Beautiful Bicycle: BMC Fourstroke 01 with Flight Attendant
More than than three years into the ChatGPT era, when the platform went mainstream, we're all doing things differently these days, whether it's leaning on AI for general expertise (though be careful about cycling topics, where AI is error prone), asking anonymous (embarrassing?) questions, or automating grunt work (budget tracking?) we'd rather not do.
Cost aside, why then are most mountain bikers spending valuable mental energy on constantly engaging their suspension lockout, when state-of-the-art technology like RockShox Flight Attendant can do the work for you, enabling a rider to place their time and energy into far more valuable aspects of a race or ride?
That is one of the many questions asked—and definitively answered—by our latest Beautiful Bicycle: a black and white BMC Fourstroke 01 with cherry red Flight Attendant.
By analyzing a gobsmacking amount of data from the SRAM AXS ecosystem—fork, shock, cranks and chainring (pedaling and power data), rear derailleur, and dropper post—Flight Attendant adjusts to the rider and the trail in the blink of eye, seamlessly toggling between open, pedal, and lockout modes. In addition to looking rad, this is a classic case of less is more: that by letting go and letting Flight Attendant bear the burden of suspension adjustments, that same mental energy can be redirected to what matters most: your heart rate and power, your line picking and cornering, your pacing and your attacks.
And as a quick side, if you've been wanting to take the plunge on a Flight Attendant setup but have been waiting for the right moment, consider this your PSA: for a limited time, Contender has taken some of our very best cross-country (XC) bikes and upgraded them with Flight Attendant and a power meter, for a fraction of the normal cost. A collection of XC bikes pre-upgraded with the Flight Attendant is available here.
Ready to jump into this bike? Us too—let’s hit it.
Frame: A Platform That Delivers
The BMC Fourstroke 01 has always been a bike for riders who value efficiency over theatrics. Its geometry, suspension kinematics, and carbon layup are designed to maintain momentum and encourage an aggressive, xc-friendly riding style. That ethos pairs perfectly with the Flight Attendant philosophy introduced above: commit to the effort, stay smooth, and let the bike do what it does best without constant intervention.
Suspension: When the Numbers Take Over
As we noted above, Flight Attendant’s real advantage isn’t just that it can manage suspension—it’s how often it does, underscoring the system’s ability to constantly keep a rider in the sweet spot, with the precise amount of suspension. Case in point: as we noted in our Flight Attendant ‘Deep Dive’ from last year, a 2019 report from Scott showed that pro racer Nino Schurter engaged his remote lockout 160 times on the Lenzerheide World Cup course. Fast forward to the first time Flight Attendant was raced on the same course, and it was engaged more than 1,300 times, which is more than 8x the frequency of Schurter’s rate of activation.
In Contender’s ride review, we noted that Flight Attendant didn’t just save watts; it saved attention. On long climbs, it removed the temptation to constantly second-guess lockout timing. On rolling terrain, it allowed full commitment to speed and line choice, knowing the suspension would respond instantly when the trail demanded it. Also eliminated: the off chance of forgetting to disengage the lockout when starting to descend.
In short, this Fourstroke doesn’t just ride efficiently—it enforces efficiency, especially when fatigue and decision overload start to creep in.
Drivetrain & Power: Feeding the System
Moving along, Flight Attendant’s adaptive adjustments depend on quality inputs, and this build delivers them in spades. The SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS drivetrain offers precise, quiet shifting under load, while the integrated power meter provides constant pedaling data to the system. Rather than staring at numbers mid-race or mid-ride, the rider benefits from those metrics automatically, through smarter suspension behavior that responds instantly to effort changes.
Cockpit: Less Hardware, More Riding
Up front, the BMC carbon cockpit reinforces the “less is more” thesis. With no lockout levers demanding attention, the bar area stays clean and distraction-free. Hand positions are natural, ergonomics are dialed, and the front end simply melds with the rider. It’s exactly how a modern XC cockpit should feel when everything is working in harmony.
Wheels & Tires: Predictable Speed
The Duke Lucky Jack carbon wheelset, paired with Pirelli Scorpion XC RC tires, provides fast acceleration, dependable traction, and a ride feel that complements Flight Attendant’s intelligent adjustments. Predictability is the through-line here; when grip and handling are consistent, the rider can commit harder, and with more confidence.
Learn More
Have questions about Flight Attendant? Or ready to get rolling on a Flight Attendant bike or upgrade of your own?
We’d love to help. Come by the shop any time, send us an email here, or give us a call at (801) 364-0344.
Bike Details:
| Frameset | Fourstroke 01 Premium Carbon |
| Groupset | SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission |
| Crankset | SRAM XX SL Eagle T-Type AXS w/ Power Meter |
| Gearing | 34t Chainring, 10-52t Cassette |
| Brakes | SRAM Level Ultimate |
| Wheelset | Duke Lucky Jack SLS4 |
| Fork/Shock | RockShox SID Ultimate 120mm Flight Attendant Fork Electric Red, SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant rear shock Electric Red |
| Handlebars | BMC MFB 01 Carbon |
| Stem | BMC MSM 01 |
| Tires | Pirelli Scorpion XC RC | 2.4" |
| Saddle | Prologo Dimension NDR |
| Seatpost | BMC Autodrop Integrated Dropper Seatpost |
