside from screaming 'BMC' in a peloton, this design ensures that road shock is transferred into the axis of the top tube, sending stress to the strongest part of the frame -- the streamlined head tube. Here, a tapered, integrated headset houses an oversized lower bearing for the compliant, yet stiff BMC SE48 SL TP carbon fork to spin around. This combination gives the Road Racer SL01 excellent steering precision for confident tracking through fast corners.

The Road Racer SL01 has been paired with a complete Shimano Ultegra 6700-G component group, including either a 50/34 compact or 53/39 standard crank. Other details include Easton's EA30 alloy handlebar with EA70 stem. DT Swiss provides the rims, hubs, and spokes naturally culminating in the DT R-1650 Wheelset. They're stout enough for everyday training, but aero and light enough for race day. You'll also get Continental Ultra Race 700c x 23mm clincher tires. If you're looking for a serious race bike to get you through multiple seasons of racing, the Road Racer would be an excellent choice.

The BMC Road Racer SL01/Shimano Ultegra Complete Bike is available in Red and comes in five sizes -- 48, 51, 54, 57, and 60cm.