BMC SLR01 Philippe Gilbert edition with Athena EPS

[Miller]

Having had a BMC SL01 for a couple of years and liking it very much my attention was caught at year end by Westbrook Cycles in the UK offering 2013 edition BMC SLR01 frames at heavy discount. So I bought one. It's a size 55 and weighs about 950g.


This particular frame is from an edition commemorating Philippe Gilbert's victory at the 2012 World Championships.


It comes with a matching rainbow banded jersey although I don't know if I will have the nerve to wear it.

[Miller]

There's a twist. It's a Di2-only frame. But my attention at year end was also caught by some online retailers offering Athena EPS at deep discount. I've always wanted to try EPS and if not now, then when, so I bought shifters, front and rear mech, external battery and interface unit v1.

As has been covered elsewhere on this forum, BMC only really designed the Di2 frame with Shimano in mind. Here is the particular problem. You can't get three of these...


...through this hole.


10 minutes of careful work with a half-round needle file and now you can. It did feel like a big step to do this but, what the hell.


The EPS battery is mounted underneath the downtube and the three wires can now enter the frame.


I'll update this thread as I make progress on assembling the bike.

[NilesCrane]

Looking forward to this one! Hurry up!!

[Powerful Pete]

Yes! Intrigued. Tell/show us more!

[nestornnk]

Very nice bike..
I am sure you will enjoy the EPS..

Correct mate. Westbrook had them at really special prices...
I was seriously thinking about getting one but my size was not available.
Too bad that BMC makes their frames without Campy in mind...

[Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez]

Takes some balls to file down a 3k$ frame

[zzmkdw]

That is a beautiful frame. I'm looking forward to your build as well.

I am currently building a 2014 SLR01 with the red 22 groupo. should have it done by the weekend, work permitting.

[stormur]

( I hope not ) it's just begining of "fight" BMC vs Campagnolo. Brakes (rear) are next / additional spacer(s) and count threads hold by nut / BTW 10Nm on Campy brakes and max 8Nm on Shimano… ( talked with BMC tec support : 10 is fine, but I do as a rule 7Nm ) , then 11/12 cog + chain vs seatstay, then rear derailleur vs spokes ( however depends on wheels )… it's not easy to have Campagnolo on BMC

Oops : forgot about braze for FD : don't be surprised by lower than expected max chainring

BMC is heavily connected with Shimano ( and Conti as Shimano subsidiary ), so issues with other manufacturers components are unevitable.

[Miller]

Thanks for the comments. I hope that Campag plus BMC won't be any more of a fight than it has been so far but we'll see how it goes.

Frame parts do add weight. Here is the provided headset assembly.


The fork bung.


And the uncut fork.


Must give that Salter scale a wipe.

[dereksmalls]

Are you going to stick with the stock headset or swap for another type? Would be interested to know what you put in if you do as I'm thinking of swapping mine on my BMC - previous external routed model SLR01. Oh and I'm currently running Campy on mine and it's fine, but with a mix of WW stuff the make it a bit more finiky though

[Frankie - B]

oh, this is going to be nice. The easy way to lighten it a bit is to replace the topcap and bolt

[Miller]

For now I'm sticking with the stock parts provided with the frame.

Up early today to get a couple of hours to make progress. Having measured the fork in place, it's ready to cut:


Now 17g lighter.


Taking the easy way out in fitting the crown ring.

[Miller]

The user guides with the Campagnolo EPS parts are full of warnings about how it must only be fitted by a professional bike mechanic so this is going to be a voyage into the unknown for me.

No carbon at this level.


How different to Record/SR can this really be inside...


More as it happens.

[ronderman]

I really like this frame and I think the color you got is the best one they made. Excited to see it built up.

FYI - my Merckx San Remo 76, like this frame, was built for both electric and mechanical - like you I went EPS, though I went gen 1 with an external battery. Like you we could not get all the cables through the hole. We called merckx and they told us what hole to make bigger, how to make it and that the warranty WOULD NOT be effected. Was happy to hear that.

Enjoy - looking forward to the build.

[CulBaire]

Looking forward to seeing this built up!