BMC: Urbanchallenge UC01

Urbanchallenge UC01

The sleek, practical, and professional (if awkwardly named) Urbanchallenge is the ideal ride for the buttoned-up urbanite. Rolling on 700c wheels, it whisks you along in supreme comfort and confidence. 

 The silent belt drive protect your pants from grease, the handling is sharp, the 8-speed Shimano Alfine hub gives you enough range for any hill along your way, and the disc brakes ensure that you’ll always be able to stop for any quick-changing traffic lights. Should it rain, fenders keep your exposure to puddles to a minimum. 

Still, like a modernist model home, it’s devoid of personality. It’s fitting that BMC headquarters are in Switzerland, a nation known for its coolly impartial remove in global politics. Also, the steep price makes locking up outside a bit of a leap of faith.