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Bold Linkin Trail LT: slacker, more travel, updates

05.05.2016
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Bold Cycles have already done enough to prove that they’re a refreshing addition to the scene, and fortunately they haven’t got complacent about their success. Right now they’re launching the Long Travel, their option for super gnarly trails. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Bold Linkin Trail LT!

The Bold Cycles Long Travel – at first sight it isn’t too dissimilar to the former Linkin Trail but it has more than just extra travel stacked in it!
The Bold Cycles Long Travel – at first sight it isn’t too dissimilar to the former Linkin Trail but it has more than just extra travel stacked in it!

Most important things first: thanks to the new linkage at the rear, the Long Travel has a full 154 mm of travel to release – no mean feat for a 29er! There’s a brand new R414 rear shock at play, developed in close cooperation with DT Swiss. According to Bold Cycles, it’s not just significantly more potent, it’s also capable of dealing efficiently with the increased travel. Now, in our eyes the former X313 worked a treat, so we’re definitely excited to see whether this new rear end design can really bring out the magic. Teamed with 160 mm travel forks, a 1.5° slacker head angle and 29″ wheels, we should expect to meet a fearless bike. Bold Cycles have also given TLC to other parts of the bike, not just the namesake Long Travel. There’s a dropper post now with internal cabling, and the interesting additional of a new enticing DT quick-release with removable lever.

The 29er sports a new linkage to give away 154 mm of rear travel.
The 29er sports a new linkage to give away 154 mm of rear travel.
To rival the rear they’ve wisely chosen 160 mm of travel for the front, provided by a RockShox Lyrik. Moreover the head angle has been slackened by 1.5° to 67°.
To rival the rear they’ve wisely chosen 160 mm of travel for the front, provided by a RockShox Lyrik. Moreover the head angle has been slackened by 1.5° to 67°.
There’s a brand new DT Swiss R414 rear shock hidden under this cover, which Bold state will perform efficiently with the extra travel.
There’s a brand new DT Swiss R414 rear shock hidden under this cover, which Bold state will perform efficiently with the extra travel.
The seat post clamp with integrated cable routing can be discarded – Bold are now working with internal controls.
The seat post clamp with integrated cable routing can be discarded – Bold are now working with internal controls.

The Bold Cycles Long Travel will be available this autumn in at least four different build specs, with the entry level model sporting RockShox Yari and a SRAM GX groupset and the top-of-the-range model coming complete with SRAM XX1 or Shimano XTR Di2 spec and a RockShox Lyrik fork. Given the new rear shock, the starting price will fall slightly higher than the former Linkin Trail. The LT comes in three colourways, which are exclusive to this model (grey, orange and black), although the stylishly minimal detailing stays the same.

Thanks to the Boost standard, the Long Travel can either be ridden with 29
Thanks to the Boost standard, the Long Travel can either be ridden with 29″ or 27.5″ and plus-size tyres.
Available in three colours as of autumn, there’s also a small configurator where you can choose the setup of your Bold Cycles Long Travel to suit you.
Available in three colours as of autumn, there’s also a small configurator where you can choose the setup of your Bold Cycles Long Travel to suit you.

As soon as the first test models are out, we’ll be stoked to hammer the Bold Cycles Long Travel down some trails and share our findings. There’s still a little while to wait though, so in the meantime why not check out our article on the Linkin Trail Race Day?

Words: Andreas Maschke Photos: Noah Haxel

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