First Look: Bold Linkin Trail

Bold Cycles isn't a household name, but it looks like they're coming into the mountain bike arena with the intention of turning heads. Their new Linkin Trail bike houses a DT Swiss shock inside the carbon frame, which Bold claim has never been done before. We have a more in-depth look planned for the near future, but for now take a look at the press release from the new Swiss company.

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Bold – the new Swiss bicycle brand presents its Internal Suspension Technology, as a world first.

Swiss newcomer Bold Cycles Ltd. presents its bicycle brand Bold and its Internal Suspension Technology as a world first: The rear shock has been entirely integrated into the seat tube. The public launch of the first Linkin Trail model will be held at Solothurn’s Bike Days bicycle festival from May 8th to 10th 2015. As per the same date the web shop will be open for online orders at www.boldcycles.com.


With the Bold brand the team around Vincenz Droux and Oliver Kreuter present a world premier regarding frame design and suspension kinematics for mountain bikes: With its system integrated Internal Suspension Technology kinematics, abbreviated as IST, the rear shock has been entirely built into the frame, driven by a set of links. As one of the first companies worldwide the start-up is also early with another concept, as the frame has been built to fit both 29-inch wheels and the new 27.5plus size – depending on the intended use, expected trail characteristics and individual preferences. All these new developments will be presented in form of the initial offering Linkin Trail that combines state-of-the-art EPS frame building technology with the Boost 148 standard in the back and the stiffer wheels that result from this. With Bold Cycling Ltd. the Swiss bicycle industry spawns a promising newcomer.


Invisible shock damper thanks to «Internal Suspension Technology»


IST: the initial offering «Linkin Trail» packs the rear shock into the frame’s seat tube.

As the name promises our kinematics that offer a full 130mm (5 inches) of travel in the rear does not simply position the rear shock in the frame’s main triangle but rather builds it neatly into the seat tube. Not visible from the outside, the shock is driven by a patent-pending set of links. Thanks to the «IST» technology the frame does not just serve as a structural element but also as a tough skin to protect the shock from weather, loose rocks and dirt. Apart from the clean looks and aesthetics, integrating the entire suspension into the frame has some additional advantages. With the frame’s kinematics new links positioning is possible adding both to the stiffness and to a suspension platform that is fully active under drivetrain and braking forces. As the rear shock is not connected to the frame’s top tube either, every frame size can be designed to meet the exact needs. This means that even a small frame fits a full-size water bottle while offering a low-slung top tube and heaps of standover clearance. The low centre of gravity resulting from the compact, stiff linkages of the rear suspension further add to the solid handling characteristics. Convinced by the IST kinematics and the related concept, DT Swiss has stepped in as technology partner and has built a shock that has been taylor-made for the needs of Bold with the DT Swiss X313 customized.


First offering Linkin Trail

As per Summer 2015 the Linkin Trail as first model of the Linkin premium line will be available in four different specifications. The bike comes with 29-inch wheels as a standard. Customers get to choose from four different specifications and build options, three frame sizes and three stem lengths. As for the clear-coated carbon frames, sticker sets in the colours red, light grey and turquoise are offered. The products will be sold via the web shop under www.boldcycles.com and are being assembled in Lengnau, Switzerland. Packed in a premium
wooden box, customers get their mountain bike delivered to their doorstep within three weeks’ time. If they wish so, delivery to a selected specialist retailer is an option too. A free first service within six months after the purchase is included in the retail price.


The Linkin Trail will be presented to the public and available for test rides for the first time at the Swiss bicycle festival Bike Days which is held in Solothurn from May 8th to 10th 2015. At the same time the web shop under www.boldcycles.com will go online.



About Bold Cycles Ltd

Bold Cycles Ltd is a Swiss company based in Lengnau, close to Biel, and has been founded in 2014 by Vincenz Droux and Robert Droux. Vincenz Droux is well known within the bicycle industry as the owner of Flow AG. He has been involved in the development of products and brand images for a number of international and national bicycle manufacturers. As former co-founder and manager of a corporate design agency Oliver Kreuter is the best possible addition: Engineering, graphic design and brand development are taken care off by only two persons – a promising team. The company develops and sells mountain bikes under the Bold brand. On a long term the company intends to expand into the road bike segment.

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