BMC Kaius 01 Three Bike

The BMC Kaius 01 Three is built on the same Gen 2 Kaius frame as the top-spec One — the same 01 Premium Carbon construction, the same Aerocore Design, the same Tuned Compliance Concept geometry. What changes between the two models is the build: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS in place of Red, an alloy handlebar instead of a one-piece carbon cockpit, CG 40 carbon wheels rather than the CG 39 SL. At $6,199, the Three puts the fastest platform in BMC's gravel lineup in reach of a broader range of riders without changing the part of the bike that matters most on race day.

The Kaius 01 Gen 2 frame is the same structure across the entire Kaius lineup. Built from BMC's 01 Premium Carbon with Aerocore Design — tube shaping borrowed from the Teammachine road platform and refined for gravel racing — the geometry was reworked for Gen 2: sharper at the front for responsive handling, stable at speed, and capable of running tires up to 52mm as measured. ICS Technology routes all cabling internally through the frame. BMC's Tuned Compliance Concept governs how the frame and fork flex — calibrated to absorb sustained vibration without bleeding power, the kind of balance that keeps you effective at mile 80 of a race rather than just mile 20. BMC reports a 7% aerodynamic improvement over the first-generation Kaius at 40 km/h. Five cargo mounts are integrated into the frame: two bottle cage positions with AeroCore integrated cages included, a bottom bracket mount under the downtube, and dual top tube positions front and rear. The fork runs a 12x100mm thru-axle up front; the rear uses a 12x142mm thru-axle with a Universal Derailleur Hanger.

The cockpit takes a different approach than the top-spec One. Rather than a one-piece carbon bar and stem, the Three pairs the BMC RSM 01 integrated stem with the BMC HB D4 alloy handlebar. The D4 has 125mm of drop and 70mm of reach — endurance geometry, designed for a more upright and sustainable position than a dedicated race cockpit. The 12-degree flare keeps your hands planted on rough sections. This is a meaningful difference from the One: the Three's fit is less aggressive, which for many riders is the better configuration for all-day riding — particularly on mixed terrain where you spend long stretches on the hoods. BMC Tacky 3mm bar tape wraps the bars. At the back, the carbon Teammachine SLR 01 Gen 5 aero seatpost carries over directly from the One, available in 0mm offset for sizes 47–51 and 10mm offset for sizes 54–61, topped with a Fizik Vento Argo X5 saddle in 140mm.

SRAM Rival XPLR AXS handles the drivetrain. It's fully wireless — the same AXS platform as Red — running a 42-tooth chainring with a 10-46 13-speed cassette through a direct-mount rear derailleur specific to the XPLR system. Wireless shifting via the SRAM Rival AXS E1 levers delivers consistent performance in the conditions where gravel races happen: mud, rain, dust, and sustained hard effort. The differences between Rival and Red show up in weight and build refinement, not in shifting reliability or day-to-day function. SRAM Rival AXS E1 hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm SRAM Paceline rotors handle stopping at both ends. The crankset is SRAM Rival XPLR Wide E1 with a 42T chainring and SRAM DUB T47 bottom bracket.

The CG 40 Carbon wheels are tubeless-ready with a 40mm rim depth — carbon, tubeless from the factory, and designed to balance aerodynamic efficiency with compliance on rough terrain. Continental Terra Competition Race Rapid tires in 700x45 come mounted. At 8.3 kilograms in size 54 with all accessories, the Three is 1.2 kilograms heavier than the One — a difference that reflects the move from Red to Rival and carbon to alloy at the cockpit, not any change to the frame itself. The Kaius 01 Three comes in Moss Gold / Carbon, available in sizes 47cm through 61cm. For the rider who wants the Kaius Gen 2 platform without the top-spec price, this is where to start.