First Look: 2021 BMC URS ONE Gravel Bike

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BMC URS ONE, or BMC UnReStricted, offer four model builds to the UK market. Here we have the cheapest in the range in a size medium.

Designed for ‘high-intensity gravel racing and limitless backroad exploration’, the URS features a premium carbon frame and fork with internal cable routing. Our model has a standard 70mm stem, but the higher end builds feature an integrated cockpit system to keep your cables out of sight.

Sizing is worth spending some time considering with the BMC URS ONE. Those are some long top tube lengths, and the rider height range is quite hard to place yourself in since they overlap. At 173cm tall, I have a medium test bike, and I’ll find out how it sizes up when the ice has melted.

The frame features BMC Micro Travel Technology (MTT), a lightweight and minimalist suspension system.

The Micro Travel Technology is an integrated damper offering 10mm of travel to the otherwise rigid carbon frame.

To stop any side-to-side movement there are two stanchions internally, that BMC claims to be incredibly low maintenance and ‘the pinnacle of lightweight, integrated compliance.’

Another notable feature on the BMC URS ONE is the D-shaped seatpost. Having never ridden a bike with one of these before, and being relatively new to road and gravel riding, I’m really keen to see if the ride is noticably more plush thanks to this detail, along with the MTT.

The BMC URS ONE comes with 1×11 SRAM APEX gearing, 40T front chainring and a 11-42T cassette.

SRAM APEX brakes with 180/160 rotors offer plenty of stopping power, and are satisfyingly neat in the mounting.

Wheels are DT Swiss C1850 Spline on 40mm WTB Raddler tyres, though there’s clearance for a 45mm tyre.

Other details include a WTB SL8 Cromoly saddle, Easton EA50 AX bars, 12x100mm thru-axle front, 12x142mm thru-axle rear and lots of bottle bosses with a mounting option for bolt-on top-tube bags and accessories.

The BMC URS ONE is £2,850.00 in this build. If you want 1×12 gearing, SRAM AXS or a brighter colour frame, there are more models in the range.


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