2017 BMC Teamelite 01 Frameset

When the BMC UCI mountain bike team talks, BMC listens. The team is essential in the development and advancement of BMC bikes, and they approached the engineers with a request. They wanted added vertical compliance on the rear end. The answer is this all-new BMC Teamelite 01 Frameset.

The team, which has won and won and won at the World Cup level with this bike, felt the geometry was dialed and the drivetrain efficiency excellent. But they wanted more compliance so they didn’t have to further lower tire pressure on rocky, rooty terrain without moving to the Fourstroke. The engineers had some ideas. In two weeks, they had a working prototype for the team to test. After some more refining, they have this new 2016 Teamelite platform, which the team is racing. And winning on.

The geometry is the same as the old Teamelite: no reason to change what works. It’s a nimble 29er, which doesn’t feel like the wheels are unwieldy. The lateral stiffness is the same, so they can charge over hills as easily. The shaping of the rear triangle has been refined, with forms and curves very similar to what BMC developed for the SLR bikes. The big change happens where the seatstays join the seat tube. There, you’ll find a damper between the top of the stays and the frame. The damper slides on bushings that cover two hex-head bolts. Each of these elements is important as the frame comes with three different dampers to tune the compliance you experience o the trail. This is MTT, Micro Travel Technology, and it brings 15mm of plush to your ride.

The cost of this technology, which translates into added speed on the trail, is 90g. Taking the frame from 990g up to 1080g. But, as with the 29er wheels this bike runs, the added compliance means you have an easier time rolling over the rough stuff.

BMC did more to keep the bike on the front of tech advances. The rear end is now designed for 12x142mm thru-axles. The cables run internally, and BMC has applied their DTI dual technology (electronic or mechanical) to the runs. Plugs and stops are included, and if you go electronic, you run the battery inside the included BMC carbon Compliancepost that possesses 5mm of offset.

The bike features the BB92 bottom bracket standard for maximum design flexibility and drivetrain stiffness. Because of the size of the BB shell, BMC has integrated a chain catcher in front of the BB and a chain suck plate behind it. Lateral stiffness is enhanced by the 1 1/8” to 1 1/2” tapered headset. They recommend a fork with 100mm of travel. The rear brake mounts on their natural-born postmount system, which accommodates 140-160mm rotors.

BMC also expanded the size options for the Teamelite line. There are now five sizes instead of the old three.

The BMC Teamelite 01 Frameset. Its grip on things is better than ever.

Bottom Bracket Type Pressfit BB92 Required

Fork 1 1/8" - 1 1/2" Tapered Required

Frame Material Carbon, MTT 29

Front Derailleur Type Direct Mount

Headset 1 1/8" - 1 1/2" Tapered Required

Rear Suspension None

Seatpost 27.2mm Required