The new BH iLynx Race Carbon e-bike doesn’t look all that different than the regular pedal-powered version that launched at the end of last year. Blurring the lines between MTB & e-MTB has been something BH has been working on for a few years. And just like with their lightweight road Core e-bike family, this new iLynx eMTB has the potential to get many mountain bikers rethinking the possibilities of pedal-assist…
BH iLynx Race Carbon, lightweight & long-range eMTB
BH has taken a wide-ranging approach to e-bikes over the years, utilizing more different motor & battery systems than most bike manufacturers, as they refined what works best for each type of riding. Some of their eMTBs include: the original Yamaha-powered e-Lynx, the uniquely-shaped, Brose-powered Atom X, even the recent wildly-swooping trail Xtep with latest Shimano EP8.
But now, the new BH iLynx Race Carbon goes back to their Core e-bike concept – using BH’s own house-brand powertrain to get lightweight, smooth pedal-assist that almost disappears in to the e-bike’s design.
The idea was to better mimic the look and natural ride feel of a regular mountain bike without suffering the weight penalties, bulky aesthetics & compromised geometry common to many eMTBs.
From many angles, it’s almost impossible to even tell it’s an e-bike.
e-bike Tech details
The new iLynx Race Carbon eMTB uses the same updated 2.2kg compact BH 2ESMAG motor that debuted in the Core Carbon Race all-road & GravelX gravel back in Nov 2020, said to be the result of a decade of producing e-bikes. Promising low friction, quiet operation, the 250W motor has a low (for e-bikes) 163mm Q-factor and now gets boosted output to 65Nm of torque. Paired to a small diameter 540Wh battery tucked into the downtube, BH says the iLynx Race Carbon gets a trail range for 130km.
And like the Core bikes, an add-on 180Wh XPro bottle battery will extend your range, off-road by another 45km, to a total range BH calls “record-breaking” in a light eMTB of 175km of real XC riding. The unique XPro bottle+cage is also wire-free. The cage connects to the internal battery through the downtube, so you need only snap the XPro bottle battery into place for extended range, or use the smart cage to carry a regular water bottle.
The BH pedal-assist powertrain has 4 modes operated by a small controller that sits next to your dropper remote, with status shown on a full-color X Display on the bar (like Di2) next to the stem. The whole system communicates with Bluetooth & ANT+ and will share data to your Garmin GPS.
Similarity to the Lynx Race EVO
Much of BH’s goals with the iLynx Race Carbon were to make it as much like the new Lynx Race EVO carbon XC bike as possible – visually & functionally. Sharing the same HCIM carbon manufacturing tech, the e-bike frameset is said to weigh just 2050g (without the motor or battery), just 100g more than the XC bike.
Its overall Split Pivot suspension design is also the same, with the new oversized main pivot to the linkage-driven single pivot – even if chainstay length is 23mm longer. Not bad for an eMTB, really. Travel options are the same, too – race 100mm or light trail, longer travel 120mm with different stroke shocks in the same frame.
The shorter travel 100mm e-bike is a shade steeper up front at 68.5° than the non-e version to make up for its slightly longer wheelbase, getting slightly longer reach & a bit taller stack.
The LT 120mm version gets a similar shift in geometry, slackened out to a 67.7° head angle. Four stock sizes are available in either travel setup, with the M, L & XL eMTBs surprisingly close to mimicking their regular MTB counterparts.
Like with the Lynx, the iLynx also gets FIT tool integration in the steerer, including long 2.5/3/4/5/6 hex bits, a T25, chain breaker, CO2 adaptor (carrier) & quick link storage. It also gets the same internal cable routing through the top headset bearing cap, and Boost spacing.
2021 BH iLynx Race Carbon – eMTB pricing & options
Opposite to the pedal-powered Lynx Race, the 2021 BH iLynx Race Carbon is offered in just one single short-travel 100mm Pro build for faster cross-country riding, with XX1 AXS for 9000€, at a claimed 16.8kg complete.
Then, there’s three more complete 120mm travel LT bike specs for added versatility, starting at 6000€ with XT, up to 8000€ with XTR.
Four stock colors are available in any model, plus the BH Unique program that offers paint & spec customization.
