- MSRP: $ Now: $
Place Your Order
Frame Performance Guide
Intended Use
"Cross Country (XC)" bikes are designed primarily for cross country racing. XC bikes are very light, and often hardtails, while full suspension XC bikes have less than 4" of travel. XC bikes are designed to respond quickly and are optimized for climbing, thus limiting their ability on steep or technical trails.
"Trail" bikes are designed for longer rides, up to multiple days, over slightly more challenging terrain. Wheel travel ranges from 4-5" (100-140mm), and have handling characteristics slightly more forgiving than XC bikes. With less of an emphasis on weight, Trail Bikes are typically built to handle rougher terrain than dedicated XC bikes both climbing and descending.
"Enduro/All-Mountain (AM)" bikes bridge the gap between XC and FR/DH bikes. Built for challenging terrain, AM bikes usually have 5 to 7 inches of wheel travel, often adjustable. They are designed to be able to climb reasonably well and descend excellently, thus have quite forgiving geometry. All-mountain bikes can handle anything from all-day rides with steep climbs and steep descents, to moderate chairlift/shuttle riding.
"Freeride (FR)" bikes are designed for obstacle clearance and absorbing repeated large impacts from jumping. FR bikes tend to have at least 7 inches (180 mm) of wheel travel. FR components and frames are built for strength, and thus tend to be heavier. They can be ridden uphill, but their geometry makes them difficult to maneuver while traveling at low speeds. Most FR bikes are optimized for tricks and extreme terrain, while they are often pressed into service as downhill bikes.
"Downhill (DH)" bikes typically have eight or more inches (200 mm) of suspension travel, long wheelbases, low centers of gravity, and very forgiving geometry. Cornering traction and control at high speeds are the hallmarks of DH bikes, and thus DH bikes are typically ridden on dedicated trails or racecourses. Most DH bikes have specialized gearing making them extremely inefficient for uphill pedaling.
"Downhill (DH)" bikes typically have eight or more inches (200 mm) of suspension travel, long wheelbases, low centers of gravity, and very forgiving geometry. Cornering traction and control at high speeds are the hallmarks of DH bikes, and thus DH bikes are typically ridden on dedicated trails or racecourses. Most DH bikes have specialized gearing making them extremely inefficient for uphill pedaling.
Fork Travel
So you thought Giant, Specialized, and Turner were the only real contenders in the full-suspension mountain bike scene? Enter the BMC Trail Fox. The entire bike is made from hydro-
formed, triple-butted 7005 series Aluminum making it incredibly light and stiff - especially for a bike with 5 inches of rear wheel travel. And stiff it is. The bike makes very good use of its rear suspension, transferring all road shock and vibration straight to the Fox RP2 shock. What about Pedal induced bob you say? Forget about it. The APS, also known as
Advanced Pivot System, rear suspension is similar to a DW link in that the wheel has a nearly vertical axle path, and the use of two strategically designed and placed magnesium pivots virtually eliminates pedal bob. On a recent test ride, one Arts Cyclery employee was amazed at this frame's ability to fly uphill (see the blog for the full story). BMC's famous ISC, or Integrated Skeleton Concept, graces the Trail Fox 01 further increasing the frame's stiffness. The rear swing-arm features an integrated post-
mount which eliminates the need for brake adapters. The BMC Trail Fox. The ultimate All-
Mountain machine is here and it can take all you can throw at it.
Features
- Triple butted 7005 series alloy
- ISC increases frame stiffness
- Post mount rear brake mount
- Initial load indicator makes fine tuning the suspension easy
- APS rear suspension design provides bump soaking suspension without the "bob"
- removable derailleur hanger
- Fox RP2 Shock
- Frame weight: 6.6 lbs - M frame
- Wheel travel: 140mm