RIDE LIKE A ROBOT - BMC IMPEC - A PHOTO REVIEW
Load Specific Weave Carbon - Woven by Robots conjoined with BMC's Shell Node Concept - presenting a Robot Joined Bicycle The impeccable BMC Impec....BMC built a factory, bought some robots and set out to re-define what a racing bicycle means. They came up with the Shell Node Concept, a method of compressing carbon fibre together with a thermoplastic resin. High strength SNC materials are manufactured in two halves, frame joins are then glued together using the two shell halves. Load Specific Weave means a perfect tube fit by manufacturing to precise tolerances. Deploying robot controlled carbon weaving machines also allows BMC to manufacture carbon fibre tubes to be "load optimized".
Conceptually the IMPEC sets new benchmarks in cutting edge technological advancements, intrinsic to this is the use of the Shell Node Concept and Load Specific Carbon Weave. Additional features of the Impec include a low seat stay combining flex with comfort. A tapered steerer tube aiding reliability. There's a race fit or performance fit to choose from, the performance fit has a longer head tube and is slightly more comfortable.
A big thanks to Echelon Sports for supplying the robot spun carbon and white shell node constructed Impec.
All images by Robert Cobcroft Velo Aficioando