The Bold Unplugged is bursting with innovation; after the prologue, the Biel-based bike manufacturer led by spiritus rector Vincenz Droux has designed an enduro bike that is capable of setting new standards with the Linkin Trail all-mountain bike. However, the initial key data are not all that exciting: 29er wheels, 170 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and 165 millimetres at the rear. It's the looks that are really exciting: the new Bold shines with unprecedented lines, the bike makes a homogeneous and at the same time modern impression. The shock integration not only fulfills functional aspects, but also plays a key role in making the bike look ultra-clean and independent.

Perfectionism in many places

With Bold's first big success, the Linkin Trail, there was criticism regarding the limited choice of shocks. Here, the Swiss manufacturer has made perfectionist improvements. The "Internal Suspension Technology" on the Unplugged now accommodates metric air shocks of various brands and with reservoirs. A clever innovation can also be found in the cover of the shock. This is easily accessible via the down tube, the cover is no longer fastened with several screws, but can be easily attached and removed thanks to powerful magnets.

The geometry of the Unplugged leaves plenty of room for personal preferences: The bottom bracket height 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 the 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; the adjustable suspension travel range on the rear triangle is 161 to 165 millimetres. Suspension forks with 160 to 180 millimetres of fork travel are possible.

System integration with Kind Shock

Another highlight of the Unplugged is the integrated "Genesys" variable seatpost from Kind Shock. It not only refines the look of the Bieler Boliden, but also brings more stiffness to the bike. In terms of weight, the Genesys should have a slight advantage over conventional systems. On the inner tube wall, the dropper post has milled recesses - i.e. notches - through which the height of the post can 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 in 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 on a test fleet, previous systems have an advantage. Even those who want maximum travel are probably 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. In the Unplugged, both systems can be used depending on preference," Balz Weber from Ride has already reported on the dropper post on the Unplugged.

Offline and online configuration

The two available color variants can be described as very tasteful: The Unplugged comes in the color combos black/white and red/black. Anyone considering buying an Unplugged can choose from several variants. This can be done at the recently opened headquarters in Biel: There, the Bold crew has translated a configurator into the real world and uses numerous components to show how the individual dream bike can be assembled. Of course, an online configurator is also available to play around with the various equipment options. The unplugged fun starts at CHF 5,436, when the frame is equipped with the R 535 ODL shock, the Sram GX Eagle groupset provides twelve gears, Sram's Guide RS stoppers take care of the deceleration and Rock Shox's Yari is in charge of the front suspension. In this basic version, you still have to do without the integrated dropper post; a conventional LEV Integra is then installed in the seat tube. The wheels are DT Swiss Spline M1900 and the cockpit is fitted with high-quality Race Face parts.

Test of the Unplugged, by Sacha Steiner

"At the Bike Festival in Riva, I got my first impression of the new frame platform of the Unplugged. I mainly do the climb on a forest road - and the good propulsion of the bike is immediately noticeable. Despite the soft suspension set-up with plenty of sag, the bike hardly bobs at all on the climbs. The rear suspension is so climbing-friendly and efficient that I only used the lockout briefly. This is only necessary when pedaling. The rear suspension delivers an impressive performance.

The bike climbs nimbly over steep and rough sections and provides plenty of traction. The Unplugged really gets going on the subsequent descent down a rough trail typical of Lake Garda. It sits firmly on the trail and shines with unimagined suspension potential. The 164 millimetres of travel at the rear feel like a lot more. Added to this is the slack steering angle, which not only creates a smooth ride, but also the feeling of riding a mini downhiller.

Luckily, the brakes are powerful, because I'm always a tad faster than usual on this bike. The long geometry makes for a very smooth ride, but requires a little more physical effort to maneuver the bike in tight corners. The festival descent was too short for a comprehensive ride report, but my curiosity about the bike has been aroused. We are looking forward to the test bike, which will hopefully arrive in the editorial office over the course of the summer."