Bold, the brand known for pioneering the integrated rear shock, has introduced a new bike into its line-up. Filling the space for a heavy-hitting enduro bike, the Unplugged gets that recognisable integrated shock design with a fresh linkage, an adjustable bottom bracket and clever storage solutions.

• Five ways to tell your shock needs a service
• Best mountain bikes for under £3,000 - capable trail bikes that won't break the bank

• Buyer's guide to mountain bike pedals - what's best, flats or clips?

Bold says that the Unplugged redefines the rules, coming with 170mm of travel at the front and 160mm at the rear, though as with the Scott Genius, integration is the star of the show. That's not only due to its shock layout, but the theme of integration is apparent throughout the bike.

2023 bold unplugged crank.JPG, by Liam Mercer

As expected of a Bold bike, the Unplugged rocks Internal Suspension Technology (or IST for short). This allows the designers to place the shock as low as physically possible in the frame, improving the handling and increasing service intervals, says the brand.

2023 bold unplugged linkage lower.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Along with IST, Bold has redesigned the bike's linkage. Because the shock is housed inside of the frame, the linkage can be made smaller, and more compact, which is said to reduce weight and boost stiffness. The linkage is attached directly to the shock and the upper is bolted to an axle, so the pivots are constructed integrally into the frame, rather than around like with many frames with traditionally mounted shocks. 

2023 bold unplugged linkage upper.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Bold has opted to choose a Virtual Pivot linkage design for its efficient pedaling and its response under braking. It's been designed to offer supple small-bump sensitivity as well as support in the midstroke and excellent control towards the bottom.

The brand has addressed shock access by fitting a cover on the downtube which allows access to all of the settings as well as the cable to the bike's TracLoc system. Then, there's a sag indicator that uses a clever magnet system.

2023 bold unplugged top tube.JPG, by Liam Mercer

The Unplugged is built with TracLoc, a system that manages the bike's sag point, rather than relying on low-speed compression, to improve the bike's efficiency when pedaling. TracLoc changes the compression damping and the spring curve which dynamically alters the stroke volume of the shock. This both firms up the shock and reduces its travel by 60%. The bike then sits higher and the seat angle steepens for a better position while climbing.

There's then a raft of adjustability features, starting with the flip chip installed into the seat stay/linkage. This alters the bottom bracket height by 5mm and there's an adjustable headset that offers a full degree of head tube angle adjustment simply by turning its cups.

2023 bold unplugged DT.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Built around a full carbon frame, the Unplugged takes advantage of Syncros' integrated bar and stem for a super clean look and there are a bunch of storage solutions found by opening the down tube cover. There's also a tool kit available that's designed especially for this space.

The Unplugged can be run as either a full 29er or mullet and, in both guises, it gets a 63.2-degree head tube angle, a 77.8-degree seat tube angle and a 437mm chainstay. A large frame benefits from a 490mm reach and that's all with the bike in its slackest setting.

2023 bold unplugged mech.JPG, by Liam Mercer

As well as two framesets available, there are two builds on offer with the Unplugged ultimate benefitting from an Öhlins fork paired with the Fox Float X Nude and SRAM X01 Eagle AXS shifting. The Unplugged Pro gets a Fox 38 Performance fork with the same shock and SRAM GX Eagle AXS shifting.

• www.boldcycles.com

You might also like:

• off.road.cc adventures: Elan Valley bikepacking bothy trip
• Bikepacking kit on a budget: everything you need to bivvy for under £100
• Discover the world of bikepacking with Komoot