Spotted: Prototype Full Suspension Bike Spied Near BMC Headquarters

Feb 22, 2021
by James Smurthwaite  
photo

An unreleased full suspension prototype bike has been spotted in a bike park near Biel, just 20km from the headquarters of Swiss brand BMC.

The bike was spotted by a local rider and then shared with the Instagram page, the European Bike Project. The only other frame brand located in the area are Bold however we can't see them deviating from their concealed shock design, which leads us to speculate that the bike belongs to BMC.

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The bike was spotted at the Magglingen cable car, not far from BMC's headquarters in Grechen.

bigquotesA longtime follower sent me these photos which he took in the Magglingen cablecar in Biel, Switzerland. He talked to the owner of this unmarked bike who confirmed that you can't buy it yet. My source says that the bike seems to use a dual-link suspension design and that it looks like mix of Unno and Mondraker. I'm sorry I don't have any other information at the moment, neither on the brand nor on the manufacturing location.

However, I can confirm that there is definitely no review dropping tomorrow - at least not on this channel
European Bike Project

photo

If it is a bike from BMC then it's a clear departure from their current designs. Previous BMC bikes including the Fourstroke and Trailfox Amp used a system called APS (Advanced Pivot System), a short link system with the shock oriented vertically. This prototype bike still looks like it uses a short link design, however now the shock is mounted horizontally and low slung. It's tough to tell details such as wheel size or travel from these photos but we have noticed that the longest travel, non-electric bike the brand currently sells is 120mm (Fourstroke LT and Speedfox), which leaves plenty of room for something with a burlier attitude in its range.

BMC Fourstroke
Current BMC bikes use the APS system with shocks mounted vertically

Further details are thin on the ground at the moment but BMC said, "At this stage, we can only confirm that we are busy working on something new. We’ll for sure keep you informed when the right time comes."

Author Info:
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Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles

127 Comments
  • 155 10
 When Specialized lets you copy homework, but tells you to change a little bit so the teacher can't tell.
  • 42 1
 I hear a Legend about Banshee screaming whooo?
  • 13 2
 Even has a specialized saddle, bottle, and bottle cage.
  • 14 0
 Banshee Legend started it all
  • 14 0
 comes with a pre-made lawsuit all you have to do is file
  • 18 6
 Öhlins fork and shock?
I bet it's a Specialized! They have their electric development department in switzerland.
Maybe the new stumpy we are looking at?
  • 6 0
 @WoS: then they are really trying to throw us off with the Maxxis rubber.
  • 6 0
 @WoS: Didnt a new stumpy JUST come out?
  • 2 0
 @WoS: No TWAT... I mean SWAT.
  • 5 0
 It looks like a forbidden without the hpp to my eyes.
  • 2 0
 Then did Specialized copy GT? Check out the 2014 trail bike.......lol looks like everyones homework is being copied! lol
  • 2 0
 @skeen95: It's also Speci's chainstay protector, isn't it?
  • 1 1
 More like a Scott Spark RC or Orbea Oitz.
  • 2 0
 @WoS:

chainstay protector screams sbc
  • 2 2
 Can‘t see a SWAT box. Not a Specialized.
  • 1 0
 And look at the junction of the top tube and seat tube and also the seatstay to the link. Compare this to the BMC. Same design language.
  • 3 0
 That rear suspension does look pretty Specialized to me + They've got one of their development centers in Cham, Switzerland.
No SWAT box could just mean that they did not bother with it on this mule.
  • 2 0
 @pyromaniac:
That means nothing. No actual Specialized bike has this kind of top to seat tube junction andalso no covered bearings while BMC has exactly that. But the managed to fool the internet by mounting a few Spesh bit distracting from the essentials. Wink
  • 4 0
 @sbrdude1: have you seen a scott spark OR an oitz ???? they couldn't look less like this prototype ????
  • 2 0
 I guess they are very Specialized in copying stuff...
  • 1 1
 @Mettwurst82: He was joking mate
  • 1 0
 @WoS: If you look at the front of the seattube above the top tube, it has the signature BMC shape with a little more internal space presumably for their integrated dropper. That and a flatter top tube and a wider down tube than you'll typically see on other brands. Also note the shorter head tube and the angled lines of the rear triangle towards the axle, all dead giveaways for BMC. BMC hasn't had a revamp of their mid to long travel trail bikes in a few years, and with the market direction I reckon they're due for an update, so I think there's no arguing this isn't BMC.
  • 1 0
 @ChristianR25: strange sense of humor, though...
  • 1 0
 @Mettwurst82: Aren't we all strange and wrong sometimes?
  • 1 0
 @pyromaniac: Specialized never had a dual short link layout, which this bike has. So nothing like Specialized actually.
  • 2 0
 Specialized?
Yeah, it’s about time they dumped that FSR stuff...
  • 1 0
 @whattheheel: looks so good
  • 1 0
 Pretty crazy seatstays.
  • 3 0
 Now we know, it's a SCOR!
  • 113 2
 How come people who snag spyshots are always using a cell phone camera for 2007?
  • 42 2
 Probably because they are taken from a distance and then zoomed in and cropped. It's not like they go up to the person and say "Hey let me take a picture of that unreleased bike!"
  • 31 23
 Because they were actually taken by the bike brand in question to create hype, you people need to stop being so gullible. Even the shittiest phone from 5yrs ago takes better pictures than this.
  • 10 0
 It's called overspreading, probably starts full hd
  • 2 0
 Darkness and movement.
  • 106 0
 Because it's taken from a spy camera, and then the microfilm is smuggled to Pinkbike by mini submarine. Duh.
  • 6 2
 Wonder if this phone also has alien and big foot photos on it as well.
  • 9 0
 They’re the same guys (and girls) who take photos of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster
  • 5 0
 @CustardCountry: You're talking about the BFRO (Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, its really a thing), and they have high-tech gear that takes spectacular pictures, just none of actual Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster.
  • 3 0
 @SlodownU: you might be right, but your logic re the quality of the photo is circular.
  • 6 5
 l am very much into sasquatch, upright canines and the paranormal in general but the bfro, l feel is a joke. They're the same sort who bring you the ridiculous show Finding Bigfoot. There are real pix out there but the good ones are rarely released for good reason. Once in 2009, on my mtb, l had brief encounter with what I think was a Bigfoot. It absolutely wasn't a bear, or a dear but a giant black humanoid figure run across the trail then freight train through the trees. It was very unnerving.
  • 11 0
 @Thirty3:could it have been oj ? Did it have a knife ?
  • 4 1
 @Thirty3: They’re not just the same sort, but the actual people who bring you that ridiculous show Finding Bigfoot. And I agree with you, there are a lot of unexplained things out there that just don’t fall into easily categorized explanations. I’ve spent enough time outdoors riding, fishing, hunting that I’ve also seen and heard some shit.
  • 1 1
 @jaytdubs: You know, there are ways to purposely take shitty pictures......Taking good pictures would defeat the whole purpose.
  • 2 0
 I saw them at Ridemonkey, the quality is much better. Seems like PB lowered the resolution.
  • 2 0
 @Middnight: and really small gloves..?
  • 7 0
 @Noeserd:

"It's called overspreading, probably starts full hd"

I feel like I should report this comment
  • 1 0
 @uphill-blues: Oh my hell I didn't read that slow enough hahahaha
  • 2 0
 @uphill-blues: i didn't get it
  • 3 0
 @DirkMcClerkin: Cavity phone to allow inconspicuous sidling up to subject.. then uncomfortable reveal and pics look like crap. Literally.
  • 3 0
 @salespunk: I don't understand why you wouldn't ask exactly that. I was in Morocco in 2017 and was staying in the same hotel as the engineering team testing the then proto Merc G-Wagen in the nearby Sahara dunes. I asked them if they minded if I took some photos of their cars, and got a very pained reply "I would really rather you didn't, but I can't stop you".
  • 6 0
 @DirkMcClerkin: Worth mentioning the spy carried the microfilm from Switzerland to PB HQ in his arse.
  • 4 0
 @Noeserd: Good, that means you're not going to hell.
  • 2 2
 @Thirty3: Definitely, non believers should do their research before dissing!
  • 1 0
 @whattheheel: seems like a spec design but idk
  • 27 1
 Embarrassed to say it, but I'd never catch or notice something like this. I like cool MTB gear and like reading about the tech, but I guess I just don't know (or care) enough to know when something is new, and old model year, new and cool or just some random frame somebody bought from China without stickers.
  • 12 0
 I'm with you. I just don't have that sort of visual/aesthetic memory. My wife has it, but she's no into biking. But she can remember what people are wearing or a mural or piece of art or the color of a room.

Interestingly, my 13 year old son is into biking and inherited her aesthetic memory. We can be with a group of 20 riders, and he'll identify everyone based on the bike they were riding. I might notice someone who is on a distinct bike, but I would tend to say "the dude on the Santa Cruz" whereas my son would then say, "The nomad or the tallboy? The one with the Pike or the one with the 38?" And he doesn't really understand that other people don't have the same visual memory.
  • 3 0
 @Hogfly: interesting observation - I'm with you but I have also seen some young kids that notice this kind of stuff. Although, if I saw a guy roll up on a Monster T, I'd notice Smile
  • 9 0
 @Hogfly: a few years ago i was like your son. But now that i have the bike i always dreamed of, i don't care that much about the bike stuff. Or maybe i'm just older.
  • 7 0
 Same. "Gasp, *bike company* is releasing a new product!" Um, like they do every year? Oooo, big surprise.
  • 3 0
 @Cricri68: I was the same, could never remember faces, but I knew all the bikes. Now I don't care that much and forget both. Shit
  • 3 0
 @Cricri68: haha I totally feel that. I'm a huge nerd and love checking out new stuff, but now that I've finally got a sick FS bike the desire for another bike has disappeared. It's a great feeling lol, but now I'm always thinking about components.
  • 20 0
 ah cool, the snow has gone from Biel gonna head over and do some laps, cheers
  • 9 0
 The most important thing we learned from this shot ^^
  • 3 0
 Rode it today. Hero dirt!
  • 3 0
 @handro: I am new in Biel, if you have some time I am looking for riding buddies!
  • 1 0
 It's gone from around Basel too, last weekend the trails were mostly dry - the weekend before there was snow on the ground Smile
  • 1 0
 Hell yeah!
  • 9 0
 Well, Biel is also home of Camille Balanche and Emilie Siegenthaler (and DT Swiss). Tommy G rides here often as his girlfriend lives in Biel. But most importantly the trail in Biel is completely snowfree what makes it one of only very few open lift assisted DH trails in Switzerland. So who ever lives in the Alps (like Max Chapuis or the Gehrig Twins) might chose this trail as an option as travelling to warmer spots has not been en vogue lately. Unless there are more information you are not disclosing I‘d say anything is possible...
  • 2 0
 And as Switzerland is so big (not). Scott is also just around the corner...
  • 12 0
 No way that's a BMC, there is not one sharp angle on that bike
  • 8 0
 To avoid negative speculation of their top secret new design BMC has strict protocols in place...to never let it leave the building without a water bottle.
  • 8 2
 BMC still pretends to make mountain bikes? Yawn. Haven't seen one in over a decade, and I my last MTB vacation was in Switzerland, where the local demo shop rented me a (drumroll): Transition! Wake me up when PB has spy pics of bikes people actually ride.
  • 4 0
 We can see a bike with a Specialized water bottle, a Specialized bottle cage, seatpost, seat, Ohlins suspension, so maybe, just maybe it has something to do with them. But also there are some differences from specialized's unique bits, so I dont know. Looks good by the way.
  • 8 1
 now that's a spyshot
  • 1 0
 Its not a BMC but it will by produced by BMC. Intel! For sure this is not the final spec, they are just checking out different set ups. To go for a ride, designers and engineers take what they think is usefull out of a shelf full of gear, thats why there are many other parts bolted on......
  • 2 0
 Thinking everyone has copied the trends in Biking....Specialized didn't start everything!! The 2014 GT trail bike had the shock in the same position...
  • 6 1
 Looks neat
  • 4 0
 Lools like a forbidden...without idler.
  • 8 0
 Guys you're in the pinkbike comments, "looks" always has to be followed by "like a session"
  • 4 1
 thats a good looking bike.

I loved my BMC trailfox (after a 1.5 degree angleset adjuster)
  • 3 0
 Same here. Still love it, actually.
  • 4 2
 More linkage design that allows dirt/mud and rocks to get stuck in the pivot linkage slots. Do these engineers actually ride bikes?
  • 4 0
 It's got a spot for a water bottle in the frame, it will sell like crazy.
  • 6 2
 This looks like a custom sprayed Forbidden Druid kitted out with Öhlins
  • 4 0
 Ewwwww, So mysterious.
  • 4 0
 bout time
  • 4 5
 Looks like every bike is going to start looking like this judging by how many copycats have come out recently, the old looks like a Sesh is gonna change to looks like a Spesh...this whole shock tunnel thing seems pointless with gearboxes and e bikes with their bottom bracket motors going to become more and more mainstream, are they expecting to fit all 3 down by the bb in a few years..some miracle gearbox equipped e bike with a shock tunnel? Innovation shpuld point to the future, not be a stop gap, knowing that in a few years the shock tunnel area won't be valid space what's the point in all these brands developing platforms around it and copying each other, this will be a short lived fad for sure if Shimano gets a gearbox to market and e bikes infiltrate the market further.
  • 6 0
 Why do they have to develop the suspension of a normal not-assisted bike in regards to the layout necessary for an ebike motor to fit? It's a normal bike in the first place, you don't need to be accounting for this space. Gearboxes are not going mainstream in any sort of way (YET, I think it needs more time), so why not use this space to centralize mass, and make the thick rigid part of Bike be at the bottom? I think is an interesting design
  • 2 0
 ok maybe crazy lockdown detective but are cable cars really ferrying bikes in mid February in Switzerland?
  • 1 0
 Well yes, Switzerland is not only Alps. We are experiencing exceptionally mild weather these days (10 days ago it was still -5 degrees celsius max). Snow has gone, people are sick of the rona and are riding their bikes...
  • 1 0
 @handro: Thanks - I guess I thought the cable cars all went up high. Anyway - glad you guys are enjoying the hills regardless!
  • 2 0
 New canyon strive, has the same seat tube shape as the spectral and almost a sender rear end.
  • 1 0
 Definitely got some similar elements, especially the seat tube mast
  • 1 0
 I would say it looks more like a prototype non-high-pivot forbidden... like look at the design of that front triangle
  • 3 0
 it's the new highduro
  • 3 0
 It says made in Atlantis
  • 2 0
 That's a Wong Foo frame . It is made in China .
  • 2 0
 No integrated dropper post?!!... bahhh...
  • 2 2
 Everyone wants a Santa Cruz but doesn't want it to say Santa Cruz.
or
The next generation of "looks like a session"
  • 4 7
 Santa Cruz was not even close to first to employ this suspension layout. So stop saying so. They copied multiple other companies..... Its only people that are Santa Cruz fanboi's or Santa Cruz owners that think they were the first to employ this linkage design.
  • 2 2
 @Snowsed341:
So we are fine with everything looking like a session? But because this low slung shock mounting system, lets say was put into the mainstream via Santa Cruz we can't call it a Santa Cruz look a like? Due to the discounting of previous bikes who employ this set up.
  • 2 1
 @al3xabarro: But it wasn't put into the mainstream by Santa Cruz at all, this design was in the mainstream in the early to mid 2000's........ go google a 2007 specialized enduro as one example.
  • 2 0
 looks like a sessi.......santa cruz!
  • 1 0
 Biel / Magglingen. What a great place to ride bikes. On top of that you might even get a glimpse prototype bike.
  • 2 0
 What is going on with the headtube is the question folks
  • 1 0
 Send Troy a message, he's a decent guy and will tell you if it's a BMC or not
  • 1 0
 When specialized, YT, and Canyon put their magic rings together..
  • 1 0
 Adjustable seat angle? Or fancy post clamp?
  • 1 0
 Canyon.
  • 1 0
 How do you know this is a BMC, there’s a privateer right next to it.
  • 1 0
 Was hoping this was the new Intense
  • 1 0
 "Looks like mix of Unno and Mondraker" That is a first.
  • 1 0
 Canyon strive.. Öhlins because of wibmer.
  • 2 0
 And all of his left over specialized gear. I like this theory.
  • 1 0
 Who s the father ? Forbidden or Specialized ?
  • 1 0
 It's and Enddduuurroooooo duuhhh
  • 1 0
 It is not a BMC, I talked to somebody working at BMC
  • 1 1
 New Canyon Strive ?
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