Saw this bicycle at the BMW dealer today. They had it marked down from $3495 to $2495. It has Dura-Ace 9-speed components on it.

The interesting thing I saw on the bike was the in-line guage on the rear derailleur housing near the shift lever. It looked like it showed what rear gear you were currently in. Is this cable housing gauge option available for ultegra? What is it called? A gear indicator?



What company do you think makes this frame?

that is a separate peice you can probably buy at your local bike store.

I think that piece is called a visual gear indicator. I had one in the box when I got my Dura Ace brifters, but I didn't install them.

Is that downtube bladed, ovalized or round? Looks pretty big.

Nothing wrong with D/A 9speed except that they went 10speed two years ago. And who makes that frame? That's what I'd want to know.

I would be curious as to the rest of the component package as well as the frame. I have no problem with it being Dura Ace 9 spd...but for $2500.00 I would like to know more.

Cheers,

Brian

BMW introduces: an exclusive, high-tech racing bicycle based on the world-class engineering and design of the Q6.S mountain bike. The hallmarks of the Q8.R are an ultralight, extreme torsionally stiff aluminum frame and use of such aerospace quality materials as carbon fiber for the forks and handlebars. The result is an extremely strong, highly competitive racing bike that weighs only 17 pounds. Rims and wheel hubs are from Mavic Ksyrium while the gears (2X9), front derailleur and brakes are Shimano Dura Ace. Normally the duo race world-class times in power engines with four wheels. Yet, Juan-Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher have also found two-wheelers without engines inspiring -as long as these meet the high demands of Formula-1 pilots.

You will find the reliable BMW standards of technical perfection, quality and design united in the BMW bikes of the latest generation - the Q8R. This highly competitive cycle weighs in as a flyweight at 7.8 kilograms and displays levels of stability and power-transmission that are astonishing. What both racing professionals really like: the Q8.R design is conformed to the BMW Williams Formel1-Boliden FW23. The Q8.R is not buit only for Stars: this optic and technical highlight of the BMW bicycle series is available now.

The Q8.R features original Formula 1 white-blue paint that matches the design of the BMW.Williams FW24 and is available in five frame sizes

Q8.R additional info: This exclusive, high-tech 08.R street racer ushers in yet another chapter of BMW engineering. As is fitting for part of the BMW Williams F1 team collection, the BMW 08.R is suitable for competition. Its unique ride is due in part to an ultra-lightweight, tubular aluminum frame which offers extremely torsional rigidity -in five sizes, for a precise rider fit. The full carbon fork and handlebars add strength and shave weight; Shimano Dura Ace shifters and Mavic Ksyrium wheels yield top-quality performance. All this, in a paint scheme that echoes the unmistakable colors of the BMW. Williams F1. For the serious BMW race enthusiast, there has never been a better choice.

Q8.R features:

* Ultralight aluminum frame with original BMW tubular design for unique ride
* 18-speed
* Gears (2x9), front derailleur and brakes:
* Shimano~ Dura Ace components
* Full carbon Profile AC fork and handlebars
* BMW. Williams F1 racing colors
* Mavic Ksyrium rims and wheel hubs
* Continental GP Supersonic black tires
* 17.2 pounds (7.8 kg) overall weight
* Available in five sizes, for riders 5' 4. to 6' 5". tall

Color: White/Blue

Sizes:
XS (for riders 5' 3.5" -5' 5.5")
S (for riders 5' 5" -5' 7")
M (for riders 5' 7" -5' 9")
L (for riders 5' 9" -5' 11.5")
XL (for riders 6' 0" -6' 5")

Full carbon Profile AC handlebars (Shimano Dura Ace components)

BMW marketing team in full spin-doctor mode.....bloody funny. Good post!

The one at my dealer in Houston had dura-ace shifters, brakes, derailleurs, crank and pedals. The down tube is a fat rectangle. The tag on the floor model didn't say what size it was.

That's as ugly looking as the BMW 5 series.

Tommy Hilfiger

lol....

The sale price is due to the fact that BMW no longer supplies engines to the Williams F-1 team. BMW bought the Sauber team recently. I don't know what the color scheme will be, but it won't be blue and white...

They must have let Chris Bangle have a go at the bikes too.

If this is anything like the Porsche bike, it's a generic far-eastern frame with top-end components and is bought by idiots.


I tend to use the little known technique of looking down at my rear cassette.

Above is from the Mountain Biking forum FAQ page on advice for buying a bike. I'd think it holds true for road as well. That indicator really makes me suspicious--it reminds me of something you'd see on an infomercial. I have a feeling it's designed with the non-cyclist suburbanite in mind who wants to fit in with the crowd down at Starbucks or have a bike because his neighbors/business partners all have road bikes. It'll even match the car. The price, based on the specs, though I'd like to see who makes the frame before I make a final judgement, seems way to steep.

When you are sitting inside you can't see those slanted headlights. And who am I to judge car looks? I drive an Element.


(She Who Must Be Obeyed drives the 525)

"Car Branded bikes
Anytime you see Jeep, Honda (except the new DH bike which the average Joe can't buy yet), or Hummer RUN AWAY"

You forgot the GMC Denali and Cadillac bicycles.



Or did you?

Nope, didn't forget--wouldn't touch 'em with a long pole. That was a direct quote from the MTB forum, and both of those are "road bikes" (I'm using the term loosely), so they didn't bring those up. I was just saying that the rule probably holds true for road bikes as well.

I guess I should have put in the /Homer Simpson voice/ "or did you?". I should hope nobody here would ride one of those bikes. I'm trying to convince my wife that her daughter would ride her bike more if it wasn't the most horrid excuse of a bike ever made.

Don't worry, I got it when I first read it, but others may not have, so I wanted to keep the uninformed from looking for one of those.

[QUOTE=EURO]If this is anything like the Porsche bike, it's a generic far-eastern frame with top-end components and is bought by idiots.


I thought the last xPorsche Bike I saw was made by Starck?? I thought that they are a reputable builder.

Didn't Colnago make a bike for very famous italian automotive brand (think horse)?

I'm gonna go ahead and take a stab in the dark and say that none of y'all have ever owned a BMW. I say that because if you had, you would know that BMW means quality (well... acually it means Bavarian Motor Works... but you get the idea). If they can make a formula-1 car, which incorporates literally millions of components that are just a liiiiiiiiiitle bit more complicated than your rear cassette, i'm pretty sure they can engineer a bike that kicks some serious ass. Plus, if they do indeed transfer even a fraction of the dedication and meticulous spirit that they use to build their cars onto that bike... wow.

I would be very interested to ride that thing.

Of course... I so like to try things before bashing them... (not that i'm insinuating anything...)

Problem is they didn't design the bike. All they did is buy them from some company, and slapped their stickers on it.

I always thought this thing looked pretty cool.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/outd...s/1277371.html