2024 Bold

Unplugged Pro

The Bold Unplugged Enduro Bike is overhauled for 2023 with the shock reoriented into the downtube-BB junction for 160mm VPP travel

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The Bold Unplugged Pro is an enduro bike from the brand famed for its clean, sleek design and hidden shock, and for 2023 it gets a redesigned frame, more travel and down tube storage. So how does all this translate to on-trail performance, and is it good enough to be judged one of the best enduro bikes? Need to know Bold’s enduro bike gets a redesigned frame, with hidden horizontal Fox Float X shock. Frame travel has been increased to to 160mm and paired with a 170mm fork. 29in wheels on L and XL sizes, mullet for S and M. Increased standover height, with longer dropper posts on all sizes. Clean lines, thanks to Syncros Hixon one-piece bar/stem and SRAM AXS shifting. Two models, Pro with Fox fork and Ultimate with Ohlins, or a frame, shock and bar/stem only option. Downtube storage with a Save the Day tube/pump/tool wrap Bold is all about the hidden shock that appears on all its bikes, the new Unplugged Pro notwithstanding. It makes them clean looking, defines the brand and leads to some interesting design decisions. It takes more than a concealed air can to make this one of the best enduro bikes on the market today though, and as such the Swiss brand has learnt from its owner Scott and incorporated some of the best design features from the likes of the Genius and Spark. How the suspension works The Unplugged still uses a twin-link suspension configuration but frame travel has been increased by 10mm to 160mm, where the lower link pivots around the BB shell. It’s not a unique approach, but Bold does things a little differently because the shock is located horizontally and obviously inside the frame. With no shock o-ring visible, Bold takes advantage of the lower link by adding a magnetic sag/travel metre which rotates around the BB shell. This means you can still accurately set the shock pressure without grovelling on your knees with a thin torch clamped in your teeth. Frame/shock access is via a big downtube protector or storage door. It’s secured with a little push button magnet that’s easy to use, and inside you can easily access the air valve and rebound dial on the Float X shock. No internal storage would be complete without the accompanying tube and tool wrap, in Bold’s case it’s called the Save the Day Kit. Inside is a pump, tube, tyre levers, multitool with Allen keys and spot for a chain quick-link. And just to make things easy, the removable rear axle lever doubles as a tool with a 6mm Allen key, T25 and T30 for essential fettling. New frame for 2023 The frame is completely new for the 2023 bike, it’s made from HMX carbon fibre front and rear of course (the same carbon Scott uses, in fact) but the bike looks noticeably lower to the ground, almost as if the BB area is sagging down between the two wheels. Standover height is far superior too, the top …Continue reading »

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