BMC Fourstroke LT LTD

Sitting at the pointy end of BMC’s mountain bike offerings, this Fourstroke LT LTD is a gorgeous example of BMC at its best.

Clean lines.

Impeccable construction.

We recently had the opportunity to sell, fit, and ogle this cross country killer. Enjoy the image gallery, and message us if you’d like to explore a build of your own. Bike availability is so much better than it was just a few months ago, and dream bikes like this are out there, waiting for their forever home.

With 120mm of quality suspension, this really is a want-for-nothing build. The SRAM AXS electronic dropper eliminates the need for a dropper cable. Pair that with electronic shifting, and you only have two brake cables to route for an extremely clean look. This Fourstroke model comes with DT Swiss XRC 1501 wheels that feature straightpull DT240 hubs, and carbon rims. Wrap those in fast rolling Maxxis Rekon tires, and you’ve got a stellar setup for cross country, X-Terra, and light trail racing.

We dig it.

BMC Teammachine SLR

A lightweight build for a client attempting their next Everesting, this BMC Teammachine FRS delivers spectacular results without breaking the bank. The end result, a gorgeous bike that tips the scales at just over 16 pounds with pedals, cages, 30mm tires, and good ol’ fashioned butyl tubes.

Frame

To be clear, this is not the $5,300 SLR01 frameset from BMC, rather it’s the standard SLR that retails for $2,200 with a matching fork and seatpost. That’s a great price for BMC quality. And because the standard SLR frame doesn’t use a proprietary front end, our customer was able to repurpose an existing Black Inc. one piece bar & stem to save a few dollars on the build.

Drivetrain

With holographic decals that match, this frame was destined to run the new SRAM Force AXS components. The 1x setup shaves weight, and the 40t front matched with a 10-36 cassette provides plenty of range for training and everyday riding. Rather than opting for an XPLR setup and larger cassette from SRAM, we’ll simply swap to a 38t chainring for the Everesting event. This should provide extra relief for tired legs, without the ungainly visual of a massive cassette.

Wheels

The wheels on this bike are the star of the show, and one of the biggest ways we saved weight. These are 24 hole Light Bicycle AR25 rims, laced to Industry Nine hubs with Sapim Laser spokes. The 1109g weight is astonishingly light, and these hand-built wheels retail for more than $1,000 less than a comparable set from ENVE or Zipp.

We could have shaved another 40g going with a straight pull DT240, or something of that nature, but ultimately decided the style and durability of Industry Nine hubs were too good to pass up.

And yes, the AR25 is technically a gravel rim with a max psi of 70. We’ve done the math, and visited the SILCA tire pressure calculator to confirm that a pressure in the high 50’s with 30mm tires will work just fine for this rider’s weight. What’s more, the hybrid hook design allows for the use of either a tubed or tubeless setup.

MISC

An alloy railed Pro Stealth Evo saddle is a solid choice, and perhaps our best selling saddle in the shop. Ultegra pedals stay true to the build, and Pirelli P-Zero 4 Season tires are a quality option. Slap on a pair of Arundel cages, and you’ve got an extremely nice bike, that leaves room in the budget for groceries.

We could weight-weenie this bike down to the low fifteens, but these are all components that will provide years a durable service. This is a bike that will be ridden, and not looked at, after all.

Have a build in mind? Come see us. These are the things we love to do.

English Cycles SS Gravel

Ce n’est pas un velo. This is an heirloom in waiting. It’s a marker, designating this moment in time. One to reflect upon at some later date.

I was here.

I had adventures.

I witnessed scenes of impossible beauty, and discovered things about myself that I’m unwilling to share.

When we launched Bicycle House, we did so with English Cycles as our go-to custom bike builder. Having been a fan of Rob’s past work, I (Thomas here) immediately signed myself up for a frame. While his lead times are rather long, the end result more than justifies the sixteen month wait. This, my personal bike, is representative of all Rob’s work. It’s impeccably precise. The angles are bang on, and for those of us who’ve seen thousands of bikes in our career, the build quality is immediately, tangibly better.

It’s the details, like a rear thru-axle that unthreads so easily because the frame is absolutely straight. It’s the impossibly thin seat stays, and uber clean brazes. It’s the ability to ask for an extra bottle mount on the rear of an integrated seat post. Every angle, part, and piece of this bike was considered. Perhaps too much so…

But that’s the point of a custom bike, really. It’s a celebration of cycling. Mine, is a lifelong love affair.

Design Brief

  • A simple, single speed specific gravel bike with room for up to 38mm tires, but not much more.

  • An appropriately sized head tube, so that I won’t need to run spacers under the stem.

  • An eccentric BB to apply chain tension, for a clean rear dropout.

  • An integrated seat post, and one piece bar/stem to help maintain the clean aesthetic.

  • Mounting points for three bottles (but not the standard bottle mount on the underside of the down tube), plus a mount for a bolt on top tube bag.

  • Simple paint, embarrassingly inspired by this G-wagon I saw on Instagram, and our shop colors.

Parts List

I tried to keep things as cohesive as possible for this build, and chose White Industries for this. Their build quality is superb, their parts are durable, and they’re made in the US. In addition, they use a titanium freehub that holds up well for single speed applications.

  • Headset/Hubs/Bottom Bracket/Crankset - White Industries

  • Rims - Light Bicycle AR25 28h

  • Spokes - Sapim Laser

  • Tires - Pirelli Gravel H 700x35

  • Tubeless Valves - Terske titanium

  • One piece bar/stem - Black Inc, painted to match frame

  • Brakes - TRP Hylex levers w/Dura Ace calipers & Shimano rotors

  • Chain - YBN Titanium

  • Rear Single Speed Cog & Spacers - Endless Bike

  • Saddle - Giant Fleet SLR

  • Pedals - Shimano XTR

  • Bartape - Fi’zi:k Solocush

  • Bottle Cages - Wolftooth Titanium

  • Frame Bolts - Better Bolts low profile titanium

Looking for your own heirloom? Reach out. Let’s talk about your perfect bike.

BMC URS 01 THREE

BMC URS 01 THREE

The new BMC URS 01 THREE features unique touches that separate it from a sea of same, and we dig it.

Notably, the URS features Campy Ekar. This is the lightest gravel drivetrain currently available, featuring a show-stopping crank, 13 speeds, and an updated version of the classic Campagnolo hood/lever shape. It’s a beautiful component group, and we’re happy that BMC paired it with Campagnolo’s brilliant Levante carbon wheels for a cohesive appearance.

As opposed to the race inspired Kaius, the URS features larger tire clearance and a relaxed 70° head tube angle, for adventures far off the beaten path. Pair that with a Redshift suspension stem, and 10mm of seat stay compliance, and you have a stable platform for exploring B-roads, single track, and more.

These bikes are available now. Come by. We’ll pull measurements and talk through the geometry charts to ensure a perfect fit.

BMC 257 AL THREE

The BMC 257 AL THREE is city bike that’s not electric. Scandalous … we know.

While we have embraced the emerging E-bike market, we understand that not all cycling related problems can be solved by strapping a battery to them. What if you have no interest in overcomplicating a system that has worked for decades? What if you’re an urban rider who would rather simplify the cycling experience?

We brought in multiples of the BMC 257 because we’re this type of rider, and we reckon many of you are as well. A clean, low-maintenance, dedicated urban bike has always held a special place in our hearts.

FRAME

The BMC 257 features an aluminum frame that’s been powder coated to better survive the nicks and scrapes of everyday urban life. It comes with integrated fenders, a small rack that’s perfect for rear panniers, and a quality kickstand. The front end is easily adjustable, and the frame comes in four sizes to fit the majority of riders we see.

DRIVETRAIN & BRAKES

The 257’s internally geared, belt drive system is one of our favorite commuter setups. The belt lasts an exceptionally long time, and requires no lubrication or maintenance of any kind. Pair that with an 8 speed internally geared hub and you have a bike with an extremely low cost of ownership. Shimano hydraulic disc brakes round out the package, providing secure stopping in all conditions.

We’ve got SM, MD, and LG options of the BMC 257 AL THREE available in store now. Come by, we’ll pull measurements and dial in the fit to ensure you’ve got a comfortable, efficient new bike.

OTSO x Bicycle House

Bringing in a new bike brand is a tricky endeavor. There are no-fun business decisions to consider. There’s the political game of not upsetting your other brand partners, and the hope that you’re bringing in something that will sell, not just something you like.

Since opening, we’ve been on the hunt for a bike brand that deals in materials other than the ubiquitous aluminum and carbon fiber we all know. In particular, we’ve been looking for reasonably priced steel and titanium frames, that offer some level of customization. When OTSO—a brand that ticks all of those boxes—invited us to become their first Texas dealer, we jumped at the opportunity.

We’ve been fans of Wolftooth products for some time, and OTSO is the cycling company that grew from the success of the Wolftooth line. This Minnesota based brand creates modern gravel, mountain, and fat bikes, working hand-in-hand with the Wolftooth crew, while carving their own niche in the industry.

Fit

OTSO bikes feature an approachable geometry that should work well for most riders. Within the line there are slight variations, but their bikes are all neutral platforms that will fit racers and recreational riders alike. Their bikes feature an adjustable rear dropout that will increase the wheelbase for more stability in the rear position, provide a more agile feel in the forward position, and a bit of both in the middle.

Details

The benefit of being a bike company born from a parts company, is that OTSO bikes come equipped with quality Wolftooth accessories. You choose headset, cage bolt, and seat clamp color when ordering a frame. For complete bikes, you have the option of selecting several different bar, saddle, fork, and drivetrain options.

We appreciate the horizontal dropouts that also allow OTSO bikes to be run single speed. While this style of riding isn’t for everyone, we love it, and love that we have the option to run a simple, low maintenance SS setup with the OTSO conversion kit.

James is already riding his Warakin Stainless, and we’re honored to be the first dealers of OTSO bikes in the lone star state. Visit the OTSO site. Play with the bike builder to see just how reasonably priced they are. If something speaks to you, come see us. We can provide more details, plan a build, and measure you to ensure we order in the best bike for your size. OTSO builds unique bikes for discerning riders who crave something different, and we’re proud to carry the line.