Beautiful Bicycle: Staff Edition, Joseph’s BMC Kaius

With the massive development of gravel bikes over the past few years, gravel race bikes have started to blur the lines between road performance and gravel capability. The all-new BMC Kaius is one such bike, boasting 52mm tire clearance while preserving a road-bike fit and feel. Recently, I purchased the BMC Kaius 01 Two build and made a few valuable upgrades to turn it into my perfect “groad” bike. Since building it, I have beaten my personal best on all five canyon descents in the Wasatch and tackled ENVE Grodeo, a 92-mile course filled with chunky gravel, affirming that I made the right choice.

Frame Detail

BMC set out to create the best frame possible for gravel racing. To do that, the brand took the original Kaius platform and gave it slightly more stack height and a longer top tube. This adds stability and a bit of comfort to the riding position, which is paramount for long, rough gravel rides. BMC also increased the frame’s compliance and tire clearance, adding even more capability to the platform.

Even with these gravel-focused changes, the Kaius does not lose its character when ridden on tarmac. I was able to match the fit of my previous BMC Teammachine R by using a 10mm shorter stem and a zero-offset seatpost. The bottom bracket on the Kaius also sits 10mm lower, which compensates for the additional tire volume. With all these factors combined, the bike comes as close as possible to delivering a road-bike feel on a gravel frame without compromising tire clearance.

Drivetrain

Picking the perfect drivetrain for both road and gravel performance can be challenging, so I chose the SRAM Force AXS XPLR 13-speed system. The 13-speed cassette provides the range needed for gravel while keeping the jumps between gears as close to a road setup as possible for a 1x drivetrain. This helps me maintain a consistent cadence across a wide range of grades. To keep the bike dialed for both road and gravel, I use two chainrings: a 48-tooth Wolf Tooth Aero Chainring for asphalt and fast gravel days, and a 42-tooth SRAM chainring for high-altitude gravel rides.

For cleanliness and maximum efficiency, I wax the chain with CeramicSpeed UFO Endurance, which keeps the drivetrain clean and smooth in a variety of conditions. To further improve drivetrain efficiency, I also use a CeramicSpeed bottom bracket and OSPW System. These components reduce drivetrain friction, help improve chain and cassette durability, and minimize power loss through the drivetrain. The ceramic bearings also offer a long service life, helping the system remain smooth over the lifetime of the bike. Due to the design of the OSPW System, a longer chain is not required for the XPLR drivetrain, so SRAM’s standard chain calculator can still be used without modification.

Wheels & Tires

Wheels and tires are among the most important components for ensuring strong performance on both road and gravel, so I chose the ENVE G Series SES 4.5 PRO wheels. These are ENVE’s latest gravel-focused wheelset, with a 30mm internal width that supports wider tires and helps prevent them from ballooning beyond the rim. The wheels also feature ENVE Innerdrive PRO hubs with ceramic bearings, helping minimize rolling resistance.

Like the chainrings, I keep several tire setups available. For road riding, I use 45mm Continental Terra Competition tires. For gravel, I choose between 52mm ENVE Hex Carapace tires, 50mm Teravail Updraft tires, or 50mm Continental Dubnital tires depending on the terrain and moisture levels of the route. All tires are set up with Orange Seal Endurance sealant, which has worked well for maintaining air pressure and sealing punctures.

Cockpit & Contact Points

To stay as comfortable as possible, I chose the BMC ICS Aero Cockpit Gen 2 with a 90mm stem and a 37/42cm width. This setup keeps me stable while descending in the drops and comfortable while riding on the hoods. The bars are wrapped in Supacaz Splat tape, my favorite bar tape, in a fun colorway that helps the bike stand out.

I also swapped the stock 10mm-offset seatpost for a zero-offset option because I prefer to position my saddle as far forward as possible. Discontinued TIME Xpro 15 pedals complete the contact points. Their broad, supportive platform helps keep my feet comfortable during long days on the bike.

Closing

As a bike that performs well on both gravel and pavement, it is difficult to find a more versatile option than the Kaius 01. I do not road race, so I do not need the top-end performance of a dedicated road race bike, which is where the Kaius begins to give up a little ground. For everyday versatility and the freedom to ride nearly any road or trail I choose, the Kaius is the perfect bike for me.

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