BMC Roadmachine? 01 or 02? Cervelo R5?
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Also think about a Cervelo R3, which is more endurance orientated than the R5 and therefore similar to the Roadmachine. All are good bikes*, so you just need to decide what suits your most.
*I moved from BMC to Cervelo because I kept finding BMCs suffering from speed wobble. Others have also experienced this, but not everyone. Speed wobble is a major flaw for me, but might simply be down to the unique rider/bike combination, which means it doesn't apply to everyone.0 -
Thanks for your response. I really appreciate you taking the time. Your feedback is certainly interesting because part of why my fitter is recommending is because he feels the stability and durability of the BMC is better than the Cervelo since there are less made and the quality assurance on the manufacturing is better since BMC isn’t “mass produced”. I’ll certainly look at the R3 as well - it seems to be a better price point too. Any comments on buying the bike as “complete” vs. purchasing the frame and customizing component selection afterward?rwoofer said:Also think about a Cervelo R3, which is more endurance orientated than the R5 and therefore similar to the Roadmachine. All are good bikes*, so you just need to decide what suits your most.
*I moved from BMC to Cervelo because I kept finding BMCs suffering from speed wobble. Others have also experienced this, but not everyone. Speed wobble is a major flaw for me, but might simply be down to the unique rider/bike combination, which means it doesn't apply to everyone.
Again - thanks so much for your response. I greatly appreciate it.0 -
If you've got the budget and are competent to do the job yourself or have a good mechanic on tap, then it's usually always preferable to buy a frame and spec it as you want.
If you buy off-the-peg, the manufacturer will inevitably have introduced some compromises in the components to hit a price point. The problem usually lies with the wheelsets on many bikes.
With a self build you can juggle your choice of components and end up with what suits you and your budget best0 -
Having watched Hambini and Raul Leuscher vidéos I wouldn’t touch either! I’m not sure about BMC not being mass produced? I think they’re all made in the Far East in the same factories to different designs and similar QC!
Look have their own factory in Morocco, Giant and I believe Merida? Also have their own factories in Taiwan I think. I also think Factor bikes have their own facilities.
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@OP It depends on how wide a view you take, BMC has a 3 year warranty on their frame compared to Cervelo's lifetime warranty. BMC recently had a safety recall on their Time/Team machines.
Personally I would take a test ride and decide form there, certainly from another posters narrative there's a speed wobble issue? If that's a known issue the bikes shouldn't be for sale IMHO.
Me, I was considering a new bike unit Covid hit so I'm holding off and seeing what deals are around in the Autumn when all the unsold stock is discounted before 2021's new model iterations are out. A new Tarmac is expected.....“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize fishing is stupid and boring”
Desmond Tutu0 -
I'd take Hambini and Raoul with a pinch of salt, they are only usually analysing damaged frames. The vast majority of owners of Cervelos and BMCs never usually experience any issues but you're correct that they don't manufacture their own bikes.yellowv2 said:Having watched Hambini and Raul Leuscher vidéos I wouldn’t touch either! I’m not sure about BMC not being mass produced? I think they’re all made in the Far East in the same factories to different designs and similar QC!
Look have their own factory in Morocco, Giant and I believe Merida? Also have their own factories in Taiwan I think. I also think Factor bikes have their own facilities.
It does make sense then that a brand such as Giant who manufacture their own bikes have a better standard of quality control than other brands who don't, that's despite them being the biggest mass producers of bikes in the world!1 -
Joe, I take your point regarding the Hambini and Leuscher videos, however personally especially the Cervelo Hambini video is very enlightening and would definitely put me off. I believe they were decent frames before the founders sold out to venture capitalists, who did what VC’s do!
Personally I would buy a Giant or Look frame however current designs don’t really float my boat. I prefer a more traditional design and tube shape.0 -
If I had the budget my money would be on one of these
Factor One frameset built up by @markyone detailed in this thread
https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/13107056/factor-one
But if you don't have the cash for a Factor One then they are doing special deals on the O2 frameset. Either the basic frame, fork and headset for £1750 or a premium package which includes stem, seatpost, ceramic speed kit and a "pizza box" of accessories for £2500
https://factorbikes.com/uk/product/o2-frameset-clearance/
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Having bought a complete R3, if buying again I would buy the frameset only. Compared to other framesets it seems relatively good value.pacz said:
Thanks for your response. I really appreciate you taking the time. Your feedback is certainly interesting because part of why my fitter is recommending is because he feels the stability and durability of the BMC is better than the Cervelo since there are less made and the quality assurance on the manufacturing is better since BMC isn’t “mass produced”. I’ll certainly look at the R3 as well - it seems to be a better price point too. Any comments on buying the bike as “complete” vs. purchasing the frame and customizing component selection afterward?rwoofer said:Also think about a Cervelo R3, which is more endurance orientated than the R5 and therefore similar to the Roadmachine. All are good bikes*, so you just need to decide what suits your most.
*I moved from BMC to Cervelo because I kept finding BMCs suffering from speed wobble. Others have also experienced this, but not everyone. Speed wobble is a major flaw for me, but might simply be down to the unique rider/bike combination, which means it doesn't apply to everyone.
Again - thanks so much for your response. I greatly appreciate it.
This review of the BMC roadmachine supports my own view that speed wobble is a bit of an issue:
https://granfondo-cycling.com/review-bmc-roadmachine-01/
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I should have added that I have my Cervelo R3 and a Cannondale SuperSix Evo HM are both from manufacturers that are heavily criticised by Hambini et al. Mine have both been faultless and I heartily recommend. I don't think any manufacturer has perfect QC (not even the aerospace industry), so the important question is how well warranty is handled.0
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I had a Cervelo R3 and I am currently selling my BMC Roadmachine 02 that I bought last year. I’m selling the BMC for the same reason as rwoofer. There is no doubt in my mind that the R3 is a better bike than the BMC. I strongly suggest the R3.0
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not sure about that, I've had 3 bmc's, all very stable on descents. my Italian steed is a bit more twitchy....rwoofer said:
*I moved from BMC to Cervelo because I kept finding BMCs suffering from speed wobble. Others have also experienced this, but not everyone. Speed wobble is a major flaw for me, but might simply be down to the unique rider/bike combination, which means it doesn't apply to everyone.
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As I mentioned, it might be rider dependent as common theories suggest it is a system problem (ie combination of everything). I changed the wheels, stem and handlebar. I also changed the number of spacers from all to none. Nothing got rid of the speed wobble. I am 6'6" so maybe a high centre of gravity in the largest frame size amplified any tendency to wobble.
None of my other bikes show any sign of speed wobble (R3, Supersix, Fairlight Secan, Genesis Equilibrium).0 -
I too have had a several BMCs - 5 to be exact. 2 x SLR01, 1 x GF01, 1 x RM01 and an Alu ALR. No speed wobble on any of them - even in dramatic descents. Maybe it is something to do with the larger frame.rwoofer said:As I mentioned, it might be rider dependent as common theories suggest it is a system problem (ie combination of everything). I changed the wheels, stem and handlebar. I also changed the number of spacers from all to none. Nothing got rid of the speed wobble. I am 6'6" so maybe a high centre of gravity in the largest frame size amplified any tendency to wobble.
None of my other bikes show any sign of speed wobble (R3, Supersix, Fairlight Secan, Genesis Equilibrium).0
