BMC Kaius is the bicycle developed and dedicated to gravel competitionsIt is not a revision and a compromise. It is a brand new project.
The carbon layup is all new and in fact opens the new course linked to the application of composite fibre in the context off-road racingThere are several elements that work together and each of these is designed to maximize performance. The geometry, the stiffness and the low weight, but also the integration and aerodynamicsLet's go into the details of the BMC Kaius.
Gravel Performance Series
And 'the new category of the Swiss company and the Kaius It's the first bicycle to be part of it. The bicycle was designed to be fast, but without sacrificing stability and traction on rough terrain.
The application of the fiber has been specifically developed, making different types of Premium high modulus composite fabric. The result is one very light frame-kit (910 grams declared in size 54, very small if contextualized in the gravel segment) which is positioned in the medium range of the TCC technology (acronym for Race Tuned Concept). The top level is represented by the road Teammachine SLR.
There is a 400 gram fork with a 68mm rake, a seat-post with 160 D-Shape design and a 315 aero cockpit. The sum? 1785 grams for the frame kit.
The key points of the project
BMC Kaius It is developed around the new composite fabric layup, but there is also a dedicated geometry, integration, aerodynamics and versatility.
The geometry features an extended reach which, combined with the fork rake, allows for move the wheel forward. Translated, stability and ease of riding, but also the possibility of using short stems, so as to keep the bike agile even in tight spaces. There is a 42-centimeter wagon in length (value common to all sizes), ensuring optimal traction.
Integration takes on a renewed form thanks to the integrated full carbon cockpit (standard on the 01 One), the fork and the seat-post. The Aero Carbon cockpit has a 12,5° particular flare and which is available in three sizes. The lever section is 360 millimeters wide and has a flat surface. The central section of the curve is 400 millimeters wide, while the terminal section is 420 millimeters. The stem has a negative slope of 15°.
Even the shock absorber stem
The headset seats and fork stem make the bicycle compatible with the stems (handlebar mounts) of the BMC ICS family. In fact, the Two and Three setups feature ICS2 handlebar stems. This category also includes a stem with shock absorbing capacity, namely theMTT handlebar stem with internal elastomer.
The fork stem is not round, to facilitate the passage of the sheaths and without limiting the steering opening radius. A reinforcing foam is inserted inside it, just like the Teamachine SLR.
The concept of integration and aerodynamics it is completed with the two bottle cages (Aerocore design), which are part of the frame and the full carbon seat post with truncated rear profile.
The other details
The BMC Kaius supports single and/or double chainring drivetrains.; the derailleur mount can be removed at will.
It is possible to mount a dropper post with a diameter of 27,2 millimeters, but it is necessary to use the appropriate adapter for the D-Shape seatpost.
The fork and rear end have clearance to accommodate tires up to 44mm. in width. The actual width of the tire is subject to many variables, one of which is the width of the inner rim channel, which is why the tire width data is provided.
Headset spacers are specific to the ICS design, but standard handlebar mounts can also be mounted.
The BMC Kaius is not a bicycle born and borrowed from a bikepacking platformIt does not include mounts for mudguards or bags. The only bag provided is the one on the top tube.
The bottom bracket height is 80mmThis is a lot if we consider the average for the category and it is a deliberate solution to facilitate passage over rocks, drops and particularly difficult terrain to approach. This increased height is parallel to the fact that the drive side sheath is not lowered.
Setups and sizes
There are three installations (One, Two and Three) and are developed on the same frame and fork module, BMC Kaius 01. There are six sizes: 47, 51 and 54, 56, 58 and 61.
One it is the top of the range with the complete BMC frame kit (the one with the white base livery), Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels with rubber Pirelli (Cinturato Gravel H 40) and Sram Red eTap AXS 1×12 transmission. The list price is 11.499 euros, for a bicycle that has a declared weight of 7,4 kilograms (size 54).
Two, it is less expensive than the previous one and brings with it the double plateau of transmissionIt has Zipp 303S wheels, with the same tires as the One, but it has the Sram Force eTap AXS 2×12 drivetrain. Its list price is 8.499 euros, with a declared weight of 8,2 kilograms.
BMC Kaius 01 ThreeIt's not an entry-level bike, not because of its price and its features. It has a Sram Rival eTap AXS 2×12 drivetrain and CRD40 wheels with Pirelli tires. The list price is €8.499, with a declared weight of 8,9 kilograms.
First impressions
Assuming that we will dedicate a space (later) to the in-depth test of the Kaius, the initial feedback makes us compare this bicycle to a high-level racing road bike.
Kaius is not the right bike for everyone who wants to do gravel, it is not a bike for picnics and walks, but it is a bike with advanced solutions and that invites you to open the throttle. It's not a bikepacking bike.
One of its biggest advantages is the geometry, that theIt invites you to distribute your body weight in an optimal and almost natural way, right from the first pedal strokes, a factor that perfectly matches the great usability of the vehicle and its potential. The riding position makes the difference. It's a very fast bike on compact terrain, on the asphalt and allows you to change pace in an instant.
There is a short and compact steering tube, a rigid handlebar. The bike, however, is not a wild horse, and it doesn't become one even on those sections bordering on XC singletrack. It takes a bit of skill. You can feel it has racing DNA, yet it's fun in an almost unexpected way.
