What is BMC’s Timemachine Brake Booster Technology?

Technology in Short

• Manufacturer: BMC
• Technology Type: Brakes
• Availability: Proprietary – BMC bikes only
• Cost: N/A. Brake Booster only comes on TT/Tri versions of BMC’s Timemachine (which are quite expensive!).

What Does BMC Brake Booster Do?

Available only on rim brake versions of BMC’s Timemachine, the Brake Booster technology allows improved braking on the rim brake versions (non Road) of the bikes. From BMC themselves:

“For BMC’s Timemachine 01 the Switzerland design team have truly innovated with their Hidden Brake Booster Technology increases the brake lever pull to caliper ratio ensuring the brake pads always provide sufficient clearance at times of wheel flex.”

Now this very elaborate setup might seem a bit unnecessary or confusing for people who:

• Don’t compete in triathlons
• Don’t travel much with their bikes
• Have disc brakes

But despite the name, the Brake Booster technology is actually designed to make the Timemachine easier to live and travel with.

Firstly no matter how well you pack your bike, if it has rim brakes, the calipers will get knocked. Couple this with changing wheels for training and racing and you’ll understand that wheel rub is quite an annoying issue for triathletes. BMC have increased the gap between wheel and caliper with the Booster tech allowing the lever feel to remain unchanged.

Secondly, the Timemachine is designed to be modular and as easy to disassemble and pack as possible. Housing the main braking mechanism at the back of the stem in this format allows for the cables to be connected and disconnected far easier.

If you’re hankering for the technical nitty gritty you can find the Timemachine manual here.