First Ride: Enduro or Trail? Want to compete in an Enduro World Series or ride epic tours with endless descents? The BH Lynx 5 has everything it takes to tackle any terrain where the descents are paramount. Now BH Bikes is launching a carbon version of their Lynx 5. Stiffness, lightness and construction quality allow the BH Lynx 5 Carbon to set standards in several areas.
With their BH Lynx 5, BH Bikes are launching a new carbon version that is said to be significantly stiffer and lighter than the aluminum frame of the Lynx 5. At the Media Days in Serfaus, we were able to give the BH Lynx Carbon a first ride and we were already there very excited to see what the new trail bike can do.
Geometrie
The geometry is identical to that of the aluminum variant. The rear end comes with Split Pivot technology. This should allow pedal strokes, brakes and suspension to act separately. The rear end should function constantly and progressively. The steering angle is 66°. The reach is longer and the rear triangle shorter than on the predecessor – as is currently the case with many mountain bikes. This is intended to achieve a certain level of smoothness and yet liveliness.
Facilities
The BH Lynx 5 Carbon will be available in two versions. Once in an LT (Long Travel) 150mm at the front and 130mm at the rear and a variant with 130/130mm. We rode the Long Travel Bike with 150mm at the front. A Fox 36 Factory was installed and a Fox dpx 2 on the rear triangle. Sram groupsets are installed on all models. All three models are slowed down with Shimano brakes. Handlebars, stem, grips and wheels are products from our own production. Tires come from Michelin. The only thing left is the seat post - it comes from BikeYoke.
On the trail
Testing took place in the Serfaus Fiss Ladis bike park. Here we chose a trail that was very natural. That means: fresh forest soil and plenty of roots to be able to test the BH Lynx Carbon sufficiently. But first you had to pedal up to get started. No problem for the Fox dpx 2. In pedal mode, the damper almost feels like a lockout. The rear triangle hardly moved at all when pedaling up. I was positively surprised. To get used to the bike, I first rode an easier route to see how the Lynx 5 Carbon behaves in corners.
The frame and rear triangle feel very stiff in corners. Then it went into the root carpet. The rear end harmonises nicely with the damper and the Fox 36 Factory suspension fork. On the downhill stretch I had to set the shock to the trail position to avoid bottoming out. But that was because I rode too much sag. Due to the longer reach and the shorter chain stays, the trail bike looks very playful and invites you to play.
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