“It’s not a bike for ordinary cyclists.” That’s according to the Swiss brand itself. The novel BMC Timemachine Mpc. makes no compromises and doesn’t shy away from pushing boundaries.
The fourth generation of this time trial bike, developed in collaboration with Tudor Pro Cycling Team, had a clear goal: speed and maximum performance with a 3% reduction in aerodynamic drag across the bike and rider system. BMC claims to have exceeded this target, achieving a 3.7% improvement. The company states that for a rider outputting 450 watts, this translates to a speed of 55.7 km/h instead of 55 km/h. This level of aerodynamic refinement reflects the increasing importance of marginal gains in professional cycling.
BMC worked closely with Tudor’s innovation team to develop and test the bike in a wind tunnel and through real-world riding. Kurt Bergin-Taylor, head of innovation at Tudor Pro Cycling, noted that their team brought “specific knowledge in aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, parametric design, testing methodologies, and real-world validation.”
The redesign was prompted by the Tudor Pro Cycling team’s request for a 3% overall drag reduction, encompassing both the bike and the rider. Average speeds in professional time trials are now approaching 60 km/h, leading BMC to rethink its approach, as its 2023 Speedmachine was optimized for speeds around 45 km/h. The company focused on minimizing drag at lower yaw angles, similar to those experienced on a track bike.
The bike features bold shapes that push the limits of UCI regulations.
Four teams guided the development of the new BMC Timemachine Mpc:
- The BMC Impec Lab team led by Stefan Christ;
- The Tudor Pro Cycling Sports Innovation team led by Kurt Bergin-Taylor;
- BMC management, represented by CEO John Glett;
- Tudor Pro Cycling Team owner, Fabian Cancellara.
The focus was on reducing aerodynamic drag (3%) solely through the frame kit.
Following a well-established design process, engineers first combined the strengths of three BMC models dedicated to speed:
- Timemachine 01 Gen. 3;
- Trackmachine 01 Gen. 2 (track);
- Speedmachine 01, the triathlon/time trial model introduced in 2023 and optimized for speeds around 45 km/h.
Through a holistic approach based on the interaction between bike and rider (AeroSynthesis), BMC identified a frame of reference and a virtual model for CFD simulations and subsequent prototyping.
The construction of a 3D-printed alloy model (pictured below), robust enough to be ridden, served as the basis for approving every technical choice.
The BMC Timemachine Mpc. Features a compact steerer tube and Halo+ fork head, maximizing the width allowed by UCI regulations.
The headset reduces stress on the bearings, and the left fork SpeedTilt is designed to guide airflow around the brake caliper.
Above the new FlowSpine base bar, featuring drop handlebars reminiscent of airplane turbines, are SRAM brake levers.
The rear end features large PayloadFins, another distinctive feature of the BMC Timemachine Mpc.
These large dimensions remain hidden behind the rider’s legs and stabilize turbulent airflow.
