BH Bikes has gone to town with a new 13 strong range of Brose SMag-powered eMTBs, all under the AtomX name. Headlining the range is the 160mm travel split-pivot full suspension eMTB, the 2022 BH AtomX Lynx Carbon Pro, though 140mm options and hardtails are available in Carbon and Alloy too. Here’s what we know about the cream of the crop for 2022.
2022 BH AtomX Lynx Carbon Pro eMTB
BH Bikes has undertaken a complete overhaul of the AtomX Lynx Carbon Pro. A reorganization of the split-pivot platform and a reorientation of the Brose SMag motor has given rise to a vastly improved look (IMO). It still looks like a BH Bike with the downtube joining the top tube well short of the headtube, though the tubes are now more regular in shape with cleaner lines pretty much everywhere. Importantly, the new layout allows a bottle cage to sit on top of the downtube, rather than the underside of the top tube.
Despite its polarizing aesthetic, the geometry of the BH AtomX bike is fairly standard by modern terms. Slackened off for 2022, this eMTB gets a 65° head angle is paired with a more upright 76° seat tube angle. Standover height is lowered considerably across the SM-XL size range permitted by the new, more forward position of the Brose SMag motor. This was an important consideration in allowing BH Bikes to offer this 29er eMTB in both 140mm and 160mm travel options.
Though reach figures have grown substantially for 2022, some may still consider them on the more conservative end of the spectrum, with the longest reach measuring up at 485mm on the XL frame. Chainstays have gone shorter, dropping to 454mm, consistent across the size range, with the BB at a height of 346mm (complete geometry chart at the foot of this section).
A top priority with the redesign of the AtomX was to improve stiffness everywhere. The frame is created using BH Bikes’ proprietary Ballistic Carbon Layup Technology with high modulus fibres giving rise to greater ground impact resistance. Stiffness has been improved at the headtube and at the main pivot, the latter thanks to the introduction of an oversized pivot axle and self-aligning bearings, said to have improved torsional stiffness by 20% in this area.
Beyond the suspension and geometry details, there are a number of smaller frame details worth mentioning. First up the 2020 BH AtomX Lynx gets a whole bunch of trail side repair tools hidden away inside the steerer tube. The FIT system is home to 2.5/3/4/5/6mm hex keys, a T25, a chain tool, CO2 adaptor, CO2 cartridge, and quick-release chain tool. That’s an impressive amount of kit to fit inside a very small space.
The bike’s 720Wh downtube-integrated battery is actually accessed from the top tube; now, the unusual frame layout starts to make more sense. A hatch on top opens up to allow the battery to slide right out, so it can be charged and stored away from the bike. The irregular frame layout that permits this design feature necessitates use of a steering radius limiter to prevent the fork crown bashing off the downtube. The Across BlockLock system takes on that role, permitting a limited turning radius of 150º.
Pricing & Availability
The 2022 BH AtomX Lynx Carbon Pro 9.9 shown throughout this article retails at £8,699.90. That money gets you a full carbon frame, FOX Float DHX2 Factory coil shock, FOX 36 Factory fork, Shimano XT 12 speed drivetrain, 4-piston XT brakes, DT Swiss H1700 TR wheelset and a set of Maxxis Minion EXO casing tires.
You can get your hands on the BH AtomX Lynx eMTB for a lot less than that, however. The 140mm travel aluminum models start from £4,999.90. Head to the BH Bikes website for full details on pricing, specs and availability.
