BMC GranFondo GF01: comfort and speed in one

Comfort racers are more popular than ever. On the one hand this may be due to their versatility, but on the other hand also to the relaxed riding feeling that they still convey even after several hours in the saddle.

//Equipment and practice

Also the BMC Gran Fondo GF01 belongs in this category. And the Swiss comfort racer not only comes in its well-known striking design, but also well equipped.

Behind the design is BMCs Tuned compliance concept, which should be used to optimize the carbon processing in all areas of the frame-fork set.

This is evident on the front Gran Fondo GF01 characterized by a tapered head tube and a fork with a decent trail. The relatively flat top tube slopes backwards and, in combination with the slim seat tube, conveys a pleasantly sporty but equally cushioned seating position. The bulbous down tube and the expansive bottom bracket area give the bike a good degree of rigidity. BMC also continues the concept of thin and wider shapes on the rear triangle. What is particularly remarkable here are the relatively low seat stays. Together with the other tubes, these result in a comfort racer that calls the race track its home. And that certainly applies to drivers of both sexes!

It was impressive from the first moment Gran Fondo GF01 with a very direct propulsion. On the one hand, this is due to the stiff bottom bracket area, but on the other hand it is also due to the geometry, which gives the bike a very comfortable, yet race-oriented, agile character.

The comfort of the bike is particularly noticeable in the area of the seat post and seat stays. The one made by BMC compliance post-Prop, on the one Alliances by fi'zi:k is enthroned, pleasantly cushions every bump on rough ground. The damping behavior is supported from the ground up by the seat stays, which end in raised dropouts and thus guarantee good flex.

The components installed by BMC also contribute to the positive driving experience. That's how Shimano's electronic Ultegra Di2-Group reliable work at all times. The chain glides quickly and precisely over the individual sprockets of the cassette, which features a gradation from 11 to 32 teeth. Together with the compact translation of 50/34 teeth, this offers Gran Fondo GF01 The driver has an enormous range of uses, but a cassette with a smaller sprocket spread would be even better for shifting comfort.

On the other hand, there is no need to worry about them ultegra-Make stoppers. These have the aluminum flanks of the Easton RT-Wheels always under control. The wheels themselves impress with their smooth rolling behavior. For this one also wears the slightly wider one Grand Prix-Tires from Continental Sorge, the only drawback of which seems to be the volume, climbs and fast corners.

At the front is with parts of the E70series uses a handlebar-stem combination that also comes from Easton. In terms of length and width, this is very well chosen in relation to the frame height. The sporty character that BMC has incorporated into the bike despite the focus on comfort is underlined here. Although the compact shape of the handlebars may not be for everyone, it offers enough grip positions.

//Conclusion

The BMC Gran Fondo GFo1 is, as the name suggests, first and foremost a bike for long-distance races for everyone. Thanks to its agile and direct driving behavior, it also leaves a very good impression over shorter distances and should therefore make daily training and criteria a real pleasure. Only the tires should perhaps be changed for this. Although like that Gran Fondo GFo1 lose some of its excellent comfort, but the forward thrust of the bike would be good in these cases. That being said, you get with the Gran Fondo GFo1 a bike that you don't want to give up anytime soon.