Until now, manufacturers have primarily sought their E-MTB clientele among leisurely touring bikers or the downhill-hungry gravity group. Both target groups expect more and, above all, longer-lasting riding fun from the motor assistance.
Accordingly, the majority of modern e-mountainbikes have plenty of suspension travel and comfort. Weight hardly plays a role, as the motor takes care of tiring uphill stretches. This leaves more time and energy for the downhill or to enjoy the panorama.
Performance-orientated racers, on the other hand, are more at war with E-MTBs. Because if you want to make progress during training, you have to pedal yourself. Moreover, it is not the manner of a true athlete to be pushed towards the summit by a motor.
However, the developers at BH obviously have a different opinion. With the new iLynx Race models, the Spaniards want to pick up racers from the racetrack and slowly make motor assistance more palatable.
A choice of 100 or 120 millimetres of suspension travel, 29-inch wheels and a full carbon frame offer everything a racer's heart desires. The engineers throttle the in-house minimal-assist motor with 540 watt hours to just 60 Newton metres. This is not much, but should prevent former organic bikers from being overwhelmed by the overwhelming power of normal motors. The focus is on the natural riding experience. And for sporty bikers in particular, this also includes a high level of propulsion.
Speaking of a natural riding experience: the weight of the iLynx naturally also plays a key role. At 16.8 kilos (manufacturer's specification), the top model cannot keep up with the non-motorised competition, but it is record-breakingly light by E-MTB standards.
The facts about the BH iLynx
- 2ESMAG motor with 65 Nm
- 540 watt hours with option for range extender (180 Wh)
- 29-inch wheels
- 100 or 120 millimetre spring travel
- Full carbon frame
- four models from 5999 euros to 8999 euros
- Weight: 16.8 kilos (top model iLynx Race Carbon 6.8 XPro, manufacturer's specification)
BH iLynx: The drive
The drive assistance is provided by the 2ESMAG motor specially developed by BH. However, anyone expecting the iLynx to deliver the over-power typical of e-bikes will be disappointed. With a maximum torque of 65 Newton metres, the BH drive unit is significantly weaker than classic e-bike motors.
However, the engineers have deliberately chosen this path. In an age of ever more powerful and heavier bikes with an unnatural amount of motor power, BH wants the iLynx to appeal to customers who would otherwise be looking for a physical challenge on an organic bike.
With its discreet support and low weight, the iLynx should come very close to the riding experience of a classic full-suspension racing bike. "This means that even sporty, ambitious bikers who are not afraid of effort can benefit from the motor support thanks to increased riding enjoyment and a larger action radius," says Sales Manager Dominik Ruiz Morales. On tour or during a training session, the rider can choose between four support levels: Eco, Eco+, Sport and Boost.
The permanently integrated 540 watt-hour battery provides the energy. Depending on the riding style and altitude profile, the developers promise a range of up to 130 kilometres. If that's not enough, you can increase the range with the matching additional battery with 180 watt hours. The good thing about it: the second battery is easily transported in the bottle cage.
The iLynx trimmed for racing
For a bike to be of interest to race riders, it has to be light above all else. In order to break the 17-kilo mark with the top model, BH has subjected the iLynx Race Carbon to a rigorous diet. The biggest weight loss is due to the motor. The BH unit weighs just 2.2 kilos.
By comparison, the Bosch Performance CX weighs in at a whopping 3 kilos. The short 100 millimetre suspension travel also contributes significantly to the weight loss. The cheaper and heavier models, on the other hand, roll on 120 millimetre suspension.
The geometry of the iLynx
The geometry is sporty. Ambitious bikers coming from normal race bikes should feel right at home on the BH iLynx. The steering angle of the 120 mm models measures 67.7 degrees. Accordingly, the steering angle of the 100 millimetre version is slightly steeper at 68.5 degrees.
The reach is 451 millimetres in size L (120 millimetre models) and 458 millimetres in the 100 millimetre version. At 453 millimetres, the chainstays are long enough to climb steep ramps without having to actively fight against the rising front wheel. But they are also short enough so that the bike's playfulness is not completely sacrificed for smoothness.
Models and equipment
BH offers the iLynx in four equipment variants. Of these, three models with the LT abbreviation rely on a suspension with 120 millimetres of travel. Only the super-light top model manages with 100 millimetres. The iLynx Carbon 8.0 LT starts at 5999 euros. The entry-level model shifts on an XT/Deore groupset from Shimano and paves the trail with performance suspension from Fox.
Behind it is the 6999 euro Carbon 8.2 LT. A flawless XT groupset is already used here. The suspension, however, remains the same. The top end of the price range of the 120 models is marked by the 8.4 LT XPRp with Fox Factory suspension, a complete XTR groupset and BH Evo carbon wheels. Price: 7999 euros.
The € 8999 BH iLynx 8.4 XPRO with 100 millimetres of travel also comes with Fox suspension from the Factory series. The carbon wheels are also retained. In terms of gearing, however, the top model goes one better with the electronic Sram Eagle AXS.
Max Fuchs
Editor
