2023 BMC Kaius 01 THREE

The BMC Kaius 01 THREE gravel bike isn't just about tackling both singletrack and road on the same ride—though it’s more than capable of handling that. It’s not designed to be a bikepacking bike with drop bars either; BMC's URS model already excels in that area. So, what exactly is the Kaius 01 all about? In short, the Kaius 01 THREE is a purebred gravel race bike, built with a laser focus on speed and performance over rough terrain. This bike isn't for everyone, and the Kaius is perfectly content with that niche.

At its core, the Kaius feels like a gravel-specific version of the renowned BMC Teammachine SLR01. It’s unapologetically engineered for maximum speed on gravel, a goal that’s reflected in every aspect of its design, especially the geometry—more on that in a moment—but also in the impressive weight figures. Let’s dive into the details: The 56cm frame tips the scales at a mere 910g, while the uncut fork weighs just 400g. The proprietary BMC D-shaped seatpost, designed for optimal aerodynamics and comfort, adds only 160g. Additionally, the one-piece ICS Carbon Aero Cockpit, crafted specifically for the Kaius, weighs in at a scant 315g. Altogether, the complete module—comprising the frame, fork, seatpost, cockpit, and hardware—totals just 1785g.

Other standout features include the BMC Aerocore water bottle cages. These are cleverly shaped so that when water bottles are in place, the bike maintains its aerodynamic profile as effectively as it does without them, ensuring no compromise on speed. The geometry of the Kaius 01 THREE mirrors that of a race road bike, yet it’s fine-tuned for greater stability on uneven, fast gravel routes, offering a blend of agility and control that’s hard to beat.

The BMC Kaius 01 THREE comes equipped with a SRAM Rival AXS 2x drivetrain, CRD 400 carbon wheels, Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H 40mm tires, and a Fizik Argo saddle. While it comes with a standard handlebar, the bike is also compatible with any standard handlebar option. The D-shaped seatpost is designed for comfort and weight reduction, but the Kaius can easily be adapted to work with a 27.2mm dropper seatpost, offering versatility without sacrificing its racing pedigree.

KEY FEATURES

• Kaius 01 Premium Carbon Frame and Fork
• RockShox Judy 100mm Fork
• SRAM RIVAL eTap AXS 12 Speed
• Integrated Cockpit Design
• Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H Tires