Timemachine

road4000–15000 EUR

Origin

The BMC Timemachine is BMC's flagship aerodynamic road and time trial platform, first introduced around 2010. It has evolved significantly over the years, with distinct iterations for both road racing (often referred to as Timemachine Road) and dedicated time trial/triathlon (Timemachine TT/Tri). The platform is renowned for its aggressive aerodynamic integration, advanced carbon fiber construction, and focus on rider positioning for maximum speed. It has been ridden to numerous victories in professional road races, including Grand Tour stages and one-day classics, as well as major triathlon events. The current generation continues to push the boundaries of aerodynamic design and adjustability, making it a top choice for performance-oriented cyclists seeking a competitive edge.

Specifications

Frame: Full carbon monocoque aero frame; BMC subA aero shaping (3:1 length-to-width truncated tube profiles, turbulence-reducing Tripwire edges) with Tuned Compliance Concept on the road version. Road 01 frame ~980 g, fork ~410 g; full frameset ~2.31 kg
Weight: kg
Drivetrain: Build-dependent. Road 01: Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 (52-36 / 11-30) or SRAM Rival/Force/Red eTap AXS 12-speed wireless; TT/Tri: Dura-Ace Di2 or SRAM eTap AXS with TT-specific shifters
Brakes: Hydraulic disc on current generation. Road 01: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 disc 160/140 mm or SRAM Rival eTap AXS HRD 160/160 mm. Early/UCI TT builds used rim brakes (covered rear, exposed front)
Wheels: Deep-section aero carbon, tubeless-ready. Road 01: DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 62 (~60 mm) or BMC CRD-501 50 mm depth, depending on build/year

The verdict

+Strengths

Genuinely fast in a straight line — aerodynamics carry a noticeable share of the workload at speed
Best-in-class integration: aero bar/stem, internally routed cables, integrated Aero Module storage box and aero bottle system
Excellent power transfer and stiff, surging acceleration from the top-tier carbon frame
Stable and confident at high speed and in crosswinds (within reason)
Highly adjustable positioning — multiple seatpost setback options (road) and large fore/aft range on the TT/Tri P2P post

−Weaknesses

Heavy for an aero road bike — ~8.7 kg on the SRAM Rival build is well above lighter rivals
Firm, unforgiving ride on rough roads; comfort sacrificed for stiffness and aero
Sluggish, less agile handling at low speeds due to the aero-biased geometry
Proprietary 25.23 mm ICS cockpit clamp severely limits aftermarket handlebar/stem compatibility
Narrow rims cap tire clearance at 28 mm, limiting versatility; deep 60 mm rims are twitchy in strong side winds
Very expensive (flagship builds €11,999; mid build ~£6,200) relative to similarly equipped competitors