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Tour de France pro bikes 2019: Steve Cummings' BMC Teammachine Disc

We take a closer look at the Dimension Data man's BMC Teammachine, complete with a whopping grwat big 150mm stem...

Steve Cummings was something of a surprise call-up to Team Dimension Data this year after a certain high-profile sprinter from the Isle of Man was omitted from the team. Here is his Teammachine with a couple of unique touches.  

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The Teammachine is BMC’s all-round race bike for going fast over any distance, so they say. It's a bit lighter than their Timemachine aero road racer and a little snappier than the endurance-focussed Roadmachine. It’s also had plenty of success over the years, with Cadel Evans riding a Teammachine to overall victory in the 2011 Tour de France.

Tour de France 2019 Steve Cummings BMC - 22

Fast forward to 2019 and the latest hydraulic disc brake version is lighter and stiffer than ever, with all the cables routed internally for the cleanest look possible. BMC have applied their ACE, or accelerated composites evolution, technology to calculate the ultimate balance of stiffness, low weight and compliance, using pre-programmed performance values that BMC want out of their frame and applying it during the manufacturing process.

Tour de France 2019 Steve Cummings BMC - 13

BMC have also worked hard to make sure the bike is as smooth as possible with their tuned compliance concept, with the carbon layup optimised to dampen road vibration and the dropped seatstays improving power transfer efficiency at the rear.

Tour de France 2019 Steve Cummings BMC - 15

Cummings’ Teammachine is the top-of-the-range SLR01 Disc, and it’s been further upgraded with a special, more delicate paint job that saves a further 80g of weight off the frame – you can actually see some of the carbon weaves if you look close enough.

Tour de France 2019 Steve Cummings BMC - 7

All the Dimension Data riders are on disc brakes for this tour, and BMC say the disc brake frame is just 25g heavier than the rim brake version.

Tour de France 2019 Steve Cummings BMC - 14

Cummings is a big lad at 6 foot 3 inches tall, and is riding a 58cm frame. To add some extreme extra reach he’s opted for a whopping 150mm stem, the longest we spotted this year’s Tour. This stem comes part of BMC’s integrated cockpit system made specifically for the Teammachine, and although it’s as clean as any one-piece bar and stem combo out there, it’s actually in two parts to allow for plenty of adjustment.

Tour de France 2019 Steve Cummings BMC - 16

There’s also an integrated out-front Garmin mount, and the bar tape is courtesy of Joystick. 

steve cummings bmc

Dimension Data use Shimano Dura-Ace shifters and brakes, and the Rotor InPower chainset with an integrated power meter complete with a classy gold KMC chain. Cummings is running 53/39 chainrings, with an 11-28 Dura-Ace cassette at the rear.

Tour de France 2019 Steve Cummings BMC - 6

Enve provide wheels for Dimension Data, and Cummings has opted for the SES 5.6 carbon rims on his Teammachine. The front wheel is 54mm deep and the rear 63mm, to provide plenty of aero benefits but some extra stability in crosswinds compared to very deep section rims. Mounted to those wheels are a set of Vittoria Corsa tubular tyres in a width of 26mm.

Tour de France 2019 Steve Cummings BMC - 18

Completing the run-down on Cummings’ component choices, he’s running Shimano Dura-Ace pedals and has opted for the Selle Italia Superflow saddle with carbon rails and a central cut-out. 

 

What do you reckon to this bike? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out all our other Tour tech articles

Jack has been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of the website including tech, news and video, and also contributed to eBikeTips before being named Editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master's degree in print journalism and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it's a long story). 

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