Exchange on BH’s Prototype Cross-Nation Race Bike, Beneath Cowl on the XC World Cup
Two months up to now we obtained a sneak peek at a prototype next-gen BH cross-country race mountain bike. We suspect it is perhaps the successor to their long-running Lynx family. Particulars are nonetheless very restricted since BH is doing an excellent job conserving the prototype wrapped up every on the racetrack and throughout the pits. Nevertheless we obtained in for a greater look to try to sus out some further particulars…
BH XC race mountain bike prototype might change the Lynx
As a result of it stands now, Spanish bikemaker BH has two cross-country fashions throughout the lineup. There’s the Ultimate Evo hardtail and the 100mm journey Lynx Race Evo completely. An eagle-eyed anonymous reader despatched us spy photos of the prototype from a race throughout the north of Spain once more in March.
Now that the UCI MTB World Cup is in our yard, we dropped in to attempt to get a better look ourselves. I had hoped by now will probably be uncovered, nevertheless sadly, it’s nonetheless wrapped in neoprene.
Lots of the BH Coloma workers are nonetheless racing the current Lynx Race. That means the last word launch of this new prototype is perhaps nonetheless pretty far off. Nonetheless it does give us a chance to see the bikes subsequent to 1 one other.
So what can we see?
Equivalent to we observed throughout the spy photos sooner than, the headtube really seems to be like an identical to the Lynx Race, with the an identical full inside cable routing by the upper headset bearing. And the first pivot of the swingarm seems to be like choose it’s in exactly the an identical place as sooner than, too.
What’s somewhat bit curious proper right here on the driveside, is that there’s an all-new – and pretty vital – tapering of the seatstay above the Break up-Pivot concentric pivot on the rear axle. Often after we see a taper like this, it’s meant to allow the seatstay to flex as an alternative of getting a further pivot.
Nevertheless since there’s clearly already a pivot on the axle, the one precise objective you would want a flex maintain could possibly be if the shock was mounted to the seatstays as an alternative of getting one different pivot hidden inside that secret wrap, correct?
What we’re in a position to see.
Proper right here we get a close-up view of the first pivot, the swingarm, and the PressFit bottom bracket. It’s all pretty very similar to the current Lynx Race.
Nevertheless it’s worth noting that this BH prototype XC bike has a flatter, boxier type to the swingarm. And there’s a further dramatic bend to drop the stays. That’s extra more likely to improve tire clearance to fulfill the model new 29 x2.4″ customary whereas conserving a quick chainstay measurement.
The tall & slender boxy type continues once more to the Break up-Pivot, these enormous triangular brake submit mounts, and a UDH customary. Whereas many bikes have prioritized SRAM and wi-fi shifting, this one nonetheless has clear mechanical shift cable routing.
What we’re in a position to’t pretty see…
This BH prototype continues to be hiding its XC secrets and techniques and methods contained within the neoprene wrap. Nevertheless a greater look reveals some fascinating shaping!
Merely in entrance of the seattube, the toptube flares out pretty a bit to the sides. That seems a lot similar to the shaping of the doorway shock mount on the current Lynx Race, which can counsel a reverse shock orientation?
There’s moreover a clear inward curve of the seatstays in from of the seattube. My guess is that this is usually a one-piece seatstay assembly, merely with the bridge now in entrance of the seattube the place it meets the shock. And maybe a tiny rocker hyperlink in there too?
Completely different BH prototype XC bike assemble particulars
An in depth look BH Coloma’s Jofre Cullel Estape cockpit does clear up somewhat little bit of the compatibility of the model new bike. Sure all of the issues is routed internally. Nonetheless it’s moreover key to see merely many cables are going into the physique. There’s 2 mechanical cable from the left hand – a distant lockout for the hidden rear shock, plus the cable for the mechanical BikeYoke Divine SL dropper submit. Then on the suitable hand 2 further – the mechanical shift wire for the XTR rear derailleur, and the hydraulic hose for the rear brake.
Further XC World Cup race testing
That’s all we discover out about this prototype of BH’s next-gen carbon XC race bike. The question stays whether or not or not there’s an ordinary shock and linkage hidden inside that little neoprene sock. And if it’ll ship 100mm, or roughly journey?
Nevertheless seeing merely behind the BH rider, how tiny the linkage and Öhlins XC shock (hmm… with digital controls!) on the BMC Fourstroke is, BH might probably match all of it in there with a cleanly built-in design.
