Test: With the presentation of its new BH G7 Pro, the Spanish bike manufacturer BH has taken a somewhat unusual step today, because there is already a disc version of the G2017 in 7. Now for 2018, the new G7 Pro is a variant of the aero bike with rim brakes. This could already be seen at this year's Tour de France with Thomas Voeckler and his colleagues from Team Direct Energie. We tested the racer for you.
BH G7 Pro – The frame
At first glance, the frame of the BH G7 Pro looks the same as the disc version, however, small aerodynamic improvements have been made to the frame. As a result, the attack surface was minimized and the front of the bike was set a little lower in order to have less air resistance. The weight is also impressive at 840 grams in size M and is almost unbeatable, especially for an aero frame. Despite the rim brakes, the frame of the BH G7 Pro was designed in such a way that nothing stands in the way of the trend towards wider and more comfortable tires and therefore allows plenty of tire clearance of up to 28 mm. BH offers another special feature, since all frame sizes have been individually optimized in order to be able to guarantee the best aerodynamics in every size and the fork of the BH G7 Pro has also been optimized with the help of the wind tunnel. What is immediately noticeable at first glance is the slooping geometry of the frame.
BH G7 Pro features
Our test bike came with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 and high-quality components that make the BH G7 Pro a great overall package. Anyone who has already ridden a Di2 knows how easy and fast the gear changes are. The new Shimano Dura-Ace rim brakes were a real treat, unfortunately we haven't really compared them to the slightly cheaper 2018 Ultegra brakes, but compared to the older Dura-Ace models, it has to be said that the braking performance and handling are significantly better. Especially the dosage and the pressure point, which can be brought about quickly, are absolutely convincing.
The seat post on the G7 Pro offers another surprise, because with two fastening screws on the back, it almost looks like a completely integrated post and can therefore also improve the aerodynamics.
The in-house BH EVO 50 wheels fit well into the overall picture of the aero racer and run smoothly. The FSA KForce 386 crank looks very chic, but was only installed in the compact version on our test bike. Especially with an aero racer, you really want to step on it and let it roll properly, so a larger chainring might be more suitable for the fast passages. Uphill, however, you can tackle any incline without major problems thanks to the slightly simpler gradation. In the modular program there is also the possibility to adapt the crank. BH already uses a 52/36 crank for the high-quality standard models. The Prologo saddle offers good seating comfort, but should not fit everyone and should therefore be tested individually. A revised internal routing of mechanical or electronic cables is designed to facilitate maintenance and replacement while providing greater protection. There are small deductions for the handlebars, which are of high quality, but do not really suit an aero racing bike for our taste, as they are just a bit too wide and round. But you can also adapt that in the modular system. So only a subjective point of criticism, you should just make sure to choose the right one, then every driver will be happy.
BH G7 Pro - On the road
The sloped geometry of the BH G7 Pro is noticeable right from the first meters. The high head tube provides a certain plus in comfort, while the compact rear end has an appealing effect on handling and power transmission. The seat tube aims for a slightly lower center of gravity than usual and, together with the rather short chainstays, offers high acceleration. In connection with the light weight, this is particularly noticeable around curves or steep inclines. If you then come downhill or on a longer straight, you can really gain meters with the BH G7 Pro, because it almost rolls by itself once you get the momentum going. As already mentioned, we would have wished for one or the other tooth more on the chain ring in order to be at the forefront when chasing top speeds. In addition, the frame has great rigidity, which is not only fun when accelerating, but also gives a lot of security on descents and winding roads. The outstanding brakes complement the impression perfectly and you can tease everything out with them.
The BH G7 Pro will be available in 5 frame sizes and 3 configurations: with Shimano Ultegra for 3699,90 euros, Shimano Ultegra Di2 for 5499,90 euros and with Shimano Dura Ace Di2 for 8499,90 euros.
