At Eurobike 2016, BMC publicly set out on the road to motorized mountain bikes with the Trailfox AMP. The bike was then available from May 2017 - and was very impressive in the Ride test

Now the Swiss bike manufacturer is following up: The Speedfox AMP is the new sibling that rolls off-road with Watt support. It is also based on a Shimano drivetrain and a carbon frame, but the stroke is 130 millimetres instead of 150 and the wheel size is 29 inches. The best-equipped Speedfox is said to weigh around one kilo less than its Trailfox counterpart, thanks to the carbon rear triangle - although this is also on board the highest-quality Speedfox versions - and the lightweight components selected.

BMC relies on a good dose of system integration for the off-road racer: the battery is located in the down tube, the Shimano motor is embedded in the carbon down tube and a specially developed drive cover protects the motor and is intended to provide an elegant look. The battery cover also comes from our own forge, while the speed sensor is elegantly housed in the left-hand chainstay.

BMC has taken a modern approach to the geometry of the Speedfox AMP: the bottom bracket is set low and the head angle is a slack 66 degrees. The slack head angle and long reach ensure a generous front end, while the reduced fork caster values should be decisive for agile handling in tight hairpin bends.

The Speedfox AMP will only be available in Europe until the beginning of 2018, with four versions in the range.

www.bmc-switzerland.com