BH Launches New Range of More Affordable Carbon XC Hardtails
BH's new Ultimate RC hardtail uses the same geometry and look of its more expensive sibling, the Ultimate Evo, but by uses a different carbon layup that allows BH reduce significantly reduce the price. Whereas the more expensive Evo models have a claimed frame weight of just 840g the RC is still able to come in at a still-reasonable weight of 1050g for a size medium.
While the frames' carbon layup may differ from BH's more expensive offering, the World Cup-tested geometry stays the same. The Ultimate RC features a 68° head angle when using a 100mm fork and it gets short 420mm chainstays.
In terms of spec details, the bike is once again similar to the more expensive Evo with 148mm Boost spacing, flat mount rear brake mount, PressFit 92 BB and 1x only compatibility. There is also the ability to run a stealth dropper post, although the choices are limited as the frame accepts 27.2mm seatposts.
RC 7.7
RC 7.5
RC 7
RC 6.5
Currently BH is offering the Ultimate RC in four different build options. The cheapest comes in at €1700 and uses a 100mm Rockshox Judy RL fork and Shimano's 12spd Deore drivetrain. The top of the line model comes in at €2900 and for this you get a full 12spd XT drivetrain and a 100mm Fox 32 SC Performance RL fork. With the top of the range bike you can also take advantage of BH's custom paint program. This costs an extra €300 but it allows you to choose from 32 colours, match fork decal colours and put your name on the toptube.
You can find out more here.
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Nice looking bikes.
It’s not really that the derailleur is poor quality. Clearly it’s easy enough to bend any derailleur inwards by dropping the bike or hitting a trail obstacle. (Thus allowing it to shift the chain into the spokes.)
A novice rider might not realize they have damaged their derailleur in such a way, (often by mishandling their bike during storage or transport) and might unwittingly power shift into their lowest cog, and jam the chain into the spokes. As you become a more experienced rider, it’s an easy situation to avoid, but clearly it is enough of a problem that most new bikes come with some form or spoke-protector since the 1970s.
How many people really feel the minimal difference in weight and compliance, and prioritize them over having a dropper post that doesnt feel like crap after only months of use. Probably only the most perceptive or elite - which is a very small group. Additionally, this bike is marketed at the group I think would be least able to notice the *benefits* of a 27.2.
My experience is that the 27.2 droppers are horrible. All of them. The nice ones feel nice when they are new, but all of them quickly turn into sloppy binding messes - much faster and much worse than every other larger diameter.
What do you think?
In my town, most of them are. I set up two of them yesterday where people ordered a dropper for their xc bikes. And we have nothing but sandy sidewalks. Our trail sanctioning body requires trails to average a 10% grade, and only a select few have anything close to 30% for the tiniest of sections.
It is rare, even here, to see a new xc bike retain its rigid post for longer than a few months. And the older xc bikes are joining the dropper party like it's the AARP.
I'm interested in comparing the pros and cons for the majority of users, especially since this bike is the most affordable option in the BH line.
Trends. Fashion. Bro Status.
I agree.
Maybe someday, after covid, we will be able to align people in our community (including R2R) to see the benefits of a truly diverse network of trails. One that satisfies all of the 10 year goals for R2R, and actually reduces multiple user conflict - unlike their current sandy sidewalks and $15k bridges over an inch of water plan. I think Boise can become a world class trail destination, with something for all users, definitive distinction between beginner and expert trails, and managing the environmental impact as well or better than the current model in place. R2R needs to learn from what other growing communities have done to adapt and overcome the challenges created by rapid growth and demand, and create diversity to satisfy everyone so we can coexist without conflict, and enrich the trail experience for everyone. If our mtb community doesnt learn how to engage R2R, and learn the factors which influence their biases and perspectives, we will never be able to create a new model which includes the benefits of their outdated system and the benefits of destination mtb communities around the world. I think building trust and being able to present a new model which would include the essential benefits of both sides will be the key to the future of our trails. New and innovative thinking needs to be applied at their meetings. Unfortunately, our tribe of cyclists (yes I said that) is often too consumed by our own biases and assumptions to be able to lobby R2R in an amicable fashion. We all need to come together, and discuss new possibilities rather than cling to our opposing ideas. I cant wait for covid to be over...I was planning to take steps in that direction at their meetings which have all been canceled so far this year. If you are interested in being a part of such an idea, please reach out to me. I would love to discuss your perspective sometime.
So yea, you could probably undercut it by a few hundred bucks, but that'd let you upgrade the fork and wheelset to something mid-tier. Maybe even carbon wheels on Novatec hubs.
I'd rather go with a $550-600 alloy wheelset with name brand hubs.
I would LOVE if you could buy bikes without tires, seat posts, saddles, bars, stems, grips, etc. Just give me a quality frame, suspension, wheels, and maybe brakes/groupset.
Steel keeps it real... and safe.