Product news: BH E-MTBs 2017: Yamaha, Bosch, Brose - Great variety off the asphalt

Market: The Basque bicycle manufacturer BH Bikes is continuously expanding its range of e-MTBs - in 2017 there are not only more than two dozen different models, but also an almost unrivaled variety of drives, configurations and price ranges. We looked at the entire portfolio of BH E-MTBs.

There are currently only a few bicycle manufacturers on the market who offer such a wide range of different bikes in the field of e-MTBs and e-bikes in general as the traditional Spanish manufacturer BH. With the E-MTBs alone, there is a choice between four or five different drives, between classic Pedelec and fast S-Pedelec, between 160mm E-Enduro and comfortable 100mm hardtail, between inexpensive entry-level equipment for less than €2.000 and high-end sports equipment for €4.800 €.

Each drive gets its own product range at BH - the focus is primarily on Yamaha, Brose and the in-house BH Evo hub motor. The BH Rebel series powered by Yamaha is off to a great start in the 2017 season, after the new models were recently presented at the Eurobike, some of which are also equipped with the high-performance new PW-X motor.

At the heart of the Atom product range, the drive from the German manufacturer Brose provides the necessary power. Like the Rebel e-bikes, you can choose between different fullies and hardtails, and the Atom bikes score particularly well with their great system integration with a slim motor and battery in the down tube. The fact that the in-house Evo hub motor is also retained and that the corresponding product range is technically overhauled and even expanded can certainly be understood as a commitment on the part of the Basque manufacturer. In addition to a more powerful battery, the Evo models also get a new display and the handling of the motor itself has been improved.

BH Rebel E-MTBs: Sporty trail bikes with Yamaha power

The BH Rebel mountain bikes are the spearhead of the Basque E-MTB fleet in 2017. They are powered by Yamaha engines, which have taken a huge step forward with their latest development, the PW-X, and by no means need to hide from the top dogs Bosch, Brose and Shimano. The two top models BH Rebel Lynx 5.5 27,5 Plus and BH Rebel 27,5 Plus come with the latest Yamaha scion, which, in addition to an internal two-speed gearbox, also comes with a new, trail-ready display and is all in all around half a kilogram lighter than its predecessor . In addition, with the new extra power mode, even extremely steep ramps can now be conquered without any problems.

All three fullies in the Rebel series are based on the tried-and-tested Lynx platform, which thanks to the DW-Link rear end enjoys the same advantages as its non-motorised counterparts and the driver can look forward to a neutral response behavior combined with a high level of absorption. We were able to experience for ourselves how well this works on our Lynx test bike last season.

Anyone who has decided on a BH E-MTB with a Yamaha drive still has the choice between a total of three wheel sizes, between fully and hardtail and of course different equipment variants. As the name already suggests, the two newcomers Rebel Lynx 5.5 Plus and Rebel 27,5 Plus are based on the 27,5+ standard, which is very popular with e-MTBs. The extra-wide tires not only offer noticeably more comfort and cushioning, but also improve grip on almost all surfaces - the slightly higher rolling resistance is equalized in the case of an E-MTB by the motor power anyway.

If you prefer to go 'classic', you can also opt for one of the equipment variants with 27,5″ or 29″ and choose between a total of three equipment variants. While the Pro variants with high-performance Fox suspension and XT gears leave nothing to be desired - we only miss a dropper post - the 'Lite' entry-level models score points with their attractive price. For a little more than €2.000 you get a consistently trail-ready E-MTB with a powerful drive.

All Rebel models have their sporty orientation in common: They are deliberately aimed at buyers who want to let it rip off the beaten track. The geometry with a flat steering angle, short chainstays for E-MTBs and 120 or 140mm suspension travel invites you to play.

BH Atom E-MTBs: Inconspicuous looks and great variety

New name, familiar drive. Even if there were no e-MTBs with the Atom name in BH's portfolio before, the e-MTBs with Brose drives are, so to speak, old acquaintances. As early as 2016, the Spanish manufacturer presented the first models with mid-mounted motors from the German drive specialist - but originally these were called Revo. From this year onwards, the Brose e-bikes will be called Atom - but otherwise the tried-and-tested concept has not been changed. The extremely slim motor is still integrated into the overall design in an unobtrusive way and the battery is hidden in a voluminous down tube. However, thanks to a new tube set and a well thought-out use of materials, the frame weight has been reduced by more than half a kilogram on average.

The BH Atom portfolio for 2017 includes two fullies, five hardtails and one fatbike and offers plenty of choice, just like the Yamaha counterpart Rebel. With the Atom Lynx 6, you now have an extremely powerful e-enduro with 160mm travel in your range, which should also cut a fine figure on the rough tracks in the bike park - you can save yourself the lift given the 600Wh battery. The Atom Lynx 4.8 Fully is much more tame and with its balanced geometry and 120mm spring travel is a comfortable all-rounder that should cut a fine figure on trails and tours alike.

With the hardtails, you can choose between 27,5″ and 29″, each with three configurations – the Atom 650 Plus Pro, the top version with the smaller 27,5b wheels, also uses 2,8″ wide tires from Schwalbe and thus offers a bit more Grip on mud, dirt and debris. The E-Fatbike Big Bud Pro is a little out of line, but with its Bluto suspension fork from Rock Shox and the powerful tires it promises a lot of fun in almost any terrain.

BH Evo E-MTBs: Technical updates for the in-house hub motor

Also known from previous years is BH's Evo series with the in-house drive in the rear wheel hub. These models should be of particular interest to price-conscious buyers who are looking for a cheap entry into the world of e-MTBs and value an inconspicuous look. Thanks to the compact motor in the middle of the rear wheel and the battery integrated into the down tube, the BH Evo E-MTBs look like ordinary mountain bikes without a motor at first (and second...) glance. However, the impression is deceptive - the small powerhouse has peak performance of up to 650W.

Despite the extensive range of mid-motors, BH is also continuously developing its own drive: For 2017, it not only has a thru-axle, but the newly placed connection with plug-in connection makes it easier to install and remove the rear wheel in the event of a breakdown or for maintenance work enormously. In addition, a new aluminum battery cover made it possible to gain space inside. In the case of the Pro models, this is filled with additional energy cells, which increase the total capacity of the energy storage to 600Wh and thus make a range of over 100km possible.

There has also been a technical change at the other end of the Evo bikes: while the standard and lite models have been equipped with new functions and a fresh design of the user interface, the top models have a completely new display that is positioned in the middle and can also be easily removed if desired is.

BH Xenion E-MTBs: Powerful Bosch bikes

If you missed the name Bosch in the previous selection - don't worry, fans of the southern German e-bike pioneer will also get their money's worth at BH, even if the selection is a bit smaller. A fully and a hardtail with a Bosch drive are available from the Basque manufacturer in 2017, both go by the name of Xenion. In both, the proven Performance CX drive provides the necessary power and 500Wh batteries guarantee sufficient running time even on longer tours.

However, the alignment of the two Bosch E-MTBs is quite different. While the fully with 27,5″ wheels, 120mm suspension travel front and rear and a slack steering angle is a trail bike in the modern sense, the 29″ hardtail with 20mm less suspension travel and relaxed geometry is aimed more at touring bikers who occasionally need a ride root or a bumpy descent.

BH Nitro E-MTBs: For those who like it faster

As one of the currently very few manufacturers, BH S-Pedelec fans will also find what they are looking for in mountain bikes. There are three models in the 2017 range, all based on the Evo hub motor, which supports the Nitro models up to speeds of 45km/h. With the Nitro Jumper 27,5 Plus Pro, there is even a 45 km/h fast E-Fully this season and thus a real exotic on the market. With the Fox chassis and Plus tires, the bullet is also prepared for a trip on the trail - although the attachments required by law, such as rear-view mirrors, lighting and number plates, seem a bit out of place.

There are also two hardtails with 27,5″ and 29″ tires and similarly high-quality equipment. Especially in view of the 600Wh battery installed in all equipment variants, the off-road S-Pedelecs from BH are also extremely attractively priced at €3.499 for the hardtails and €4.499 for the fully.

BH AWD E-MTBs: All-wheel drive on mountain bikes

Last but not least, BH has a real unique selling point in its range with the two AWD E-MTBs: the AWD system (All-Wheel-Drive) is used on the two hardtails - a four-wheel drive for e-bikes, so to speak. The BH Evo hub motor at the rear is also accompanied by a 250 watt motor in the front wheel hub. In the case of the Big Bud Pro AWD e-fat bike in particular, it should be possible to explore terrain that you would not have thought possible with a mountain bike before.

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