When you’re acquainted with the BMC Kaius gravel bike, you’ve heard the phrase, “the last word gravel race bike.” Effectively, BMC is again with a brand new Kaius, and it one-ups the earlier technology on virtually each degree. So if the unique Kaius actually was the last word gravel race bike, the brand new Kaius actually appears to have an opportunity at taking the title.
Alongside these strains, for those who had been following together with the unique Kaius 01, you’re additionally most likely conscious that there was a recall for all bikes and framesets. After chatting with the BMC group about this, it shouldn’t scare you off. As an alternative, it ought to present confidence in BMC’s Swiss perfection. That complete recall centered round simply 9 forks, 7 of which had been early fashions on BMC group bikes – and not less than a kind of failed whereas driving down a set of stairs. The recall was performed out of an abundance of warning. There haven’t been any points after the very fact, and our dialog left me with full confidence to belief my life to a gravel bike I’ve by no means ridden on an especially quick, bumpy descent in Fort Ord.
With that out of the way in which, let’s dive into the brand new Kaius 01.
Aero + Stiffness + Gentle Weight + Tire Clearance + Cargo
Constructing “the last word gravel race bike” isn’t any straightforward process. Racers need all of it – higher aerodynamics, elevated stiffness, greater tire clearance, room for cargo storage, and oh yeah, all of it must be lighter weight.
BMC appears to have completed this with a revised frameset that weighs 1,469g complete, comprising a 998g body, 400g fork, and a 134g seatpost. This represents a 63g discount over the earlier model whereas delivering 3% higher stiffness and 4% weight financial savings on the 54cm body (bare).
In the case of aerodynamics, BMC has applied what it calls “Aerosynthesis” design philosophy, which considers the entire system of bicycle, rider, and environmental circumstances to scale back drag and optimize airflow administration. Based on BMC’s testing information, these modifications end in a 12% enchancment in bike-only aerodynamics and 1.05% system-wide velocity beneficial properties when paired with 45mm tires. The aerodynamic bundle attracts design parts from BMC’s present Teammachine R and Teammachine SLR 01 fashions, significantly within the rear part geometry.
Key technical options embrace an Aero Halo fork design, a compliant Arete seat tube paired with the AS10 aero-shaped seatpost, and an Aerocore downtube with built-in bottle positioning. The bike additionally incorporates the deep-section head tube from the Teammachine R 01 mannequin.
Tire clearance has been expanded to accommodate as much as 52mm tires with ISO 6mm clearance requirements – one thing they managed to do with out going the pressfit BB route. As an alternative, you’ll discover a T47 x 85.5 threaded backside bracket commonplace. Notice that BMC claims you possibly can run right down to 32mm tires with out operating into points with pedal/floor clearance.
Addressing the cargo storage wants for gravel racers, the Kaius 01 focuses on exterior storage that’s shortly accessible. Not like the BMC URS line, there isn’t a in-tube storage, which is one thing we’ve been listening to from increasingly more manufacturers for his or her race bikes. In-tube storage is nice for informal rides the place you won’t have to entry it for months at a time, however in a race the place each second counts, having it mounted externally is quicker.
Because of this, the Kaius 01 cargo system contains devoted high tube bag mounts, a strap mount Cargo Plate underneath the highest tube, the BMC AeroCore bottle cages contained in the entrance triangle, and a decrease downtube mount, offering a number of attachment factors for gear and provides throughout rides.
For drivetrains, the Kaius 01 is 1x particular with the flexibility to run chainrings from 32t to 50t. There’s additionally an built-in chain information with choices to run 38t-50t with the chainguide in each slim and broad (49.7mm) chainline. A Full Mount suitable UDH dropout ensures you possibly can run the newest SRAM drivetrains.
Geometry
The geometry incorporates a 5mm discount in attain, which BMC claims is to create a extra aggressive driving place whereas shifting extra weight over the entrance wheel. Stack peak will increase by 11mm, whereas sustaining the identical backside bracket drop leads to 10mm of extra floor clearance (because the tires obtained greater). The entrance finish receives 4mm of extra path to enhance traction.
The rear triangle has been redesigned with chainstays prolonged by 5mm to reinforce rear wheel traction whereas preserving the body’s present stiffness properties. The top angle stays unchanged to take care of the bike’s established dealing with traits.
Provided in six sizes from 47cm to 61cm, full bikes will embrace “slim” second-gen ICS Carbon Aero Cockpits.
Fashions
The Kaius 01 will likely be out there in three totally different fashions, with the 01 One on the high. One of many extra fascinating issues concerning the end of the bikes is that every has a two-tone sparkly paint job meant to signify the horizon at iconic gravel races.
The $12,999 SRAM Purple XPLR AXS Kaius 01 One has a white and darkish blue/purple end impressed by the stormy Kansas skies.
The $8,999 SRAM Power AXS Kaius 01 Two has a gray and blue motif impressed by the Nordic sky.
And the $6,199 SRAM Rival XPLR AXS Kaius 01 Three has a gold and black-ish end to signify the Traka.
2026 BMC Kaius 01 Gravel Bike First Impressions
We had an opportunity to trip the brand new Kaius 01 within the hills of Fort Ord, simply earlier than the Sea Otter Traditional gravel race descended on the identical gravel roads. At 5’8″ with a 69cm saddle-to-center-of-BB measurement, the 51cm body match practically completely. For a gravel race bike, it didn’t really feel overly stretched out or oddly proportioned.
Together with the Kaius, we had been additionally getting an opportunity to trip the brand new Continental Dubnital gravel tires within the new 50mm dimension for the primary time. The mix of the Kaius frameset and the 50mm knobby Continentals turned out to be an important match for the terrain, with loads of free, high-speed corners to work the cornering knobs.
On climbs and transitions from totally different surfaces, the Kaius felt mild and agile – and really quick. It was quick sufficient that on one significantly steep descent riddled with washboard braking bumps, I used to be involved I won’t be capable to gradual it down after an surprising jolt practically knocked my palms free. I’ll say that with a stiff fork and one-piece cockpit, you’ll positively really feel the massive impacts on tough terrain. Importantly although, I used to be in a position to management the bike and rein it in earlier than the free gravel g-out flip on the backside.
Total, the brand new Kaius 01 looks like a really robust candidate for the “final gravel race bike.” It appears to test all of the bins for what racers are searching for in a motorcycle. I’m actually no gravel racer – but it surely made me really feel like one.
BMC-Switzerland.com
