BMC updates aluminium Teammachine ALR for 2019 with disc brakes and lighter frame

Last week BMC unveiled the brand new Roadmachine X, an all-new wide tyred adventure bike, and this week it has rolled out the updated ALR, the aluminium version of the carbon fibre Teammachine SLR.

First launched in 2015, Teammachine ALR is one of the few really good aluminium bikes, with a frame light enough to embarrass many carbon frames and with a much more appealing price tag.

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For 2019 the Swiss company has made a raft of changes to the ALR aimed at trying to offer much of the performance of the carbon Teammachine but in a more cost-conscious package.

There are common design details, from the tube shapes to the internal seat clamp, full internal cable routing, clearance for 28mm tyres and adoption of disc brakes for the first time.

BMC makes extensive use of hydroforming to shape the tube profiles which now more closely resemble the carbon Teammachine, and all tubes are triple butted. It’s also using a size-specific approach to provide optimum performance across the size range.

Improving ride comfort has been a key focus. It uses its Tuned Compliance Concept (TCC) to shape the frame and fork in key places in order to provide more vertical compliance, to give a smoother ride on poorly surfaced roads, whilst also ensuring it has the necessary stiffness for acceleration and handling.

The rear stays are flattened and meet the seat tube lower down. There’s a D-shaped seatpost for added seated comfort and the same carbon fork from the SLR is used for added smoothness.

Disc brakes are offered on the ALR for the first time, and it’s using the now standard 12mm thru-axles with flat mount calipers.

“We consider the Teammachine ALR as an access point to performance road riding. Aluminium technology has progressed in recent years and we now have the possibility to recreate the shape of the Teammachine SLR with aluminium. It’s a lightweight and stiff material, and the Teammachine ALR is complemented by core carbon components,” explains Stefan Christ, Head of R&D at BMC.

Following this development claimed frame weight for a 54g is 1,165g with rim brakes, down from 1,295g of the previous version, with the disc model coming in at 1,250g.

The Teammachine ALR will be available in five sizes from 47 to 60cm. The range will include three models, two with rim brakes and one with discs, using Tiagra and 105 components. We don’t have prices yet.

More info at www.bmc-switzerland.com