BMC Granfondo GF02 105 (2013)

The BMC GF02 105 is BMC's take on the endurance/sportive bike category, joining the likes of Specialized and Trek in offering a more comfortable bike which can also be raced. Its carbon big brother – the GF01 – was developed with the northern classics in mind and has been raced there with success under the likes of Thor Hushovd and Taylor Phinney. Evidently, the race pedigree is there, but what remains to be seen is how this translates to the cheaper aluminium framed 02.

For a full rundown of the GF02s technical specs, see the 'Just In' feature. In brief, the GF02 is made from a heavily shaped tripled butted 6000-series alloy, and features some eye-catching kinks to add compliance to what is traditionally seen as a 'harsh' material. The 105 model tested comes complete with a full (no substitutions) Shimano 105 groupset and R-501 wheels, also from the big S. Cockpit duties are handled by a mix of Easton and BMC's own 'compliance post' while Continental Ultra Sport tyres keep everything rolling.

As expected, the slacker headtube angle (about 1 degree slacker across all sizes) and increased wheelbase produce a bike that is noticeably slower handling than a typical out and out race bike. For the cobbles of Flanders, and indeed, most UK roads, the increased stability is welcomed and enables you to enjoy the ride a little more. This stability really shines through when descending down steep and rough roads that often leave twitchier bikes feeling downright dangerous.

When pressed into racing duties, the GF02 performs admirably well. Sure, it doesn't possess the instant responses of a true race bike, but it was easy to adapt to the handling and the different steering input required. Indeed, I found that the learning curve was much shallower going from a race bike to the GF02 than the other way around.

While the mismatch between the oversized front triangle and the spindly seat stays might not be everyone's cup of tea aesthetically, there's no doubting the drivetrain stiffness that results from the large diameter tubes. I raced the GF02 on a number of occasions and never felt that I was losing any power through frame flex. It certainly ticks the race-ready box from this point of view.

Up front, the tall (but not overly so) headtube is oversized at the lower bearing race, which is matched by an equally stout fork crown. Coupled with the increased wheelbase, the GF02 was a lot of fun when carving around hairpin turns.

How it fares on the comfort front is a little harder to pin down. That said, it's safe to say that most of the credit for the smooth ride – and it is smooth – has to go to the 28mm Ultra Sport tyres. It's unusual to find such high volume tyres specified as standard, but they fit perfectly with the GF02's intended usage. For day-to-day riding they are simply miles better than 23mm or even 25mm tyres.

While specifying 'own-brand' finishing kit is usually seen as a cost cutting measure, BMC's proprietary 'compliance post' lives up to its name, damping higher frequency vibrations in the way well-designed carbon fibre does. The offset head provides some degree of flex for taking the sting out of larger hits, but this isn't as noticeable as the reduced road chatter. As an added bonus, the two bolt seatpost head makes it really easy to adjust saddle angle.

Swapping in my standard 23mm training tyres (Michelin Krylion Carbons), and a cheap aluminium seatpost revealed just how much these two factors contribute to comfort in the saddle. Perhaps the best thing about the frame design is that it will happily accept 28mm tyres whilst still maintaining some degree of raceability.

An unintended consequence of the kinky (gettit?) seat stays and fork is that they make it hard (impossible in some cases) to fit clip-on mudguards. The GF02 doesn't include eyelets for 'guards which seems like a bit of an oversight to me, and clip-on options such as the Crud Raceguards are typically less adjustable and can't accommodate the odd angles and tube positions.

When it comes to fit, the shorter reach and longer headtube yield a position which is more likely to suit the vast majority of riders, who don't have the flexibility or the desire to ride as long and low as the pros. I've ridden bikes this size which much taller headtubes and many with shorter headtubes, and the GF02 seems to strike a good balance between these extremes. A quick glance at the BMC Racing Team's bikes when lined up for the spring classics proves that it's still possible to achieve an aggressively low front end should you wish, you'll just have to use a -17 degree stem or similar.

The full 105 groupset is good to see and has proved its performance and reliability over a few years now. That being said, a number of other bikes in this price range manage to incorporate some Ultegra level components into the spec, even if it's only a rear derailleur. Others offer a similar spec only attached to a carbon frame, though it goes without saying that a carbon frame doesn't necessarily make it 'better'.

The eagle-eyed among you will notice the inclusion of a medium cage rear derailleur, which is required to shift the 11-32 cassette. The 34x32 small gear will be a welcome sight for many and it certainly won me over when having to tackle a 1 mile at 10% climb just to get in on my commute every day.

The wheels are another area where the spec could have been improved for better value. The Shimano R-501 wheels are true workhorses, and in my many years riding on them I've never once had to true a set, but they are very heavy and deaden the ride a great deal. I've previously mentioned the fact that the GF02 is quite happy toeing a start line, but if planning on racing regularly, a wheel upgrade should be the first item on the list.

Verdict

Comfortable ride and upright position with race worthy stiffness and handling.