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The race report on the Hörnli Hunt
Thomas clings convulsively to my shoulders. His concentrated breathing touches my left ear. Goose bumps run down my spine. The two of us squeeze onto a mini pedalo, which is barely longer than the soles of our shoes, and we zoom across the alpine meadow in slow motion towards the finish line. No, we haven't skipped the BIKE test and are having fun in the children's corner of the fairground instead. We're in the middle of the Hörnli Trailjagd race, a fun event in the Swiss holiday resort of Arosa. For our all-mountain bikes - the Bold Linkin 150 Pro and the Santa Cruz Hightower - which are dedicated to alpine terrain, this event seems tailor-made for them. In addition to the skill tests on the alpine meadow, Graubünden's fine range of trails awaits us first and foremost as hunting grounds for our all-mountain duel.
Candidate one is the brand new Santa Cruz Hightower 3which has virtually just left the assembly halls of the Californian luxury manufacturer. What's new? Apart from the boot in the down tube, you can hardly see any differences to the previous model at first glance. The changes are in the details: modernised geometry and optimised kinematics are intended to give the bike even more downhill power. Our test bike, the Hightower GX AXS RSV, comes with Sram's affordable electric drivetrain (GX AXS) and spare carbon wheels. However, with a price tag of € 9199, the Santa Cruz is unlikely to remain more than a dream for the majority of bikers. Its competitor, the Bold, offers a somewhat more budget-friendly package. Although the 7299 euro Bold Linkin 150 Pro It might tear a big hole in most people's savings books, but for less money you get a bike with the same functional spec as the Santa Cruz. Components from Shimano's XT range, suspension with a first-class Öhlins fork, a Fox shock and a carbon frame - sounds tempting! The Swiss innovation drivers also set the standard in terms of system integration: the shock is hidden in the down tube, protected from dirt and splash water. A storage compartment offers plenty of space for food and spare parts. All cables are neatly integrated from the handlebars through the stem directly into the frame. If you swap the rocker arm on the rear triangle, the rear suspension travel can even be shortened from 150 to the 135 millimetres typical of trail bikes. In short, when it comes to attention to detail, the Bold is second to none.
metres in altitude: The Bold Linkin 150 is ahead here
Back to the Hörnli trail huntFinally, after crossing the finish line of the Pedalo Challenge, we frantically collect our stamp and crumple the mission pass back into the rucksack. Test rider Thomas grabs the Bold Linkin 150 and races uphill to the next checkpoint. I follow with the Santa Cruz Hightower. Our third tester Sergej has to make do with my "photographer's bike" (out of competition) on this section. Motivated, I set my sights on the next hairpin bend before the trail disappears behind a rocky massif. "You still have 200 metres of climbing ahead of you to Prätschalp!" a member of the organising team calls out to us - enough time to test the climbing ability of the two all-mountain bikes.
It quickly becomes clear that both bikes share the same range of use, suspension travel class, wheel size and similar geometry. However, when we put them to the test on the trail, there are still clear differences. On the Bold, we tackle the climbs with a noticeably sportier riding position. This is due to the generous 478 mm reach and the slightly longer 50 mm stem. However, the sporty character only really solidifies when Thomas starts pedalling. Even with the suspension open, the rear end remains surprisingly smooth. If you also want to eliminate the last drive influences at the rear for maximum efficiency, you can do this with the Tracloc remote, even without taking your hands off the handlebars. However, the counterpart to Scott's Twinloc system only controls the shock on the Bold and has three modes: open, platform and lockout - a blessing for crisp intermediate climbs. The Bold also conceals the small deficit in overall weight. Because of the heavier aluminium wheels, the Linkin weighs 340 grams more than the 14.3 kilo Hightower.
In terms of power transmission, the Santa Cruz still can't hold a candle to the propulsion-orientated Bold Linkin. Even the engineers admit to having reduced the anti-squat values on the new Santa Cruz Hightower in favour of responsiveness. In other words, the rear suspension feels very lively when pedalling, but also generates noticeably more traction on bumps or loose terrain than the suspension of the Bold. There is no lever to engage the platform from the handlebars on the Hightower. The advantages and disadvantages of both suspension systems are therefore roughly balanced on the climbs. But as the uphill section flattens out and the Prätschalp comes into view ahead of us, the oxygen content in my thighs drops into the red zone. I have to let Thomas pull away on the Bold. A glance at the small MaxxGrip logo on the front tyre of the Santa Cruz explains my drop in performance. Downhill, Maxxis' stickiest rubber compound is beyond reproach, but the tough rolling behaviour uphill also takes up more energy. One point for the faster MaxxTerra tyres from the competition.
The Hörnli Hunt combines enduro racing with recreational fun
In the meantime, we were able to work our way to the fifth checkpoint. Our next destination: the Hörnli express railway. From Hörnli, the aim is to skim the trails towards Lenzerheide - that's what the mission plan says. At this point, however, we have already ticked off our goal of being in the overall standings. The many photo stops, bike changes and fine-tuning of the set-up were putting us further and further behind schedule. Will we still make it to the finish within the allotted time?
The Hörnli hunt
"A trail weekend of superlatives" - this is what the organisers Karen Eller and Holger Meyer promise the participants of the Hörnli Trailjagd. The event has been combining enduro racing with recreational fun since 2017. The race is organised in teams of two or three. Before the start, everyone receives a map of the bike region between Lenzerheide and Arosa. Checkpoints are marked on the map, at which all participants must collect stamps within the specified time. Skill tests, such as a more intense pot knocking, pedalling or a small relay race, provide variety and laughs in equal measure. On the transfer routes in between, the aim is to enjoy Graubünden's best single trails with gondola support. Each team is responsible for the route back to the finish in Arosa. The first team to find all the checkpoints and fulfil the additional tasks wins the hunt. The day pass for all Arosa mountain railways is included in the starter pack. Price: 85 euros per person.
Test Bold Linkin 150 Pro against Santa Cruz Hightower
With the clock on our necks and at maximum speed, we beat the two rivals through the rugged rocky landscape above the Lenzerheide bike park. And once again, what we have already shown in previous tests is confirmed: All-mountain bikes are increasingly becoming mini enduro bikes. Uphill, the bikes climb nimbly. However, their core competences only reveal themselves on demanding descents. No matter what the trail throws at you, both the Santa Cruz Hightower and the Bold Linkin 150 Pro master every key section without any problems. In a direct comparison, however, the Bold can handle a touch more speed thanks to its slightly longer wheelbase and sportier riding position. Otherwise, both parties have almost standardised the geometry. The head angles measure around 64.5 degrees, the bottom bracket height is almost identical and the chainstays are only two millimetres apart. This puts both bikes on the smooth side. The moderately long chainstays still allow for snappy direction changes or even manuals on flowing trails. When playing around off-road, the Santa Cruz benefits from its light wheels, making it a little easier to handle. If you want to sacrifice some smoothness in favour of more nimble handling, both bikes offer the option of minimally adjusting the geometry via a flip chip.
During the showdown on the final descent from the Rothorn back to Arosa, there is also a consensus on the suspension: the VPP rear suspension on the Santa Cruz Hightower receives the most praise. The response behaviour is impressive on any surface. The shock absorbs even the fastest hits greedily. The bike responds to loose bends in the gravel with an extra portion of traction. The rear suspension parries jumps or big bumps with the perfect amount of progression. The 140 millimetres at the rear of the Hightower are in no way inferior to the slightly more linear rear suspension of the Bold with 150 millimetres of travel. At the front, on the other hand, the more sensitive Fox 36 prevails over the Öhlins fork.
When our team of three stops to tick off the last checkpoint, the GPS device shows 300 metres of depth to the finish. We only have about ten minutes left. "It's going to be a close call!" shouts Thomas, grabs the Santa Cruz and chases down the trail in front of me. Sergej sprints after me on the Bold. This time I have to make do with the photographer's bike. Completely out of breath, we choke up the last tarmac ramp towards the finish bend. I clutch the handlebars tightly, I can literally feel Thomas' breath on the back of my neck. And once again my hair stands on end as we roll over the finish line at the last second.
Conclusion on the Bold vs. Santa Cruz test duel:
"Santa Cruz and Bold are on an equal footing off-road. The Linkin takes the uphill classification. But the Hightower is just ahead on the downhill. If you're lucky enough to be able to afford one of these bikes, the Bold Linkin 150 Pro is the more worthwhile offer. If money is no object, the Santa Cruz Hightower offers the same riding fun, cult status included."
Technical data and notes Bold Linkin 150 Pro
General information
- Price: 7299 Euro
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: S / M /L / XL (tested in L / 42 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 14.62 kg
- Frame weight: 2662 g
- Front / rear suspension travel: 150 / 148 mm
- Weight of wheels: 5375 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 4362 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 780 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 37 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Syncros Revelstoke 1.5
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF; 3C MaxxTerra Exo Protection TR 29 x 2.50
- Fork: Öhlins RXF36 m.2 Air TTX
- Shock: Fox Nude 5T
- Brakes: Shimano XT BR-M 8120 / 203 / 180 mm
- Gear system: Shimano XT 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-51 / 510 %
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: Syncros Duncan Dropper 1.5 / 200 mm / 34.9 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 21.25 from 25
- Chassis efficiency 19 of 20
- Rolling resistance: 7.5 out of 10
- Weight: 3 of 15
- Inertia impellers: 4 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 7 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 33.25 from 35
- Front suspension: 18 out of 20
- Rear suspension: 22.5 out of 25
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes: 12.75 out of 15
- Tyre grip: 12 out of 15
- Driving stability: 3 out of 10
- TOTAL UPHILL: 61.75 OUT OF 90
- TOTAL DOWNHILL: 111.5 OF 130
- Other: 25.5 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: weak
Bike test rating*: very good - 198.8 out of 250
Technical data and notes Santa Cruz Hightower
General information
- Price: 9199 Euro
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: S / M /L / XL / XXL (tested in L / 43 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 14.29 kg
- Frame weight: 2844 g
- Front / rear suspension travel: 150 / 140 mm
- Weight of wheels: 4831 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 3878 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 800 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 47 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Reserve 30
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHR II; 3C MaxxGrip Exo Protection TR / 3C Maxxterra / 29 x 2.40
- Fork: Fox 36 Float Performance Elite FitGrip2
- Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe Select+
- Brakes: Sram Code / 180/180 mm
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle AXS 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-50 / 500 %
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: Rockshox Reverb Stealth / 175 mm / 31.6 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 22.5 from 25
- Chassis efficiency: 16 out of 20
- Rolling resistance: 7 out of 10
- Weight: 4.5 out of 15
- Inertia impellers: 5 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 5 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 33.25 from 35
- Front suspension: 19 out of 20
- Rear suspension: 23.75 out of 25
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes: 10.5 out of 15
- Tyre grip: 12.75 out of 15
- Driving stability: 4 out of 10
- TOTAL UPHILL: 60 OUT OF 90
- TOTAL DOWNHILL: 113.3 FROM 130
- Other: 24.25 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: good
Bike test rating*: very good - 197.6 out of 250
* The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders.
The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.). The weighting of the points in the individual assessment criteria varies depending on the bike category.
Max Fuchs
Editor
