But if you take a cursory glance at the new Bold Unplugged, you'll probably assume it's the Linkin. Hardly anyone noticed that Austrian enduro pro Peter Mihalkovits had already chased the bike over the rough tracks at the last races of the 2022 Enduro World Series. But the differences are clear. Apart from the fact that the design language is the same, the main frame and rear triangle are significantly more massive, especially the bottom bracket area, where the shock is also hidden. The additional volume is mainly due to the use of a shock with a reservoir. In contrast to the Linkin, the upper rocker arms are prominently positioned on the outside. The bike is also lower than its predecessor.

Like the first generation of the Unplugged, the second generation of this model is also aimed at enduro use and therefore has 160 millimetres of suspension under the rump and 170 millimetres under the hands. But now this: where the old Unplugged was more extreme in terms of geometry, its successor is tamer again. This doesn't mean that it can't go fast, but it should be more playful again - in short, much more versatile.

Consequent integration

"Integration has always been a core feature of our bikes. With the new Unplugged, we have consistently pursued this credo. By transferring the force to the inside of the frame at the bottom bracket shell, the shock is positioned horizontally, low down in the down tube. This ensures an extremely low center of gravity, short and stiff rocker arms and plenty of space for long-travel seat posts. In addition to the IST-VP suspension technology (Internal Suspension Technology & Virtual Pivot), which is designed for progressive enduro riding, the bike features other innovative solutions. The "Save the Day Kit" in the down tube, the optimized SAG and bottom-out indicator as well as geometry adjustment options at the front and rear are further innovative features. The playful yet smooth handling coupled with a chassis with lots of pop and plenty of counterpressure in the mid-travel range ensure the best riding performance and round off the package for the ambitious enduro rider," says Vincenz Droux, Head of Engineering & Design at Bold Cycles about his latest creation.

Rene Krattinger, Product Manager Bold Cycles, agrees and adds: "Passionate mountain bikers with a penchant for cutting-edge technology and high design standards will find the Unplugged an enduro bike of the very highest quality. Thanks to the compact Internal Suspension Technology System, fully integrated cables and a lightweight and torsion-resistant frame, the Unplugged offers the perfect balance of function and aesthetics."

A progressive geometry in combination with the innovative Internal Suspension Technology, IST for short, should provide the perfect mix of balance and control. The shock is mounted in the lowest possible position horizontally in the frame triangle, more precisely above the bottom bracket down into the down tube. Central and low mounting points for the shock, rocker link, pivot and bottle cage result in a very low center of gravity and should therefore enable excellent handling.

The Unplugged in detail

Frame rigidity, a low center of gravity and optimum shock performance are the main advantages of Internal Suspension Technology. The position of the shock absorber has a significant influence on the suspension performance: completely integrated into the frame, the shock absorber is always protected from dirt, water and drops and therefore always functions optimally. As a result, riders benefit from better handling, longer damper maintenance intervals and a more stable ride.

With the internally positioned shock absorber, Bold has developed a very compact deflection system with low weight and high rigidity. The linkage is attached directly to the damper and mounted on an axle in the frame so that the suspension pivots no longer have to be designed around the frame. This makes the link shorter than other traditional suspension platforms. The use of a Virtual Pivot Linkage design improves both damping, pedaling and braking performance, allowing for maximum efficiency. The kinematically optimized suspension curve ensures supple sensitivity on small bumps and thus excellent traction characteristics, as well as perfect support in the middle and controlled deep suspension travel for bottoming out protection.

The integration concept includes a clever storage solution for tools inside the frame, which is easily accessible by opening the down tube cover. The Save The Day Kit contains a spare tube, a mini pump, tire levers and offers space for a chain lock and other small items to "save your day" in the event of a defect. In order to be trail-ready again quickly, the Syncros "Matchbox SL-CT Multi-Tool" is integrated into the frame to be prepared for the majority of potential emergencies.

Access to the rear shock is possible via a cover in the down tube. This makes it easy to adjust the rebound, compression, damper pressure and access to the cable of the TracLoc suspension system. The correct negative suspension travel is set very simply via a magnet-equipped travel indicator on the outside.

Thanks to the option of tuning the bottom bracket height and steering angle, both the geometry and the handling are optimized to individual requirements. With the flip chip on the Bold VarioTec, the bottom bracket height can be varied by five millimetres - the Unplugged comes with the option of customization ex works. The steering angle can effectively be set one degree slacker or steeper. This is done by rotating the headset shells by 180 degrees.

Since the shock is integrated horizontally in the down tube, the Unplugged offers the option of installing a variety of dropper seatposts - even 200 millimeter seatposts can be used effortlessly in sizes M, L and XL. The Unplugged also comes with the integrated Hixon iC handlebar stem concept from Syncros, which also allows cables to be integrated at the front of the bike. Extensive testing has enabled Syncros to perfectly scan the desired position for width, rise and sweep, so that the position is perfectly matched to what is needed for riding at the highest level.

The Unplugged product range 2023

The new Unplugged comes in two different versions and two frame kits: Unplugged Ultimate changes hands for 10,999 euros, the Unplugged Pro is available for 8,999 euros and the Unplugged frame kits in black or gray cost 5,999 euros. The Unplugged will be available in early 2023. Prices may vary depending on currency and market.

boldcycles.com