"Linkin Trail" is the name of Bold Cycles' previously well-kept secret, which will soon be unleashed on the public. The trail bike with 130 millimeters of suspension travel will be officially presented at the Bike Days in Solothurn on May 8, 2015, where it will be available for test rides - and sales will also start on this date.

Where is the shock?

The makers of Bold Cycles - the team of Vincenz Droux and Oliver Kreuter - are presenting a world first in frame design and suspension construction right from the start: with the system-integrated suspension solution "Internal Suspension Technology", or "IST" for short, the shock absorber is positioned inside the frame and controlled via a rocker system. The bike has 130 millimetres of suspension travel at the rear.

The shock is in the frame! Why?

With "Internal Suspension Technology", the frame as a load-bearing structure also acts as a protective outer skin against the effects of weather, stone chips and dirt. The relocation of the suspension system to the inside of the frame offers practical advantages in addition to the tidy appearance for the aesthetic eye.

These suspension kinematics allow new pivot point arrangements, which, according to Bold Cycles, result in a torsion-resistant, drive- and brake-neutral suspension. As the shock is not connected to the top tube, every frame size can be customized. Even on small models, it is possible to attach a large water bottle, while at the same time maintaining a low top tube and thus comfortable freedom of movement.

The safe riding experience is further enhanced by the mountain bike's low center of gravity with a compact and stiff rocker arm in the rear triangle. DT Swiss, as technology partner of the "IST" system, has produced a shock tailored to the needs of "Bold" - the "DT Swiss X313 customized".

Details on the rear suspension function are still missing

To date, no details are known on how to adjust the sag or rebound on the shock, for example. The only indication at the moment is a cover on the down tube that can be seen in the pictures, which is likely to secure access to the shock. It is also not yet clear how the compression and rebound movement of the rear triangle is transferred to the shock.

Wheel options

With the "Oneplus" solution, the young company is one of the first bike brands in the world to present a frame solution that can be equipped with 29-inch as well as the latest 27.5plus-inch wheelsets - depending on the area of use, surface and riding style. Further details on how this wheel adaptability will be realized are not yet available. Presumably, an adjustable axle mount on the rear triangle will be used to accommodate the wheels in different dimensions.

Modern frame construction, popular standards

The carbon frame uses the so-called EPS construction method. With this frame construction technology, the inner shape of the carbon frame is completely controlled by a polystyrene support body. This support geometry is removed after the frame has been baked. As a result, the tube cross-sections are precisely adapted to the desired requirements.

The Boost 148 standard is used on the rear triangle. The standard developed by Trek and pushed by Sram promises more stiffness in the rear wheel, as flatter spoke angles can be realized.

The inaugural "Linkin Trail" model of the premium "Linkin" line will be available in four specification options from summer 2015. It will be equipped with 29-inch wheels as standard. The 650b option specifies the Plus tire size, with wide 2.8-inch WTB rollers on the rims.

Customers can choose from a total of four specifications/equipment variants, three frame sizes and three stem lengths. Color accents in red, light grey and turquoise green can be selected for the clear-coated carbon frame.

Where to buy?

The products are sold via the webshop boldycles.com and assembled in Lengnau, Switzerland. Customers receive the mountain bike packed in a wooden crate and delivered directly to their home within three weeks.

The young bike brand's sales strategy also includes specialist retailers: delivery can also be made via a specialist retailer on request. Test options are also available from specialist retail partners, which will be divided into the "Basecamp gold" and "Basecamp platinum" levels. An up-to-date list of all partner stores has been announced for May 8.

The complete bike will be shipped directly to the end customer in a fine wooden crate or delivered in partnership with the specialist retail partner in question. When delivered via the specialist retail partner, the bike is handed over in a fully assembled condition and with the suspension set-up adjusted according to the customer's wishes. An additional inspection and testing service on the bike within six months is included in the delivery via the specialist retail partner.

Who is behind it?

Bold Cycles Ltd. is a Swiss company based in Lengnau near Biel and was founded in 2014 by Vincenz Droux (pictured above right) and Robert Droux. The former is already well-known in the bicycle industry as the owner of Flow AG. He has developed a large number of products and brand appearances for internationally and nationally renowned bicycle manufacturers, for example as Head of Design at BMC. Together with Oliver Kreuter (pictured above left), a former co-founder and managing director of a corporate design agency, the fortunes of Bold Cycles are being steered: the engineering, graphic design and brand development come from four hands.

boldcycles.com