The Fourstroke FS01 29 is the top bike in BMC's new 29er full-sus lineup. It features an impressively light full carbon frame, top-of-the-line components and a price tag to match. Our initial impression is that it does a good job of blurring the lines between cross-country and trail bikes.
As the name implies, the Fourstroke FS01 29 has 4in (100mm) of suspension travel. It shares a similar suspension design to the 26in BMC Trailfox TF01 (a rocker link driving the rear shock and a lower link mounted directly above the bottom bracket) in a shorter travel, race-oriented package.
The Fourstroke FS01 29 is offered in three build kits: Shimano 3x10 XTR, as well as two 2x10 configurations with SRAM XX and X0 (the SRAM XX kit is not available in the US).
Our XTR test bike retails for US$8,499 and tips the scales at 11.3kg (24.9lb). The frame with rear shock and associated hardware weighs 2,040g (4.5lb). Budget-minded riders will be glad to know there are also more affordable models with a carbon front/aluminum rear triangle, as well as a full aluminum frame.
There's an appreciably short head tube up front
The Fourstroke series is designed with endurance/marathon racing in mind, but as the video below shows, it looks to be a capable short-travel trail bike as well.
BMC fourstroke fs01 29 in action
Check back to BikeRadar for a full review in the coming weeks.
