Whether climbing steeps or ripping along the flats, this bike feels efficient and precise.
Lowdown: BH Ultralight EVO Road Bike
Gone are the days when road bike makers could simply roll out an ultra light claimed frame weight number and expect sales to roll in. Sure weight still does (and always will) matter, but with so many manufacturers cracking the code on shaving grams, it’s ride quality and price that are the real determinants in this increasingly competitive space. So yes, the BH Bikes (as in Beistegui Hermanos) Ultralight EVO is one very wispy bike, with a claimed frame weight of under 700 grams sans rider weight restrictions. But how does the Spanish bike maker’s stealth climbing whip handle in the real world? Read our full review to find out.
| Frame: Ultralight EVO carbon | Cassette: Shimano Dura Ace 11-28 |
| Fork: Ultralight EVO carbon w/1.5” steerer | Chain: Shimano |
| Wheels: Mavic CC40 carbon | Bars: BH S. Lite SL 44cm |
| Hubs: Mavic SSC | Stem: BH S. Lite 110mm |
| Tires: Mavic Yksion Pro 23c | Seatpost: BH S. Lite 27.2mm |
| Brakes: Shimano Dura Ace | Saddle: Prologo Kappa2 |
| Shifters: Shimano Dura Ace | Headtube angle: 73.5 degrees |
| Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura Acve | Headtube length: 19.5cm |
| Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace | Seat angle: 72.5 degrees |
| Cable routing: Internal | Chainstay length: 402mm |
| Crankset: Rotor 3D 52-36 | Sizes: XS-XL |
| Weight: 15.6 pounds (size XL as tested) | MSRP: $3999 (frame and fork) | Rating:  4 out of 5 stars |
Pluses |
Minuses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review: BH Ultralight EVO Road Bike
The first thing you do with a bike that has “ultralight” in its name is weigh it. And indeed the BH Ultralight EVO fared well on the scale, posting a 15.6-pound reading while dressed with a host of high-zoot parts, including Dura Ace mechanical drivetrain and Mavic CC40 carbon wheels. So while we didn’t strip the bike all the way down to its frame, it’s a safe bet BH is not messing around with its sub-700 gram weight claim, which is based on a size medium frame. (We tested an XL.)
Our test ride weighed in at 15.6 pounds, size XL. But you can build it up any way you want, as it is currently only available as a frameset in the U.S.
It’s also worth mentioning that this bike is a lot like its predecessor, the BH Ultralight. Besides the extra three letters in its name, the differences are subtle, focused primarily in how BH says it laid up the carbon and the shape of the bike’s bottom bracket. Lay up claims are just that, and without hunkering down on the factory floor, it’s hard to do much more than pass the information on. BH says they’ve done it better than before, which in part helped them shave 50 grams of frame weight.
The BB386EVO bottom bracket helps maximize junction space for the girthy downtube and oversized chainstays.
The bottom bracket, on the other hand, is clearly a point of emphasis on this bike. It’s wide. It’s big. It’s stiff. You notice it at first glance — and more importantly, first pedal stroke. No noodly feel here. The BH Ultralight EVO takes power in and turns it into momentum out. That’s true whether grinding up a climb (where this bike shines) or blasting down a straightaway (where it also fairs quite well).
Out of two bikes tested how BH ultralight and Giatnt TCR compare in terms of BB stiffness and handling? Are the bikes comparable, or one excel over the other one in some aspects?
I’d give a slight nod to the Giant. BB is super stiff. More noticeable than on almost any bike I’ve tested. Both handled well. Giant will likely be less expensive at various spec levels. Thanks for reading — Jason
I’m torn between a few older model bikes that bike shops are closing out. 1. bh ultralight 2014 model at 1200.00…2. cervelo 2016 r5 model with ultegra group at 3500.00 and finally a 2016 dogma model at 2900.00…both the bh and dogma are frame and fork. Which is the better buy??
sorry…that’s an f8 dogma