BMC Teammachine SLR03 Tiagra/105

While the BMC TeamMachine SLR03 might be a cut-price version of the flagship TeamMachine SLR01, there's absolutely nothing cut-price about the performance. It shares the same DNA in the frame and fork design but the costs are reined in with a more affordable carbon fibre construction, and at a currently discounted price it's a good value road bike with real racing pedigree.

Ride

I was blown away by the fabulous ride of the TeamMachine SLR01 I reviewed a couple of years ago. It would be frivolous to say the cheaper TeamMachine SLR3 rivals that bike for sheer performance, but the gap isn't as big as you might think. It's a very impressive ride.

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It's clear the bike shares the same design as the SLR01, and while the 8.78kg (19.36lb) weight does blunt the speed, there's no lack of enthusiasm in the way the SLR03 responds to your input. And any notion that the high weight would adversely affect the SLR03's climbing prowess proved unfounded; it scampers up hills with a surprising sprightliness.

The huge profiles of the main tubes ensure the bike has a very direct feel. There's no lack of stiffness when you push hard on the pedals, the frame resisting sideways flexing forces. The fork has a tapered head tube - the lower bearing is oversized - and that boosts steering precision and stiffness in the front of the frame.

This outline of the bike exactly resembles that of the top-of-the-range SLR01. That BMC can offer this seemingly identical frame at this low a price is down to the use of less expensive carbon fibre. This positively affects the price, but negatively impacts the weight: claimed frame weight is 1,230g, substantially heavier than the SLR01's 790g. If you ever wondered why top-end carbon frames are so expensive, that weight difference is the big reason.

Weight aside, the SLR03 shares the same frame shapes, including the colossal down tube, press-fit 86 bottom bracket and asymmetric chainstays. Aluminium dropouts substitute carbon ones and the cables are externally routed. That might be seen as less desirable in the eyes of some, but external cables are easier to maintain and service than internal ones, so not all bad. I actually prefer external cables, for what it's worth.

All of that trickle-down design means you get the same assured and easy to live with handling as the more expensive versions. The front end is very communicative, with a good feel for the road surface through the handlebar and a nice sense of available traction. Those skinny seatstays and the 27.2mm seatpost combine brilliantly to ensure the BMC offers incredible comfort and smoothness; it dispatches rough roads with impressive ease.

While low speed balance is remarkably good, high speed stability is markedly inferior to the SLR01, and other bikes in the SLR03's class for that matter. At higher speeds, on a flat and rough road or a fast descent, the SLR03 lacks composure and the ride can become choppy. Fitting bigger volume 25mm tyres - the frame can accommodate them (it comes with 23mm tyres not 28mm, as listed on Evans' website) - might remedy this slight performance blemish.

The front end is a little taller than the top-end SLR01, and BMC have provided a generous stack of stem spacers. I was still able to achieve a nice low position, but if you want the handlebar higher for a less aggressive fit, that is possible. It's a very accommodating geometry, well suited to anyone wanting to get into racing, or someone looking for a fast sportive or weekend bike.

Build

This is the middle of three bikes in the SLR03 range, and combines Shimano 105 shifters with Tiagra derailleurs, chainset and cassette, with an asking price currently discounted to £1,050 on the Evans Cycles website (the exclusive UK distributor for BMC). Below it is a Sora-equipped bike costing £975, and above it a full Shimano 105 build priced at £1,350 - I'm quoting currently discounted prices here.

The 105/Tiagra is a solid and dependable build, if lacking the sparkle and lightness of Shimano's more expensive groupsets. It's a 10-speed setup as well, which might limit future upgrade options - the full 105 bike has the 11-speed drivetrain.

The Shimano 105 shifters provide precise gear shifts and the brakes work well, though I'd upgrade the brake blocks to cartridge-style pads for a slightly firmer braking feel. There is no shortage of gear ratios when the road heads up, and the 12-30 cassette is an asset when the gradient nudges double figures, along with the 50/34 compact chainset.

Shimano not only supply the drivetrain on this bike, but the R501 wheels too. They're entry level, and while they aren't particularly light - in fact they're pretty heavy - in their defence they're very competent and reliable. They're not overly stiff either, and contribute to the BMC's smooth ride.

Though tyres are generally getting wider, I found little to fault with the 23mm Continental Ultra Sport folding tyres. For the price they're respectably fast and compliant, and durable and puncture-resistant too. The frame and fork will take wider, so a 25mm upgrade isn't out of the question.

All of BMC's own-brand kit, so that's the handlebar, stem and saddle, are hewn from aluminium and did the job with no complaints. I particularly like the shape and good reach of the handlebar.

What else? Ah, the saddle. I simply didn't on with the Selle Royal Sirio; it was literally a pain in the bum. But that's easily changed. The BMC RSP 3 seatpost has a simple clamp mechanism allowing for quick and easy saddle adjustments or changes.

Verdict

Top performance at a competitive price makes the SLR03 a compelling choice, but it's not without its flaws