The Swiss have just relaunched their bestseller. As usual with Bold, the shock remains hidden in the frame. However, it has slid down even further and is now positioned above the bottom bracket like an electric motor. The Bold engineers also gave the bike a VPP rear triangle, tweaked the geo and added the Tracloc system from Scott. This allows the shock to be calmed in stages at the touch of a button. The equipment is appropriate for the horrendous price.
"Everyone thinks I'm riding an e-bike, but I have to pedal myself," joked tester Max about the look of the Bold with its thick bottom bracket. Not everyone liked that, but after the first test runs there was unanimous agreement: the rear suspension is great! The Bold proved to be a hoover and sucked up everything. Even in the nastiest trail sections, it was unimpressed. It glowed down the trail at high speed. Initially, the Öhlins fork couldn't quite keep up with the rear, but eventually harmonised when we increased the compression damping.
The geometry takes some getting used to. Due to the stubby stem and handlebars with a strong backsweep, the bike didn't look like you would expect from a 485 reach. On tame trail sections, the Bold generates pleasant counter-pressure - the short rear triangle makes manuals child's play. Good on long tours: the riding position and the Tracloc remote lever. It can be used to immobilise the rear triangle. However, at 15.6 kilos, the Bold comes in second last place. Annoying: The Sag-O-meter broke immediately, and the compression adjuster on the shock is difficult to reach and barely clicks audibly.
Dimitri Lehner, Editor-in-Chief FREERIDE:
The Bold was the fastest way down the mountain. The suspension is firm, which gives you confidence. My test colleagues found the special cockpit with the swept-back handlebars took some getting used to, but I liked it. The handling of the Bold is playful enough to have fun even on tame terrain.
Technical data and notes Bold Unplugged Ultimate
Manufacturer information
- Price: 10999 Euro
- Available from specialised dealers
- Carbon frame material
- Frame size: S, M,L (tested in L, 43 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 15.22 kg
- Frame weight without shock: 3353 g
- Weight of wheels: 5254 g
- Handlebar width: 780 mm
Equipment
- Fork: Öhlins RXF38 m.2 TTX 18
- Shock: Fox Float X Nude
- Front/rear suspension travel: 164/163 mm
- Crank: Sram X01 Eagle
- Gear system: Sram X01 Eagle AXS 1 x 12
- Ratio / bandwidth: 2; 10-2 / 520 %
- Brake system / Disc (front / rear): Shimano XTR BR-M 9120 / 203 mm /180 mm
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: Syncros Dropper Post / 200 mm / 34.9 mm
- Wheels: Syncros Revelstoke 1.5
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF; 3C MaxxTerra Exo Protection TR 2.50 / Maxxis Minion DHF; 3C MaxxTerra Exo+ Protection TR 29 x 2.50
Ease of maintenance: weak
PLUS: Chassis (!), range of use; Tracloc concept; storage compartment
MINUSSag-O-meter defective; Accessibility damper adjustment; Price
FREERIDE test rating: 9.5 out of 10
¹BIKE measured values
²with pedals (350 g)
³without shock absorber, possibly with rear thru axle
⁴with tyres, cassette and brake discs.
The measurements were taken on a test stand at the Zedler-Institut.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
