A show like the Roc d’Azur, which was held from October 5 to 9, 2022, is an opportunity to try out exceptional mountain bikes, whether you are a fan of muscular models or their electrically assisted cousins. . We have described our experience in the saddle of the BH iLynx Trail, a high-end hybrid e-MTB. At the same time, we rode another model from the equally premium brand: the Xtep Carbon Pro. The latter adopts a different philosophy from that of the iLynx and takes the path of all-purpose mountain biking.
As you will have understood, this is an eMTB with a carbon frame. A frame whose shape does not fail to challenge with its arched diagonal tube. BH’s idea here is to center the masses as much as possible with a Shimano EP8 motor placed in the crankset and a battery that cleverly follows the shape of the frame to maintain a low center of gravity. The use of carbon makes it possible to maintain a weight under the 25 kg bar, which obviously remains far from the 19 kg of the iLynx Trail or the 17 kg of an Orbea Rise.
But the philosophy of a mountain bike equipped with a motor capable of developing 85 Nm and equipped with a 730 Wh battery is obviously not the same as that of a hybrid electric bike. With the Xtep, BH is betting on a model capable of playing on trail terrain, but just as efficient on more committed enduro-type sections. This double game is reflected in the range by the presence of a Fox 34 Float Rythm 140 mm fork-mounted version at the entry and a model that passes on a larger 36 Float Performance with 160 mm of travel. It is also possible to opt for a Fox 38 Float Factory assembly (160 mm) in the ultimate version of the Xtep Carbon Pro.
For our part, we rode on the intermediate version, called Xtep Carbon Pro 9.8. The suspensions of this version allowed us to cross in the greatest comfort the brittle paths of the Fréjus coast. The Spanish e-MTB, well fitted with 2.4-inch-wide 29-inch Maxxis Minion Terra Exo tires, sticks to the ground both uphill and downhill. Admittedly, fans of precise and twirling piloting will find it lacking in agility. And again, we were pleasantly surprised by its good performance on slightly more demanding passages.
With a Shimano EP8 motor, the Xtep Carbon Pro is quite simply a climbing machine. Even the most marked ribs are easily swallowed thanks to the very comfortable torque of the Japanese engine. Shimano further offers to customize the assist modes (Eco, Trail and Boost) according to reaction time, torque and power preferences. Enough to personalize the outings as much as possible according to your tastes, but also the terrain. The EP8 remains one of the smoothest e-MTB motors in its approach, but it does not lack fishing when confronting a difficulty.
An eMTB like the BH Xtep Carbon Pro is also a guarantee of endurance. The 730 Wh battery allows you to plan very long outings without worrying about the mode in which you pedal. This necessarily removes a weight when starting an outing that is not perfectly planned. BH allows you to extract the battery from your mountain bike from the top of the frame. A key lock or a magnetic lock frees the accumulator with an atypical profile for separate recharging or easy replacement. Unlocking can be done using a connected bracelet. A procedure that we ultimately find a little overrated, especially since it is far from smooth. It is also possible to activate a lock of the electronics of the bike by means of this bracelet.
To complete this successful picture, BH adorns his toy with a pair of Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes, a four-piston braking system that offers a bite that is both powerful and precise. Enough to complete a perfectly secure flap on the handlebars of the Xtep Carbon Pro, which opens its arms to cyclists with varied profiles.
And inevitably, for such a well-designed VTTAE, checkout is not without pain. It takes at least 6999 € for the entry version (8.7) and up to 8999 € for the ultimate model (9.9). Inevitably, the BH Xtep Carbon Pro is not within the reach of all budgets. In a bicycle market that seems to be breaking new records every quarter, this is unfortunately no exception.