Home > Other Fun Stuff > Prototypes & Concepts

EB14: BMC’s Impec Concept May Hold the Future of Road Bikes

26 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

bmc impec road bike concept (1)

Standing out against the sea of marginal gains, concept bikes allow a company to flex their design muscle and dream up something wild. For BMC, the Impec Concept project was more than just creating a new bike as they wanted to really show off the capabilities of the Impec Advanced R&D Lab. As the same lab that puts out the woven carbon fiber used for the BMC Impec Road Bike, the facility is capable of turning out complete machines from concept to completion in record time.

When it came time to do something new, BMC’s engineers and designers tried to envision what a road bike would be in the future – and then built it. Using the advanced resources at their disposal, the Impec Concept came together in just 4 months with a few design features actually seeing real world testing on other bikes. Using modular integration the bike is built with  a basic structure designed for a number of add ons…

bmc impec road bike concept (3) bmc impec road bike concept (4)

While certainly not the first bike to use a single sided fork or swingarm, BMC says they imagined the design since reducing the frontal area as much as possible will reduce drag.

bmc impec road bike concept (13)

bmc impec road bike concept (6) bmc impec road bike concept (8)

Obviously the future is disc brake compatible, and the Impec concept is no different. The interesting part is the integration of the calipers into the frame and fork and the ram air scoops that force air into the rotors to cool them.

bmc impec road bike concept (12) bmc impec road bike concept (11)

The drivetrain concept takes the modular ideal up a notch. Consumers could purchase a drivetrain module of their choice and simply install it into the bike. Want different gearing? Just change the module.

bmc impec road bike concept (5)

bmc impec road bike concept (7)

Aerodynamics were a big part of the design which is why the bike uses a twin spar stem and seat tube. The 70mm spaced stem spars drastically, and we do mean drastically, decreased the amount of turbulence coming off the front of the bike in CFD testing. In addition to being more aerodynamic, the widely spaced struts allow for an integrated stem that is extremely stiff.

bmc impec road bike concept (9)

bmc impec road bike concept (10)

Integration continues into the bars with advanced electronics elements. The saddle is a single piece without rails that is still adjustable and has actually been ridden on other bikes.

Ultimately the BMC Impec Concept is just that – a concept. But the project shows just what BMC is capable of, and in a very short period of time. Having the ability to design a product and then simply walk next door to check on the development is what the Advanced R&D Lab is all about. Well, that, and making amazing bikes.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

26 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
FrederickPunter
FrederickPunter
9 years ago

Someone should tell them to get their original Impec to work before they go off trying to making a new one…..

GrantT
GrantT
9 years ago

Why not a hoverbike too?

groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

I’m sure bike companies would love drivetrains to be a sealed component that has be replaced all at once, even for a gearing change.

brian
brian
9 years ago

Pretty darn cool – did you take any shots of the other side of the bike?

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

Not to be Debbie downer, but what exactly did this show BMC can do? Make a carbon fiber drivetrain cover?

lawyerknowitall
lawyerknowitall
9 years ago

@frederickpunter

My Impec and single one I have seen works fine.

anonymous
anonymous
9 years ago

You mean a carbon fiber chaincase. Retro

If we’re talking about future bikes that violate UCI rules, it would look more like a Lotus or a recumbent.

Gabe
Gabe
9 years ago

I think it’s pretty cool. They dreamed something up and made it because they could. Would any of you haters not ride this bike if given the opportunity? Shoot, I’d have it as a piece of art. It’s not meant to be practical. Don’t take this $hit so seriously y’all

anonymous
anonymous
9 years ago

First of all, it is unridable.

Second of all, no, you wouldn’t own it as just a piece of art if you had to pay a fraction of what it cost to make.

milanulrichcz
milanulrichcz
9 years ago

It’s amazing concept. Love it. But they shoul made it with drone remote. Rider cause so much drag, or make some more aerodynamic men. 🙂

fib
fib
9 years ago

Interesting difference between car and bike fans. Car fans love concept cars, even if they will never afford, or even ride one, even if you just can’t sit in without breaking your neck. Bike fans hate concept bikes. That is maybe why UCI rules still…. rule!

abc
abc
9 years ago

Personally, I love it. Concept bikes bring new ideas and this is good and they look different.

123
123
9 years ago

all this sh*t means that Columbus tubing and campy mechanical gets cheaper. bring it on, bring it on. aluminum and mechanical till…I…die.

Jamo
Jamo
9 years ago

BMC was a bit late on a fully conceptual bike. Rafael released this working concept a few days before.

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/A_detailed_look_at_the_Ueberbike_4550.html

Ripnshread
Ripnshread
9 years ago

Nice. Needs rotor covers. The UCI should mandate all bikes have rotor covers if they run discs.

tinsloth
tinsloth
9 years ago

I like the twin spar stem and seatpost design, and scoops to channel air onto the brake rotors is a pretty nifty idea as well! Good job, BMC!

skip
skip
9 years ago

Whoa, BMC is awesome at Minecraft!

B Wayne
B Wayne
9 years ago

Does it come in black?

someslowguy
someslowguy
9 years ago

[Something negative.]

C’mon seriously folks, smile for 7 seconds before commenting. It will make you happier.

Antipodean_G
9 years ago

@someslowguy what you said. Since when did everyone become so drull and devoid of imagination?

Adam2
9 years ago

Thank you BMC, for awakening our imaginations!

shaman-man
shaman-man
9 years ago

I wonder how much this costs and how it affect what the customer ends up paying?

Ripnshread
Ripnshread
9 years ago

I want to ride one with a full LED’d out skinsuit …Ill be freaking TRON!

Dr. Sartorious
Dr. Sartorious
9 years ago

Like the Lamborghini Countach and Tom Selleck’s mustache, those sharp edges and aesthetics don’t age very well. It’s why the shape of a Porsche 911 is timeless.

bummer
bummer
9 years ago

@someslowguy
+1

@bikerumor
Thanks for the great pics!!!

@Dr. Sartorious
I’m with you on the 911 but I think this bike looks great, save for the underdeveloped drivetrain cover. Of course, I’m also a big fan of the Countach and the F-117 Nighthawk and cut gemstones, too.

saddlesniffer
saddlesniffer
9 years ago

wasn’t this bike in the movie tron?!

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.