BH Ultralight RC Ultegra Di2 (2013)

Light, strong, affordable. Have all three

Pros

- Ultegra Di2
- Quality frame
- Solid BB area with BB386

Cons

- Frame doesn't stand out in a crowd

Review

The Ultralight RC is the affordable version of BH's classic Ultralight, which was stunning not just for how little weight it carried around, but also for its ride dynamics. The RC version has added a little beef and dropped the high ticket price to become more accessible to the average rider.

From all reports the excellent ride of the original Ultralight has not been lost. This RC version also combines excellent stiffness, comfort and relatively low weight. Considering this model is equipped with Ultegra Di2, which does add a couple of hundred grams to any bike, a complete weight of just over 7kg is pretty darn good at this price point.

Speaking of which, the Ultegra electronic gearing operates smoothly and reliably and adds some excitement factor to an already impressive bike. Another feature to mention is the BB386 developed in conjunction with FSA. This bottom bracket technology combines the width of a conventional setup with the oversize spindle you would normally associate with a BB30. The result is an incredibly stiff and solid frame with great power transfer qualities.

Combine this with narrow seat stays and a relatively small diameter conventional seatpost and you have a compliant all day ride as well. In fact, the only real disappointment with the Ultralight RC is that it just doesn't stand out visually in a crowd, a shame considering up close you can see the quality of the finish. Its looks are a bit underwhelming.

That said, I would strongly recommend this bike for any serious road cyclist. It is light, It can climb well, has excellent comfort and stiffness qualities and is affordable. Add to that the cutting edge electronic groupset...what more could you want?