BMC Twostroke 2021: High-end hardtail for everyone

Product news / MTB: BMC heralds a new hardtail era with the Twostroke. The newcomer replaces the venerable team elite and combines the demands of professionals with those of ambitious hobby riders. We looked at the data of the new BMC Twostroke 2021.

In the past 10-15 years, MTB hardtails have been caught in a peculiar tension between entry-level and high-end. On the one hand, they were the perfect entry-level bikes for sporty riders: inexpensive, low-maintenance and relatively light. At the same time, however, they were also the ultimate high-end sports equipment for World Cups and the like: light, efficient and less prone to defects. Manufacturers mastered this balancing act with different frameworks, orientations and approaches.

Would you like even more top hardtails? Check out our top 10 for 2021!

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In the past two or three years, however, things have changed, especially at the highest level. The increasingly demanding routes in the XC World Cup, at world and European championships and even at marathon events such as the Cape Epic made the pros more and more reach for the fully. These have now been able to make up for many of the disadvantages compared to their unsprung counterparts and are usually the better choice at the highest level.

Durable, suitable for trails, affordable: The race bike for "normal people"

This development could also be observed at BMC: professionals and ambitious amateurs are increasingly turning to the fully in their portfolio, the Fourstroke. But what does that mean for the hardtail in the portfolio, the team leader? Well, Team Elite is history (for now). But: BMC has a long tradition in racing hardtails and would like to continue it: With the BMC Twostroke.

The new Twostroke is also a race-oriented hardtail, but some compromises that were made with bikes like the Teamelite in favor of the pros were now made in favor of the everyday racer. Example frame weight: At 1.037g, the carbon frame is light, but not the lightest in its class. This was a conscious decision, because: The designers wanted to construct a durable, robust frame that can withstand a serious fall without structural damage.

But regardless of whether you are a professional or a hobby rider: the demands on hardtails off-road are higher than ever before; BMC has therefore given the Twostroke an extremely modern geometry optimized for trail use. The steering angle is very slack at 67° and, together with the long main frame and rather short stem, means that even steep descents can be mastered without any problems. In order not to take away the necessary liveliness from the bike, the chainstays are very short at 425mm.

Bye bye MTT: D-shape support displaces elastomers

BMC fans will immediately notice the lack of MTT elastomers in the rear triangle; the predecessor Teamelite drew its very high level of comfort from this feature developed by the Confederates, among other things. The fact that the Twostroke can keep up with its predecessor in terms of comfort is mainly due to the D-shape seat post, which is installed in the three top models of the BMC Twostroke. This has already proven itself on the Roadmachine racing bike or the Urs gravel bike. Due to its special shape, it flexes noticeably and dampens vibrations, but also requires a special saddle tube shape. However, so that you can also use regular seat posts, each BMC Twostroke comes with an appropriate adapter. In addition, the frame is also prepared for a retractable seat post with internal routing.

And otherwise? As the name already suggests, the Twostroke is optically very clearly based on its Fully counterpart, the Fourstroke. Angular tubes, clean optics - a big step from the more classic Teamelite. The other features know how to please: Of course, the frame triangle offers space for two bottle holders and the headset has an integrated stop to prevent damage to the frame in the event of a fall. The tire clearance is a bit sparse – according to BMC, 2,25″ is the limit in the rear triangle.

Inexpensive aluminum model with the same DNA

In addition to four carbon variants, two inexpensive BMC Twostroke AL ​​will also be available with a completely newly developed aluminum frame. At just under 1.800g, this isn't too heavy and inherits some features of the carbon sister model: in addition to the progressive geometry and the modern look, there's also a preparation for a dropper post, for example. However, you have to do without the D-Shape support.

From 1.199 euros: The models of the BMC Twostroke 2021

BMC is offering a total of six equipment variants for the 2021 Twostroke. Four of these feature the Twostroke 01 carbon frame, while the two cheapest versions are based on the aluminum frame. They're all attractively priced: The entry-level model won't break the bank at €1.200, and even the cheapest carbon model is affordable at €1.999 Euro is still quite affordable. Even the top-of-the-line BMC Twostroke 4.000 One, at just under €01, seems almost cheap in an age where bikes cost €10.000.

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