The Spanish developer of BH Bikes have been integrating the batteries on their e-mountainbikes into the frame since 2008 - making them one of the pioneers of integration. The battery of the Atom Lynx 4.8 is also hidden in the down tube. It drives a Brose motor. As the Spaniards install their own battery, they achieve a capacity of a generous 600 Wh. On the 2017 model, the energy source is housed in an aluminium cover. This new outer skin enables the higher capacity. Heat management and resistance have also been improved. Another advantage: the Brose drive can be retrofitted with a Bluetooth adapter. Various parameters can then be changed using the BH app and the support can be switched on continuously. Support based on the heart rate is also possible.
The Brose motor received new software at the end of 2016. This emphasises its strengths even more clearly: the unit starts up very smoothly and without jerking, and the support remains constant over a wide cadence range. In addition, the E-MTB motor now provides noticeably more powerful support. Despite all this, it remains the closest thing to "real" mountain biking, not least because of its low noise level. Brose motors normally only have three modes, but BH Bikes uses its own Emotion control unit to offer four different support levels.
The Atom Lynx 4.8 is the sporty tourer: with 27.5-inch wheels and 120 millimetres of travel, it should shine in combination with the large 600 battery, especially on long tours. The equipment with Fox suspension elements (34 Float Rhythm/Float DPS Performance) and Shimano XT/SLX single-speed drivetrain for 4299 euros is fairly priced. If you want more downhill performance, you can also opt for the trail kit for 369 euros: This includes solid tyres (Michelin Wild Grip'R) and a Kindshock Vario seatpost.
When you start pedalling, the bike moves forward almost silently. After all, that's what the Brose motor is known for. The riding position on the Atom is somewhat sportier than on the bigger brother Rebel out. This is partly due to the 35 millimetre lower stack, but also to the 464 millimetre long reach (size L). The somewhat narrow handlebars also point in the direction of touring. Thanks to the relatively compact design of the Brose drive unit, the BH development team managed to achieve a respectable 466 millimetre short chainstays.
As the trail heads downhill, the split pivot rear suspension with its 120 millimetres of travel comes into play. This is fully utilised, a more progressive characteristic curve would give the rider more security in extreme passages. Tip: Install volume spacers in the Fox shock. In return, the rear suspension has no braking influence and does not harden when braking. When the going gets tough, the cables rattle. However, this is said to be a problem with the pre-series. The Atom Lynx is a lot of fun on flowing trails with its lively and direct handling. It invites you to play on off-road edges.
Test summary of the BH Atom Lynx
With the Atom Lynx, the Spaniards have a versatile e-MTB for extended bike tours on offer, which pleases with a fair price-performance ratio and long range. Touring riders in particular will enjoy the sporty, direct handling on flowing trails.
