BH is offering its World Cup race-proven 29er hardtail geometry, at a more attainable price.
The Spanish bike brand has added a simpler version of its Ultimate Evo hardtail range, which loses the ‘Evo’ grading, without sacrificing its overall shape.
BH’s new Ultimate RC 29er hardtail uses the same overall design and geometry as the Evo, but weights a touch more – and costs a bit less.
The desire for BH was to offer a wider range of customers access to its Ultimate Evo geometry and riding characteristics. To achieve this, engineers investigated the possibility of a new carbon layup, which has added 210g of frame weight.
Although the new BH Ultimate goes beyond that psychological 1,000g frame weight threshold (at 1,050g), it offers a compelling package for dedicated XCO and XC amateur racers.
The seat and leg-power angles are balanced between a 68-degree head angle and 74-degree seat angle, which provide a good compromise between climbing and descending capabilities. Reach on a size large BH Ultimate stretches to 448mm, whilst compact 420mm chainstays create the opportunity for very agile handling around tighter singletrack corners.
General frame details are similar to that of the lighter (and dearer) Evo version, with a rear triangle spaced to run 148mm width Boost hubs. The bottom bracket is a press-fit 92 standard and rear brakes can be flat mounted – saving a few grams of weight on caliper spacers.
To ensure some terrain absorbing ride compliance, BH shapes its Ultimate hardtail range with a narrow 27.2mm seat tube, which also features stealth dropper post capability. Preventing frame damage from a wildly rotating fork crown in the event of a crash, BH slots in an Acros BlockLock headset which allows for only 150-degrees of rotation.
BH is marketing is new Ultimate RC 29er hardtail in four variants. The most affordable €1,700 version is suspended by a RockShox Judy RL fork and transfers your power via Shimano’s 12-speed Deore specification drivetrain.
Premium models run an XT-drivetrain and feature Fox’s 32 SC Performance RL fork, with a remote lockout function, priced at €2,900.
BH also offers a custom colour option, for an additional €300. This allows riders to select from a palette of 32 different hues, which include matching fork and frame decal finishes.
