BMC's SLR02 has been awarded best road bike in the £1,500-£2,000 price bracket as part of our sister magazine Cycling Plus's 2016 Bike of the Year awards.
The tried and trusted frame is based on the same design and moulds as the superbke SLR01. It still looks radical, packing details since emulated by others – such as dropping the seatstays' junction with the seat tube to deliver more compliance from what's at heart a no-nonsense race bike.
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You only need to look at the huge girder-like pipework to realise that – it screams stiffness. That translates on the road to practically telepathic reactions, the bike pulsing ahead soon as you stamp down on the pedals. It's a properly pro-level feel without the five-figure price tag that usually comes with that.
That said, this bke is a perfect fit for its intended audience – people who ride fondos and sportives, putting in serious miles and big climbs. The wide-ranging gearing, with a sensible 50/34 compact crankset and an 11/30t cassette out back, will get you up anything. And comfort is superb with a super plush, damped feel – even with the slightly old-fashioned stock 23c rubber.
Stay tuned for further video updates on the Bike of the Year 2016 category winners, along with full reviews, in the coming days and weeks.
