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<\/a>Together with Angelo Lecchi, also Senior Product Manager, we pushed internally to explore alternatives. We asked the R&D team to develop a more affordable solution that could bring integrated cable routing to a wider range of bikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An initial idea emerged: creating a more economical version of the ICS2 stem. Unfortunately, even this approach remained too expensive to reach the desired product segments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So during the long weekend of May 1st, 2022, I started working on the problem myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u00ab\u00a0Core\u00a0\u00bb Idea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The concept was straightforward: use the existing BMC RSM01 stem, whose cost structure was ideal, and combine it with the ICS2 ecosystem so that existing top cones and spacers could still be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What was missing was the interface between the two systems: the ICS spacers and the stem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This interface quickly became known as ICS Eco<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first version guided the cables under the stem while using the same upper volumes as the ICS2 system. To close the back of the stem, a cover was added behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To ensure proper fixation on the fork steerer, the design reused the ICS2 stem’s wedges that press against the sides of the flat steerer tube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The V1 concept worked, but it was visually quite large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n About a week later, a second version appeared. The goal was to reduce the size of the rear section by finishing the RSM01 stem with a smaller appendix. This improved the proportions and reduced the visual mass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third version followed immediately. It aimed to simplify the design by removing the appendix entirely. While technically simpler, the result was visually less appealing and still lacked the ICS wedges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was clear that the concept needed further refinement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At this stage, I began a close and very enjoyable collaboration with Etienne Goy, the engineer responsible for the project. Together we refined the concept and worked through the technical constraints to find the right balance between cost, integration, and aesthetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In December 2022, the fourth version finally gave the project its definitive direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This iteration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result was a clean, efficient, and cost-optimized interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Version 1 \u2013 Making It Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Version 2 \u2013 Reducing the Volume<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Version 3 \u2013 Simplifying<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Collaboration and Refinement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Version 4 \u2013 The Final Concept<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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