First Ride: The Swiss premium manufacturer BMC uses the suffix AMP (for amplified) to describe its electrified companions. Now the famous Roadmachine also gets this addition, with which the Swiss are entering the segment of e-racing bikes for the first time. The aim was to combine the usual good performance with a powerful Mahle Drive Unit and to offer a natural driving experience. In order to put this to the test, we had the opportunity to test the new BMC Roadmachine AMP on an extensive ride in advance.
With the new BMC Roadmachine AMP, the Swiss manufacturer presents its first performance e-racing bike. With this bike they want to offer an unprecedented all-round experience on the proven Roadmachine platform. Using the lightest drive technologies, drivers should be supported exactly when they need it and be offered more range. In this way, however, the aim is to retain the performance character that is known from BMC, and with the Roadmachine AMP it is aimed at ambitious athletes with higher demands as well as inexperienced racing cyclists.
BMC Roadmachine AMP - The drive
For the Swiss, it quickly became clear that the same drive technologies, which mainly focus on the needs of E-MTB and utility riders, cannot be used on a Roadmachine. A performance-oriented e-racing bike also needs a corresponding motor. The Mahle X20 hub drive is one of the world's most advanced solutions in this field. At just over 3 kilos, the system is also one of the lightest on the market.
The new Roadmachine AMP frame is the result of extensive design integration made possible by the compact Mahle X20 drive. This made it possible, among other things, to transfer the already established Roadmachine comfort approach to the AMP models. The Roadmachine AMP is complemented by the brand's Tuned Compliance Concept technology and proven endurance geometry, which are said to provide the same incredibly confident handling and class-leading compliance.
The Mahle X20 is perfectly integrated into the rear wheel hub and has an industry-leading power-to-weight ratio. An innovative drive system with intelligent software makes it possible to automatically adapt to the driver, the environment and the performance in order to ensure a constantly natural driving experience. The drive unit is also equipped with a range-optimizing smart battery, a fast active charger and a 173 Wh range extender that is compatible with standard bottle cages. Another highlight is the HMI (man-machine interface), which redefines user-oriented performance by processing the information provided by the sensors (torque, cadence, movement, gyroscope) and allows the driver to benefit from this.
The control of the individual support levels can be carried out very easily using the control element on the top tube. In addition, the control unit uses bars and different colors to show which level you are in and provides information about the battery status. Another great innovation is a self-guiding connection system at the connection between the rear triangle and the hub. This makes it possible for the rear wheel to be easily removed and reinstalled, as with a conventional racing bike, without having to struggle with annoying cables etc.
BMC Roadmachine AMP sizes, availability and prices
The Roadmachine AMP is available in six sizes (47, 51, 54, 56, 58 and 61) and three models. The Roadmachine AMP ONE and TWO models will be available from July 1st for €7.999 and €6.999 respectively. The Roadmachine AMP THREE, available from August 2022, costs 5.999 euros.
First Ride: The BMC Roadmachine AMP in the first test
The criticism of e-racing bikes is justified, because who needs an extremely heavy bike with which you can score points on the mountain without any problems, but as soon as the drive stops supporting you above the 25 km/h limit, start against a powerful resistance just kinda has to keep his pace on the level. This means that differences in performance on the mountain are compensated for, but on the flat you have an even greater disadvantage, which in our opinion makes harmonious riding in a group even more unlikely. However, since a more performance-oriented approach was chosen for the new Roadmachine AMP, we were curious to see how the e-road bike from BMC really rides.
We had the opportunity to test the new Roadmachine AMP before the launch at BMC in Switzerland. For this one had the route of the 3rd stage of the Tour de Suisse selected, which led over the demanding climbs of the Jura and ended at the BMC location in Grenchen with almost 3000 meters in altitude.
Basically, you can tell at first glance that the BMC Roadmachine AMP looks only slightly different from "normal" racing bikes. Even if the down tube and the drive hub are a bit thicker than usual, it still comes across as an extremely sporty racing bike. The weight is also impressive, because in size 54 the e-road bike weighs around 11,3 kilos and that with Sram Force equipment as well as handlebars, stem and seat post made of aluminum. In other words, the bike has a bit of tuning potential without much effort.
From the first step you can of course feel the power of the Mahle X20 drive, which accelerates directly. If you then start driving, the support is always very even and does not drop at a certain point or suddenly drop. It doesn't matter which of the three support levels you use, we always had the feeling that we were supplied with enough power. This is often a major shortcoming, especially with other drives, since you hardly noticeably benefit from the electric drive at the lowest support level. We found the harmonious and natural driving experience that the drive offered particularly impressive. To test this, we rode a longer climb very ambitiously, just like with a classic racing bike, and only felt the difference when looking at the speedometer or at the end with the time. Here, too, there were no fluctuations in the support or any unpleasant acceleration out of the serpentines or when changing to the out-of-the-saddle position when we used a lot of force.
Much more interesting for us was the question of how the bike can be ridden on the flat and handled on the descents. This is where the wheat is usually separated from the chaff, because with an extremely powerful motor you can make up for any performance disadvantages of the bike, but these are all the more evident above 25 km/h or on faster passages such as descents. In order not to build up too much tension, we can only say a "thumbs up" in advance. On the flat, the bike rolls along without any problems at up to 35 km/h, only when it gets faster do you notice the additional watts compared to an aero racer. We also tackled a short unaided climb just for fun and again were surprised by the basic climbing ability of the platform. The amazement continued on the descent, because thanks to the TCC, the Roadmachine is already very comfortable. The successful tuning and weight distribution also gives you very relaxed and almost racing bike-identical handling. The only thing you should take into account for the first braking maneuvers is the little extra weight.
In summary, one can really speak of a perfect all-rounder with successful skills on all levels. The great comfort in particular should complement the performance advantages mentioned and make every driver happy.
