BMC URS LT, a full suspension gravel bike

The Swiss firm BMC has updated its gravel model to include its own 20mm suspension fork integrated into the steerer tube, which, together with its rear MTT (Micro Travel Technology) system, makes it a full-suspension bike that can do it all. The BMC URS LT has chosen two of its own systems to take the lead in the trend of including suspension on this type of bike.

BMC URS LT: BMC's gravel bike updated with front suspension

The BMC URS was already a very peculiar gravel thanks to its MTT system, which by means of a piece with elastometers located in the upper vertex of the rear triangle made this bike a "softtail" capable of absorbing a large part of the irregularities of the terrain. This system was adopted from the MTB range, and with the possibility of mounting 45mm tyres, it works practically like a rear micro suspension system on this gravel bike, without losing the stiffness required of this type of bike when it enters road sections.

The D-shaped seatpost contributes to shock absorption with the MTT system, but the BMC URS LT is also prepared to mount 27.2 mm dropper seatposts with internal cable routing.

But BMC didn't want to be limited to rear-wheel drive, and along with damping system specialist HiRide, they have developed a front suspension based on a helical damper encapsulated in the steerer tube. A suspension that offers 20 mm of front travel and gives the model its name; LT stands for Long Travel, and we've seen this terminology before on BMC MTBs.

According to BMC, the other brands simply shorten the current front suspension systems that already exist in XCO to adapt them to gravel, but they have developed a system from scratch taking into account the different vibration frequencies that are received both on dirt tracks and on the road. They claim that this suspension system reduces overall vibration by up to 46%.

The suspension consists of two aligned springs, the lower one dampens uneven terrain and the upper one prevents vibrations from reaching the rider. And despite the complexity of the system, the steerer tube remains adjustable even on the smallest sizes. There are three types of springs to adapt the suspension to the rider's weight, and three preload adapters.

Specifications and price of the BMC URS LT

• URS Premium Carbon frame with Micro Travel Technology, Tuned Compliance Concept Gravel. Weight 1150 g in size M
• Carbon fork with Micro Travel Technology Suspension Fork, 20 mm travel and compatible with disc brakes
• Compatible only with 1X drivetrains
• Accepts up to 45mm tyres
• Integrated down tube protection
• D-shaped seatpost compatible with mudguards
• New internal cable routing
• Compatible with 27.2mm round dropper seatpost
• Compatible with mudguards and luggage racks
• Bag adaptor for top tube
• Up to 3 bottle cages can be mounted, one under the down tube

The BMC URSL LT is available in four sizes ranging from S to XL and two models:

The BMC URS LT ONE arrives as the top-of-the-range model priced at 7,999€ and fitted with the SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset with a 38T chainring and SRAM Eagle 10-52T cassette.

The BMC URS LT TWO is priced at €5,999 and comes with the SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset and the same 38T ratio at the front and 10-52 cassette at the rear.

For more information, please visit the official BMC website.