Thanks to the third chainring on the XTR crankset, I was able to crank over the miserably steep tarmac and gravel ramps on the Idjoch instead of pushing. Shimano's premium groupset also suits the balanced, stiff carbon fibre chassis well. Cross-country racer Coconcelli also enjoyed the sporty geometry and the Fox suspension, which is almost locked out in trail mode. The BMC proved its good climbing qualities on the Idjoch, and the secure, precise handling left nothing to be desired on the root trail before the Swiss border. The efficient rear suspension harmonises with the sensitive CTD fork like a pair of synchronised jumpers. This at least allows the battered muscles to catch their breath downhill and pays off for an eight-day race like the Transalp. The only thing we would have liked to see on the sparsely tuned, simple Fourstroke 29er is a remote lever on the handlebars. The wheels had play after two stages.
Conclusion: successful overall package. Sporty, climbs well and manoeuvres safely downhill through any terrain - whether at high speed on gravel or on rough trails.
