MTB

BMC SpeedFox SF29 – first look

BMC SpeedFox SF29 – £3799

BMC’s debut 29er full suspension bike is the brand new SpeedFox SF29, which enters the market in 2012 and was shown for the first time at Eurobike back in September.

On paper it looks the part. A triple butted and hydroformed 6000 alloy frame uses BMC’s signature integrated skeleton concept that reinforces the top/seat tube junction, a huge downtube and short 100mm tapered head tube. Geometry has been tweaked for the bigger wheels with a 70º head angle and 73º seat, and short 430mm chainstays.

BMC’s proven Advanced Pivot System (APS) suspension platform, its own dual-link suspension design features two short linkages that join the two halves of the frame and keep it laterally very stiff. A handy sag indictor on the aluminium rocker link makes setting the SF29 an easy task.

On tap is 100mm of travel from the Fox RP2 shock which pairs nicely with the Fox Float FIT RLC fork up front with a 15mm thru-axle bolting the Easton EA70 XTC 29er wheel into place. As we’re seeing on many 29ers, the front mech is mounted directly to the seat tube to keep it out of the way of the rear wheel, with the shorter chainstays that are required. Out back the disc brake is held in place with a post mount, another feature that is steadily becoming a standard on new frames.

Evans Cycles, distributors of BMC in the UK, offer a £2199 SLX-based build or the SRAM XO specced bike pictured here, which costs £3799. The specification on the latter, which we’re about to test, consists of a SRAM XO groupset with a 36-22 chainset, Avid Elixir 7 Carbon brakes, Easton EA70 XCT Tubeless wheels, Racing Ralph 2.25 in tyres and Fizik Tundra saddle. Weight is 11.9kg (26.2lbs).