The first contact with the BH SL1 out of the box suggests a pleasant surprise. The finish is of a very good standard, with integrated cables and housing at the head tube and a seatpost clamp concealed in the top tube. The beautiful paintwork is flattering, and the bike is also available in five colors, which is quite rare. BH classifies its SL1 among its “endurance” models, but its profile is directly inspired by the Ultralight and it benefits from manufacturing that uses HCIM (Hollow Core Internal Molding) technology, found on the Spanish brand’s high-end bikes.

The frame is announced at 1050 g in size MD, with a pronounced sloping top tube for a sporty feel, massive tubes where rigidity is important, a one-piece rear triangle with curved seatstays and wide chainstays for stability and comfort. The bottom bracket shell is BB386EVO format, and relies on a wide down tube at this point, as well as a seat tube flared at its lower part, which, according to the brand, significantly increases rigidity while requiring thinner tubes. A slimmed head tube shows the design work done on the SL1, far from being a cheap carbon frame.

But the SL1 remains a relatively affordable bike financially (compared to what’s on the market today), and it’s offered in three versions, starting at €2199 with a Shimano Tiagra groupset and up to €2999 with Shimano Ultegra 11-speed, including a €2399 model with Shimano 105. It is intended for amateur cyclists in the true sense of the word, those who ride on weekends without performance goals or for the pleasure of covering long distances by bike. Or for those who cannot or do not wish to spend a fortune to ride a bike sportily.

A BH SL1 that hides its game well

With a mass close to 9 kg without pedals and essential accessories for riding (bottle cages, repair kit, and possibly a bike computer), the SL1 is not a featherweight, and this can be felt from the moment you start riding on the road. Accelerations are a little more demanding than with a high-end machine that weighs 2 kg less, especially since the excess weight here, as often at this price point, is in the wheels. On our usual routes with many stops, traffic lights, and false-flat accelerations in their first part, the bike proves a bit tiring if you want to maintain the same average speed as with a top-of-the-range bike, unless you take your time. The conclusion is identical on climbs, even if the SL1 compensates for its lack of dynamism with a smooth ride that makes riding at a steady pace relatively pleasant, and ultimately quite efficient over long distances.

Once cruising speed is reached, the bike’s stability and very good rigidity are appreciated, without being too harsh for those who lack physical condition. The SL1 doesn’t falter under powerful pedal strokes, but it remains smooth enough to encourage long-term effort. And it particularly stands out for its very good comfort, thanks to the combination of several elements: good road holding thanks to its geometry that promotes stability, 28 mm tire width (the bike can accept up to 30 mm), and a weight that limits the feeling of bouncing on small road imperfections.

The BH is appreciated for its stability and very good rigidity, without being too harsh for those who lack physical condition.

The observation is identical on descents, or when it comes to gaining speed in general. In terms of handling, the SL1 is safe and efficient. It’s easy to place and maintain in trajectories, and it reassures less experienced riders with its disc braking, which is powerful and well-modulated, provided you’re not too light. Otherwise, it’s better to learn to anticipate the contact point of the brake pads with the rotor to avoid wheel lock-ups before embarking on a long descent in wet weather.

Comfort is also a matter of position, and here the bike’s geometry in size MD favors a relatively upright posture, with a 150 mm head tube and a fairly short top tube. These characteristics we circumvented for our part during the bike test, by mounting a longer stem with more angle, in order to more easily find our marks. Be careful, however, with the upper headset spacer that receives the cable and hose entry: it is essential and therefore further limits the lowering of the cockpit.

Equipment aimed at durability

Derailleur shifting is smooth and precise, and with the Shimano Ultegra 11-speed groupset, we are at the top of what’s available in mechanical derailleurs since the near-generalization of electronic systems on more expensive bikes. Note, however, that there’s not much to fault with the other two versions of the SL1 either, in Shimano 105 or Shimano Tiagra: they are heavier, but still work very well.

=> SEE ALSO: Full review of the Shimano Ultegra 11-speed groupset

The Vision Team TC 30 wheels feature a low-profile aluminum rim and are fitted with Hutchinson Nitro 2 700×28 tires. The package is durable, but really heavy for sharp use. Obviously, with different wheels, the BH SL1 offers a completely different face. And when we talk about different wheels, we also include tires, which are essential for energizing a bike’s behavior at a lower cost. It is thus possible to easily save 500 g on the total weight of the bike. Half a kilo that changes a lot in terms of the SL1’s behavior, in terms of dynamism and efficiency. With the arrival of disc braking, mid-range carbon wheels are available on the market that are less expensive than with rim braking (between €1000 and €1200), and which are sufficient in this case to change the BH’s character, with less inertia in the rims, and a profile that can also be more favorable to aerodynamics.

As for the components, the BH aluminum seatpost, stem, and handlebar are not very light either, and their quality level helps keep the SL1 at a consistent price. There’s also a Prologo Nago saddle that holds its own, even if its cover is a bit rough. It proves bothersome when trying to slide on the saddle to reposition oneself. For the crankset, the choice of the FSA Gossamer is debatable compared to a Shimano Ultegra, as it is also heavier. There again, it’s always possible to gradually change these accessories to save a little weight, even if the effect won’t be as radical as with the wheels. The fact remains that, in our opinion, the SL1 chassis amply deserves these progressive upgrades. Especially since at the cockpit level, BH uses the ICR system here, with cables passing under the stem and entering the frame at the headset. This has three advantages: easy stem (which we had to do for the test) or handlebar change, simplified maintenance, and no limitation for turning the handlebars as is sometimes the case with more complex systems.

Our opinion on the BH SL1

The BH SL1 2.9 presents itself as a great deal, with a good quality chassis that offers a very good balance between efficiency and comfort, and a modern and practical design that will allow it to evolve according to the user’s investment in their practice. But as it is, it is already a bike with good value for money, with reliable equipment capable of providing pleasant and trouble-free rides. This is also what many riders are looking for, for whom performance is not the ultimate goal.

The BH SL1 2.9 in brief… Rating: * Pros: modern frame, comfort, rigidity, semi-integration with practical aspects, Ultegra groupset Cons: wheels, tires, and some accessories too heavy Frame: SL1 Disc ICR Monocoque – Fork: RS1 Disc Full Integrated Tapered – Handlebar: BH Lite Compact – Stem: BH SL – Brakes: Shimano Ultegra 160/160 mm – Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 11 sp. – Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 11 sp. – Levers: Shimano Ultegra 11 sp. hydraulic – Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 11-30 – Chain: FSA TH-CN1102 11 sp. – Crankset: FSA Gossamer 50-34 – Wheels: Vision Team TC30 – Tires: Hutchinson Nitro 2 700×28 – Saddle: Prologo Nago – Seatpost: BH Lite 27.2 – Weight: 8.950 kg in size MD without pedals – Number of sizes: 5 – Colors: 5 – Price: €2999 Contact: bhbikes.com

=> SEE ALSO: All our Gear articles