With the launch of Kaius 01, BMC is introducing its first-ever gravel performance racing bike that the company claims… ‘unlocks speed across all surfaces.’
The premium carbon gravel bike is built with a carbon layup and gravel-specific geometry. This is claimed to offer a balance of stiffness, light weight, compliance for traction on loose surfaces, front-end stability, and climbing prowess.
BMC is introducing its new Gravel Performance Series with the launch of Kaius 01, its first high-performance gravel bike. Developed using the technologies BMC features on its road models, Kaius 01 is positioned as a racing machine designed to withstand the demands of unhindered gravel riding.
“Kaius is an ultra-lightweight gravel bike built to go fast when the terrain gets rough,” said Conrad Glassey, Head of Product Management at BMC.
Kaius 01 features combination of weight, stiffness, compliance, and aerodynamics. Frame areas exposed to rocks and shocks, such as the lower face of the downtube, feature protection to give riders peace of mind when pushing over bone-rattling surfaces.
BMC has produced a gravel-specific frame with a longer reach, shifting the front wheel forward to improve stability and increase traction. With the shorter stem providing responsive handling, Kaius 01 sports a progressive and race-tuned geometry for an evolving riding style.
Stefan Christ, Head of R&D at BMC, said “We tuned Kaius to the gravel wavelength to harness the precision and performance of our leading road technologies whilst ensuring front-end stability at speed and high traction on loose surfaces.”
Kaius 01 uses BMC’s proprietary lightweight ICS cockpit system. The new ICS Carbon Aero Cockpit is used on Kaius 01 ONE to match the performance of BMC’s race machines with a reduced frontal section.
The 360 mm top width at the hoods allows for an efficient aerodynamic position, while the 12.5° flare and the 420 mm width at the drops provide control at high speeds.
Kaius 01 TWO and THREE bikes feature BMC’s own ICS2, its advanced stem system where the cables are fully integrated. ICS2 additionally provides a high level of adjustability.
Kaius 01 features BMC’s Aerocore design, an evolved solution that integrates bottle cages into the frame to optimize aerodynamic performance.
Being a gravel-race bike, Kaius 01 is not only stiff and compliant, but also lightweight. The module clocks in at a mere 1.785kg, with a frame weighing only 910g, the fork 400g, the seat post 160g, and the cockpit 315g.
The bike can fit 1x and 2x drivetrains, tyres up to 44 mm, a dropper post, BMC’s new MTT Suspension Stem, and top tube bolt-on bags.
Kaius 01 is available in six sizes (47, 51, 54, 56, 58 and 61) and three models. Kaius 01 ONE, TWO and THREE – available from September 2022 – cost €11,499 (US$11’999), €8,499 (US$8,999) and €5,499 (US$5,999) respectively.
