BH SL1 2.9 - Pursuer from the Basque Country
The traditional Basque brand BH (pronounced: Beh Atsche) is primarily known for motorised bikes, but also has a fleet of racing bikes in its range. The SL1 2.9 is the top model in the endurance segment - and an agile representative in terms of riding characteristics. The carbon racer owes this to its sloping geometry, the lowered bottom bracket and the short wheelbase, which makes the BH turn in the style of a competition bike.
The relatively small frame leads to a rather sporty riding position. However, road cyclists with long legs should reach for the next larger model, as the short top tube could otherwise cause them to hit their knees on the handlebars when pedalling out of the saddle. The sporty note is also reflected in the tyre clearance, 30 millimetres is almost too small for a modern marathon bike.
The relatively narrow standard tyres literally leave room for more suspension comfort. While the extended aluminium seat post still offers reasonable suspension, vibrations are almost unfiltered at the semi-integrated handlebar/stem unit.
The frameset shares the fate of the Basso: both are the heaviest in the comparison - but the BH is not particularly torsionally stiff. The compliant fork in particular creates a slightly spongy ride feel when cornering at high speed. The BH is therefore not the first choice for heavy riders, even though the Spaniards specify a permissible system weight of 120 kilos.
As a marathon bike, the SL1 certainly doesn't need to be chased over the tarmac at high speed; the Basques have other experts in their portfolio with the fast Aerolight or lightweight Ultralight. Nevertheless, it feels a little sluggish when setting off and loses touch with comparable models.
The BH SL1 2.9 in detail
- Price: 3499 Euro
- Weight: 8,8 Kilo
- Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1258/486/91 grammes
- Frame sizes** XS, SM, MD, LA, XL
- Seat/top tube/head tube 465/560/150 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 567/377 millimetres/1.50
- Wheelbase/caster 975/59 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes Shimano 105 (160/140 millimetres)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Vision Team 30/Hutchinson Nitro 2 28 mm (f./h.: 1532/2002 g)
Strengths: Direct steering behaviour, tool-free mounting of thru axles
Weaknesses: Relatively heavy, torsion-prone fork, low tyre clearance
The BH SL1 2.9 gets an overall TOUR score of 2.4
More marathon bikes with Shimano 105 Di2 in the TOUR test
>> Basso Astra
>> Canyon Endurace CF 7 Di2
>> Cube Agree C:62
>> Giant Defy Advanced 1
>> Look 765 Optimum
>> Ridley Grifn
>> Rose Reveal Four 105 Di2
>> Storck Fascenario.3 Comp 105 Di2
* Weighed weights.
** Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
*** Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube;
STR (Stack to Reach)1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright sitting position.
**** Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.
Julian Schultz
Editor
