Bold Unplugged: "A song of praise for the mountain bike
Compared to the "Linkin Trail LT", Bold goes more than just one step further with the "Unplugged". With its 161 to 165 millimetres of travel, it is aimed at the enduro segment. But it is not just the frame that is more massive and has more suspension travel. Everything here revolves around the geometry, which is adjustable - multiple times and independently.
The bottom bracket height alone can be adjusted by 20 millimetres in four stages, depending on the chainstay length. This can also be adjusted in four positions, from 432 to 443 millimetres. This allows the frame to be adapted to all common wheel sizes from 27.5 inches to 29-Plus, i.e. 2.6 inches wide. These changes also result in a difference in suspension travel. However, these adjustment options can also be used for personal preferences.
The steering angle can be adjusted independently of the chainstay length and bottom bracket height. However, adjustments to the latter still have an influence on the steering angle. This is all possible thanks to the flip chip on the rear triangle. A special, off-center headset from Newmen is used to change the steering angle, which has nothing in common with the previous angle sets.
Integration of your choice
Another decisive change is inside the frame: whereas the choice of shock absorber was previously limited, the choice of shock absorber should be virtually free. Bold's "damper housing" now accommodates metric air dampers of various brands and with reservoirs. Another new feature is the cover for the shock absorber chamber. This is no longer fastened with several screws, but can be easily attached and removed thanks to strong magnets. However, the protection is still secured, albeit with an easy-to-grip knurled screw.
Another highlight of the Unplugged is the integrated "Genesys" variable seatpost from Kind Shock. It not only refines the look, but also provides more stiffness thanks to the large tube cross-section extending below the saddle. In terms of weight, the Genesys should have a slight advantage over conventional systems.
On the inner wall of the tube, the support has milled grooves - notches - which allow the height of the support to be adjusted using a clamping mechanism. This mechanism is located at the front of the tube below the saddle, which is mounted on a small dome. Above a certain adjustment range, however, this adjustment is at the expense of the stroke, in which case the seatpost is shortened in the same way as a steerer tube. Replacement tubes of the original length are easy to fit, should this be required again later.
If the saddle height needs to be adjusted a lot and very easily, such as when operating a test fleet, previous systems have an advantage. Even those who want maximum lift are better off with conventional supports. The adjustment range of the Genesys goes up to 150 millimeters. With a conventional KS Lev Integra, for example, a stroke of up to 175 millimetres is possible. Both systems can be used in the Unplugged, depending on preference.
Interview with Vinzenz Droux, Brand Manager Bold Cycles
You hit the bull's eye with your debut Linkin Trail. Now you're obviously bringing another highlight with Unplugged. How do you manage to come up with something special again, where others come up with standard mash? Big brands and their structures run the risk of being sluggish. Often, under the pressure of the market and the self-imposed constraints of the model year policy, they head for the "next safe haven". This makes it difficult to be innovative and is a possible reason for the number of me-too products. I have observed that all too often, unconventional ideas unfortunately do not make it to realization, both on the product side and on the sales side. Starting on a blank sheet of paper is a clear advantage here. It is of central importance to analyze customer feedback and take it seriously. It is then our job to translate this into a coherent product and to go one step further here and there. Of course, our own experience as bikers as well as designers and developers is also key. I don't see any disadvantages in a small structure compared to large brands. We use the same software and an identical infrastructure. Everyone here only cooks with water. Of course, you always need creative minds and the necessary distance to question certain ideas. However, the crucial question remains how successfully you can turn great ideas into reality.
The Unplugged is characterized, among other things, by its unique geometry adjustment. How did you come up with this and how exactly does it work? Wheel variety is a fact. Individual geometry preferences, such as the choice of bottom bracket height, are also becoming increasingly important for riders. We want to provide answers to this. It was important to us that the front and rear characteristics and the geometry of the bike can be individually adjusted. At the front, we solve this with a headset that is mounted in eccentrically drilled cups, which generates an effective steering angle that deviates one degree from the actual steering angle. The shells can be installed offset by 180 degrees. This allows us to theoretically adjust the steering angle by two degrees, the effective difference on a stationary bike is then 1.53 degrees. In combination with the adjustment options at the rear, we achieve setups with steering angles of 65.9 - 63.3 degrees when using a 170 millimeter suspension fork. If we install a 180 mm fork, this range shifts to 65.5 - 62.9 degrees. If you want to install a fork with 160 millimeters of travel, which also fits very well thanks to the geo-fitting, you can choose a steering angle in the range of 66.4 - 63.7 degrees. But as I said, if we don't adjust anything at the rear and just turn the headset, we make the head angle exactly 1.53 degrees slacker or steeper. I think this is a sensible value that is easily noticeable in the riding characteristics.At the rear, we use flip chips in the Horst link bearing area, which can be installed in two positions, i.e. cover two geometry options. We combine two effects that complement each other perfectly: The smaller the wheel, the higher the bottom bracket and the shorter the chainstay. As the wheel size increases and the flip chip is set up accordingly, the chainstay lengthens and the bottom bracket becomes lower, or more precisely, the bottom bracket drop becomes higher. A perfect combination. The chainstay length is shortened by eleven millimetres, while the bottom bracket height, i.e. the BB drop, can be adjusted by 20 millimetres. With two chip variants, a total of four geometry options are covered, i.e. all common wheel sizes and tire diameters from 27.5x2.4 to 29x2.6 inches. The bottom bracket always remains at the same height from the ground. Of course, "extreme positions" can also be generated as required.
Not everyone was happy with the "single shock solution". With the new bike, other bumpers fit for the first time, especially those with an expansion tank. Where are the limits? For example, will X2 shocks, Cane Creeks DB and Inline as well as steel spring shocks also fit? We were and are very satisfied with the DT Swiss shock fitted to the Linkin Trail and the good test reports confirm our impression. In fact, the choice of suspension brand is a very individual issue and there are of course differences in the characteristics and performance of the types and brands. We have responded to this feedback. Basically, all inline shocks or shocks with piggy-back on the air chamber side are now compatible with the Unplugged. However, there are exceptions such as the X2 or steel spring shocks. The suspension is designed for the characteristics of air spring dampers. The linearity of a steel spring damper would therefore not bring any effective advantages here.
Fitting all common wheel sizes is something that very few manufacturers offer. But hand on heart, wouldn't it have been technically more efficient to specialize in one size?
We are convinced that the wheel issue must become independent of the frame platform, i.e. the choice of frame does not depend on the wheel issue, but rather the other way round, the options open up freedom. The question here is not "whether" you can install several wheel sizes, but "how". The key point here is that you shouldn't make any compromises and build bikes that take the issue seriously. A step that we are consistently taking with the Unplugged. The field of wheel and tire diameters is spread out before us. As a customer, I want to have the choice and also the certainty of being able to adapt my wheel to the terrain or my personal preference at any time. For us, this ranges from 27.5 x2.4 to 27.5x2.8 and 29x2.3 to 29.2.6 inches. The latter in particular seems very promising to me. Personally, my absolute favorite.
And what does a project like this mean for you? Apart from the working time, such a development is also very cost-intensive.
Indeed it is. And we don't make any compromises. We use the latest technologies in the frame production of the Unplugged. For example, a single latex bladder encases the support geometry of the core instead of individual air tubes to generate the internal pressure when baking the frames. It is the most complex but also the most precise technology for controlling the internal geometry. What I'm trying to say is that we don't skimp on the product. We try to keep the ball as flat as possible with a lean structure, our personal commitment and carefully used advertising materials.
How is it that a large company like Kind Shock chose a small company like Bold to present its integrated seatpost?
Personal sympathy and respect for each other's work is probably the basis here. Cooperation grows through mutual trust, not least over a good glass of red wine with Martin and his team. Bold is seen as a driver of innovation and as such is an attractive partner, even for large brands.
The name Unplugged sounds more like music: what's the actual idea behind this model name?
That's right - unplug and plug in! A statement for purely muscle-powered bikes. Unfortunately, many development teams are currently treating the topic of "mountain bikes musculaires" very neglectfully and budgets are flowing into the development of electric bikes. With the Unplugged, we are showing that there is still plenty of room for innovation, style and performance in classic mountain bikes. The name is therefore a sign of the times, a song of praise to the mountain bike, to our roots.
The most important thing at the end: When will the Unplugged be available and how much will it cost?
The Unplugged will be available for testing for the first time at the opening of the new Bold District Store in Biel from July 20-22. Bold is moving its headquarters, including assembly and development, from Lengnau to Biel - ideally located near the Biel Ost highway exit. So if you fancy a test ride on the Unplugged, you should definitely keep this weekend free. The bike will be available in individual builds or as a frameset shortly afterwards. In terms of cost, the bike will be slightly more expensive than the Linkin Trail.
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.