BMC Speedfox on the rock staircase of Noble Canyon Trail.
The Lowdown: BMC Speedfox 130mm travel 29er
The BMC Trailfox 29er with 150mm of travel introduced last year was a revolutionary bike for the Swiss company. It paved the way for BMC’s entry into enduro racing and the more U.S. style of all mountain riding. BMC follows it up this year with the 130mm Speedfox 29er, which incorporates all that was learned with the Trailfox. It is a trail bike with a big sweet spot, capable of climbing, descending and playing in the rough stuff.
During our test session, we found that is a very capable bike, arguably the all-around type of bike most riders need. You could race XC and still be confident when things get rowdy. The bike’s stand-over height and geometry are dialed, with short stays, a low BB, and long top tube. It climbs well and it descends and corners confidently. The Speedfox is only held back by the stock 32mm front fork and narrow rims. Upgrading those would really bring this bike alive.
Stat Box
Frame: Carbon
Bottom Bracket: BB90 Shimano press-fit
Geometry: BMC BWC (Big Wheel Concept) 29er
Initial load indicator: Built-in SAG adjustment
Cable routing: Internal downtube/seatpost
Natural-born brake post-mount: 180mm discs
Suspension: APS
Rotors: 180mm front/rear
Travel: 130mm front/rear
Dropper post : 150mm travel M/L
Fork: 32mm
Claimed frame weight: 2210g/4.87lb with hardware
Seat angle: 74 degrees
Rear axle: 12×142mm
Head angle: 68.5 degrees
MSRP: $6999 (SF01 XX1 model tested)
Sizes: XS-XL
Rating: 
4.5 Chilis-out-of-5
Pluses
Minuses
Geometry is spot-on for an aggressive trail bike
Narrow rim width
Quality and fit are first-rate
Frame colors are muted and lines are angular
Size specific dropper posts from 100-150mm
Would prefer 34mm fork with 140mm travel
Best of breed SAG indicator built-in to frame
Clean internal routing with removable covers for access
2.4 Continental tires
750mm handlebar width is ideal
Full Review: BMC Speedfox 130mm travel 29er
Mtbr visited the new BMC USA office in San Diego and we set out to do their local epic ride, Noble Canyon. The boys of BMC were on their personal Trailfox 150mm travel bikes and marketing manager Devin Reilly said that I would be at the edge of the Speedfox’s sweet spot. “Noble Canyon can get rowdy,” he said. “But you should be fine.”
Starting the climb on the trail and slightly bleary eyed from the previous night’s San Diego tour, I appreciated that the Speedfox was easy to pedal. It scooted around just like an XC bike, as this is a sub-26-pound rig after all. As the trail pitched up, I was grateful for the 28-tooth single front ring. These Swiss mountaineers of BMC understand big hills and know that 29er wheels match up well with this gearing on big climbs. My only wish on the climbs was for a little more mid-stroke support from the Fox rear shock in the wide open position. There was some suspension bob under big efforts and I countered that by flicking the rear shock to the Trail position.
Noble Canyon Trail starts off with a shuttle ride near the top of the trail and a scenic meadow ride.
Once the trail tilted downward, the Speedfox started to exhibit its range. It had all the best traits of its big brother Trailfox, but was easier to handle and corner. The bike was nimble and fun to throw around. As the trail got really rowdy, we just checked the speed and went for it. The combination of big wheels, low center of gravity, and supple suspension got us through some hairy stuff for a 130mm travel bike. It just goes to show that one needs to trust a well-sorted bike and not necessarily defer to longer travel steeds.
In rough, high speed sections, the fork got bounced around the rocks a bit so a 34mm stanchion fork would be a welcome upgrade. We also suspect that bumping the front travel to 140mm would really allow this bike to reach its descending potential.
The Continental 2.4” tires were a bit stressed too because the rims were so narrow at 20mm. These are fine wheels with some of the best hubs, but newer bikes have moved on to wider 25-27mm rims. This would allow better stance of the tires and increase air volume, meaning you could run lower tire pressure and gain more traction.
Rocky descent on Noble Canyon Trail using the BMC Speedfox.
Details
BMC designed the bike with internal cable routing that can hold up to six cables internally. Thus the brakes can be internal as well and any variation of brake levers and dropper posts. Another nice feature on the Speedfox is the integrated initial load (sag) indicator on the top of the chain stay and rocker link. When setting up the bike’s sag the rider can just look down from the saddle and a bar that indicates the proper sag range within the “soft” and “hard” markers without the need for snap-on sag indicators.
Cliamed frame weight for the Speedfox SF01 is 2210 grams or 4.87 lbs including all hardware: shock, frame protections, chain guide, rear axle, and seat clamp. In other words, the Swiss don’t cheat when claiming frame weights. The top of the line SF01 XX1 weighs just 25.1 pounds.
Marketing Manager, Devin Reilly moved to San Diego from the East Coast he was welcomed by the technical riding of Noble Canyon Trail.
Geometry
So it’s not an XC race bike and it’s not an Enduro bike. Rather, it’s the bike that most riders can have fun on, conquering big climbs and surviving rolling or technical terrain. Geometry is dialed, with the 435mm chainstays and 68.5 degree head angle. Stack is 607mm, with reach at 435mm (size M), but it’s still plenty slack, with a 51mm offset fork. Stem length is 70mm across the range to maintain a consistent ride quality. BMC feels that it is a huge compromise if taller riders are forced to ride longer stems as it harms the technical descending qualities of the bike.
Seat tube angle is a steep 74 degrees, which puts the rider in an ideal climbing position with the long top tube and slack head angle. For descents, a dropper post is utilized to get the rider’s weight low and back.
The range consists of three models — SF01, SF02 and SF03 — each available in five sizes from XS to XL. The SF01 is built around a carbon frame and comes in two builds: Shimano XTR or SRAM XX1. SF02 has a carbon front and alloy rear triangle, with three specs: XO, XT or XT/SLX. SF03 is an alloy frame, offered in two specs: XT/SLX or Deore.
2015 BMC Speedfox Line Overview
SF01 XTR: $8999
SF01 XX1: $6999 (tested)
SF01 Frameset: $4500
SF02 XO: $5999
SF02 XT: $4999
SF02 XT/SLX: $3999
SF03 XT/SLX: $3599
SF03 Deore: $2599
Mountain bikes on display at BMC USA office.
With a new, fully staffed USA office in San Diego, CA, BMC is able to grow and fully support its operations.
BMC USA is near one of the best IPA breweries in the country called Alpine Brewing Co.
Now based in San Diego, CA, it is easy for the BMC crew to enjoy the finest post-ride IPAs.
For more information visit www.bmc-switzerland.com.
Review: BMC Speedfox 130mm travel 29er Gallery
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BMC Speedfox at Office Display Area
The BMC US Headquarters in San Diego showcases all their new bikes for dealers and visitors.
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BMC Speedfox at San Diego Office
BMC USA found a home in a business park in San Diego, CA beside exotic car importers and craft breweries.
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BMC Speedfox at USA headquarters Front Desk
Front lobby at BMC USA, San Diego, CA.
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BMC Test Bikes
These are our test bikes for the visit.
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BMC Speedfox on Noble Canyon Jump
FC of Mtbr doing a natural jump near the bottom of Noble Canyon Trail.
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BMC Speedfox on Noble Canyon Switchback
BMC Speedfox is seen here negotiating a rocky switchback left hander.
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BMC Speedfox on Noble Canyon with Mark Gouge
Mark Gouge of Mtbr is happy to be on any trail.
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BMC Speedfox on Noble Canyon with Devin
Marketing Manager, Devin Reilly moved to San Diego from the East Coast he was welcomed by the technical riding of Noble Canyon Trail.
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BMC Speedfox on Noble Canyon with FC and Devin
FC of Mtbr and Devin of BMC at Noble Canyon trail.
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BMC Speedfox MTB Office Display
Mountain bikes on display at BMC USA office.
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BMC Display Bikes
Road bikes on display at BMC USA.
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BMC Speedfox on Noble Canyon Meadow
Noble Canyon Trail starts off with a shuttle ride near the top of the trail and a scenic meadow ride.
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BMC Office Display Halls of Racing Memorabilia
BMC USA racing memorabilia.
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BMC Office Showroom
The BMC USA showroom.
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BMC Speedfox on Noble Canyon Rock Chute
BMC Speedfox on a rock chute at Noble Canyon Trail.
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BMC Speedfox on Noble Canyon Rocky Section
BMC Speedfox on the rock staircase of Noble Canyon Trail.
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BMC Speedfox on Noble Canyon Start
Shuttle drop-off for Noble Canyon Trail.
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BMC Swiss Bell
This bell from Switzerland is normally hung on cattle but it is here to ring in big new new deals.
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BMC Speedfox on Noble Canyon
Rocky descent on Noble Canyon Trail using the BMC Speedfox.
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BMC Speedfox on Noble Canyon Alpine Brewing Post Ride Beverage
BMC USA is near one of the best IPA breweries in the country called Alpine Brewing Co.