BMC Trailfox 01 XX1 review
The BMC Trailfox was one of a handful of long-travel 29ers that hit the market a few years ago, firmly distancing the bigger wheels from their XC roots. Undoubtedly a great bike, it has since notched up a tally of successes on the world racing circuit. Now into its third season, is it still a serious contender?
For the current season, BMC have truly ruffled the feathers on the Trailfox, waving goodbye to its once-understated image and opting instead to make a bold statement. The top-of-the-range Trailfox 01 XX1 sports a full carbon frame in a bright blue and neon yellow colourway. Featuring a RockShox PIKE RCT3 fork and a Cane Creek DB Inline rear shock, BMC have booted FOX off the scene for their latest evolution. The increased complexity of the Cane Creek shock does demand more patience to set up, although the DIALED app from Cane Creek offers some respite.
While the SRAM XX1 drivetrain is faultless, we experienced an inconsistent bite point from the Shimano XTR brakes that spoils the impression given by the rest of their brilliant performance. BMC set the bars at a trifling 760 mm, which in our eyes is too narrow for a bike with such aggressive intent– after all, you can always cut, but you can never widen.
BMC Trailfox 01 XX1 in spec
Fork: RockShox Pike RCT3 160 mm
Rear shock: Cane Creek DB Inline 150 mm
Brakes: Shimano XTR Trail
Drivetrain: SRAM XX1 1×11
Seat post: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Stem: BMC AMSM 02 45 mm
Handlebar:BMC MFB 01 Carbon 750 mm
Wheels: DT Swiss EX 1501 Spline ONE
Tires: Onza Ibex FRC
Weight: 13.10 kg
Price: € 6,999
Setting up the DB Inline feels like a momentous task, but fortunately the DIALED app helps. The base setting is about 95% correct, so it’ll just need fine-tuning. The Climb Switch is a powerful ally on the climbs, hugely boosting efficiency and traction.
BMC rocks 200 mm rotors at the front and the rear courtesy of Shimano XTR. The performance is fantastic – the inconsistent bite point less so.
Despite the internal cables and clean lines, the bright colourway cheapens the otherwise stylish carbon frame. We’d love to see a return to the previous cool and understated look.
The APS rear suspension design with its floating pivot point is able to perform effectively without platform damping, accelerating with efficiency and braking with good traction.
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The position for climbing is comfy, and thanks to the Trailfox’s low weight and efficient rear suspension it climbs like a sly mountain fox.
Drop the RockShox Reverb seat post and you’ll find yourself nicely centralized between the two burly wheels. And speaking off those two big wheels, the bike never feels constrained by their ample dimensions; even when cornering, nothing stops this bike’s playful and direct nature from coming to the fore. It’s a bike that urges you on to ride dynamically, dishing out feedback generously, which is surely down to the firmness of the super-efficient suspension. The BMC Trailfox 01 XX1 isn’t a comfy cruise liner, and doesn’t stay as planted on the ground as the YT CAPRA, the Canyon Strive, or the Yeti SB5.5c, for example, but it’s still a mighty force that can take the big hits. Racers might yearn for more in reserve and even more aggressive geometry. With a low rolling resistance, the ONZA IBEX tires proved a good choice to underline the bike’s aptitude for long rides.
Conclusion
If you’ve got a foxy penchant for speed and agility, then the BMC Trailfox 01 XX1 could be the vixen you’re after. The 29er wheels add stability and forgiveness for the odd mistaken line choice. More full-on riders might prefer a smoother ride – and that’s where the competition outpaces it.
Strengths
- Comfortable riding position
- Picks up the pace quickly
- Super-agile
Weaknesses
- Rear suspension too harsh
- Noisy chain slap
- Lack of stability at high speed
For more information head to the BMC website!
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: Does it get better than this? – 9 high-end enduro bikes in comparison
All bikes in review: Bold Linkin Trail LT 29 | Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Race | CUBE Stereo 160 C:68 Action Team 27.5 | Giant Reign Advanced 1 | SCOTT Genius LT 700 Tuned | ROTWILD R.E1 FS EVO | Yeti SB 5.5C X01 | YT Capra CF Pro Race