The Speedfox test bike is reserved for me in size M, the version with 130 millimeter travel and 27.5-inch wheels. With a height of 178 centimetres, I fall into the medium category, but I usually ride a large frame due to my short legs and long torso. I leave it at M and familiarize myself with the nimble Fuchs on the course. Playful, comfortable and laterally stiff - these are my first thoughts about the new bike. This impression is confirmed on the first few meters of the long descent. Who has ever watched a fox play - at least on YouTube? That's right, these cute furry animals are incredibly agile, and that's exactly what the Speedfox feels like. Super agile, it masters quick changes of direction followed by bunny hops over stones and, of course, switchbacks. A real pleasure!

Despite its agility, it doesn't seem nervous at all when going downhill faster and rougher. Only at high speeds, which are no longer advisable on unsecured routes - hiking trails - does the brain give the brake finger the command to go into action. The suspension is impressive across the board. The Float DPS damper responds finely and then works its way through the bumps with ease until the last third of the stroke, where the progression kicks in and offers full support in the last quarter.

Let's turn the game around - it's uphill

The Speedfox rides light and crisp. Short, steep climbs are easy to pop up, as you would normally do on a cross-country bike. The stiff frame responds to powerful pedaling with plenty of propulsion and the rear suspension hardly bobs at all - oh wait, it's already tightened by the platform when the seatpost is extended. But even lowered and open, the Fox shock only bobs minimally. This is hardly noticeable and even less so off-road. Technical passages uphill are almost a pleasure with the Speedfox. A world-famous street trial biker would probably be delighted with this bike if he wasn't already under contract with another brand. Even at the edge of the grip limit, the bike still climbs superbly. The front wheel then has to be pressed down a little, also in view of the tight frame size.

Short ride on 29 inches

Although it was a very short ride, the switch to the 29er version revealed the following riding characteristics: It has almost the same playfulness with slightly better smoothness. The big-wheeled brother is also slightly stronger uphill, as well as in terms of traction. In trial passages, however, the 27.5 vixen is much more fun.

And the Trailsync technology?

I first have to get used to the promised simplicity that the system is supposed to offer. But it doesn't take very long and the multitasking lever - finally men can do it too - operates the seatpost and shock flawlessly. It's really nice not having to constantly switch between two remotes.

Only with reservations about the stroke, the 100 millimeters of the post on this bike were sufficient. However, the stroke subdivision takes some getting used to. When extending to the middle position, you have to hold against it a little until the mechanism locks - but this happens faster than it reads. Otherwise, there is nothing to complain about with this system. The support works very finely and the effort required to operate the remote is also pleasantly low. Whether the system is prone to defects or not could not be determined during this day.

Conclusion

The new Speedfox is a very cool design - goodbye wallflower existence! It's probably one of the most playful and versatile bikes I've ever ridden. There are hardly any compromises to be made - neither uphill nor downhill. With the Trailsync technology, BMC has built an almost perfect and simple system for the rider. The somewhat habit-forming stroke subdivision of the seatpost prevents the "perfect" rating.