Five things you need to know about...BMC URS From €/$3,799

Refreshed URS gravel bike range expands ride horizons and goes electric

- Simon Fellows

1 It's more versatile

When the original URS was launched five years ago, it was positioned as an adventure gravel bike, rather than a performance gravel bike. This latest iteration builds on that foundation. It's a machine for bikepacking, exploration, time spent in nature and for having fun hooning about off-road, rather than a performance bike. BMC likes to call it 'Unrestricted'.

The URS is now more versatile than ever, with slacker geometry, more generous tyre clearances and even an electric version to carry you further, faster. There are four distinct model lines: the URS, URS 01, URS 01 LT and electric URS AMP LT, with all but the latter available in a variety of different builds.

It's easiest to think of the URS as the base model and the URS 01 and its variants, as the premium choices.

2 It's more capable

Two changes redefine the URS's character - tyre clearance and geometry. All four models now ship with 44mm tyres, with clearance for up to 47mm (measured).

The URS's geometry is characterised by a long frame reach combined with a short stem. This geometry, which enhances stability my means of the longer reach while sharpening handling with a short stem, will be familiar to mountain bikers. Adding to this 'long, low and slack' approach is a head angle that has been reduced to 69.5°, a move that should make for more confident descending on challenging downhills.