BPR 2009 R2 Ultegra

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R2 SPEC

Frame: BPR Carbon Monocoque

Fork: BPR full carbon

Headset: Internal

Wheels: BPR Aero 30

Tyres: Maxxis

inner tube: BPR

Seatpost: BPR Carbon Monocoque

Bar: RRO LT OS

stem:
RRO LT OS

Bar Tape: BPR

Saddle: BPR

Front derailleur:Ultegra

Rear derailleur:Ultegra

shifter: Ultegra

F/der adaptor:Ultegra

Cable: Ultegra

Chain: Ultegra

Cassette: Ultegra

Chainwheel/BB: Ultegra

Brake: Ultegra

Weight: under 7.5kg

Pearl White Frame

Bike Review: BIKEPRO R2  -  ULTEGRA SL

Two things stand out immediately about the Bike PRO Racing (BPR) R2.  It is an elegant and quite distinctive looking machine with a mildly compact frame, straight, purposeful forks, and oversized steerer tube and bottom bracket structures. 

The exposed carbon black and pearlised white frame with sky-blue trim is complimented by white bar tape, black seat, seat tube, head stem, hubs and rims.  The cranks, derailleurs, shifters and brakes are all in Shimano’s dark metallic grey.  There are very few brand names and badges anywhere to be seen and the overall impression is one of understatement and purposefulness.  It has certainly turned plenty of heads since I’ve been out and about on it.

Bike Specs

Frame

The BPR R2 has a carbon fibre frame with a gently sloping top tube.  There is a great deal of structure around both the bottom bracket and the steerer tube and the frame is impressively rigid as a result.  The steering angle is quite steep giving the bike responsive steering. The seat stays are bowed for some “give” when the tarmac gets a bit bumpy.  The seat tube is a carbon fibre unit.

The build quality of the BPR frame is faultless. The surface finish of the frame is smooth, glossy and unflawed.  The fit of the axles in the wheel drop outs, the fit of the seat tube, the fine tolerance between the forks and the steerer tube all suggests close attention has been paid to build quality.

Wheels

The Aero 30 Wheel set are custom built by BikePRO and have not only impressed me with their strength and rigidity but have withstood the close examination of my mates at Hawthorn Cycling Club.  The front wheel has 20 flat-sectioned spokes and the rear has 24.  The rims are 30mm deep sections and the rims and hubs are both plain black.

I was particularly interested that BikePro build their own wheels here in Melbourne and are, by their own admission, “a bit fussy” in this department. 

Running Gear:

My BPR R2 is fitted with Shimano Ultegra SL.  The gear changing is smooth, instantaneous and quiet.  Can’t fault it.

Weight

The BPR R2 with my Look pedals, drink cages, trip meter and associated sensors weighs in at a light 8.1kg.  Again, it is very hard to fault the BPR R2.  There has been no attempt to really strip weight off the bike with ultra lightweight components.  In fact when I weighed it, it had a chunky skewer on the rear for training on a stationary trainer, two small lights and some bog-standard Maxxis Colombiere training tyres instead of lightweight racing numbers.

Opinions

After much searching, the BPR R2 stood out as great value for money.  Its looks were immediately appealing and after some weeks of training and racing I can say its performance has exceeded my expectations.  I am really delighted with the rigidity of the frame and wheels, the weight and the responsiveness of the bike and its high level of comfort and build quality.  Training on it is a pleasure – what more can be said?

I am thrilled with my BPR and can highly recommend it as a top bike for a very reasonable price.

MEGAN MARSH - 2009 World  & Australian M3-4 Pursuit Champion