First look at the 2020 Calibre Bossnut. All-new geometry, all new Eagle drivetrain, all-new colours same great value for money.
Since 2015 the Calibre Bossnut has been the goto bike for anyone looking for quality full-suspension at a knock out price, but for 2020 this UK bike maker has turned the dial to 11 perhaps even further.
We’ve tested various versions and updates of the Bossnut over the years, and the result is always the same. Glowing reports, happy faces, and riders wanting to get out on the budget bouncer for another spin.
So what is it that has made the Bossnut such hot property? Well, it has a sorted suspension platform with great geometry. The build kit is burly and surprisingly good considering the price. Oh, the price at around £1000, it has always been a bargain.
The Bossnut has become a bit of a cult and even has its own fan club, but 2020 sees major changes to this much-loved bike. Take a look.
2020 Calibre Bossnut Frame
For 2020 the old Calibre Bossnut has gone, but to replace it an all-new Bossnut has been introduced. The new bike is so new, so updated and different that it could have been given a new name, but thankfully Calibre has stuck with the one we all know and love.
The 2020 updates start with an all-new alloy frame that gets an absolutely stunning metallic red paint job and B.N.G (Bold New Graphics). It’s not all about looks though because the new Bossnut frame has had some serious geometry tweaking and the numbers look spot on.
Available in 4 sizes, the new Calibre Bossnut has a reach measurement ranging from 423.5mm to 476mm. A 66° head angle is slack enough for enduro trails, but not too slack that it will trundle on fun flow lines, while the seat tube angle is 74.5°.
Along with a new finish and new geometry, the Bossnut now has a bolt through rear axle, new hose guides for installing a stealth dropper post, a single bottle cage mount and tabs to fit a chain guide.
The same suspension linkage that was found on the previous Bossnut makes a return, but Calibre has worked with RockShox to tune the Monarch rear shock to offer the best base settings out of the box.
Rockshox is also called in to handle the suspension at the opposite end of the Bossnut too. For 2020 the base level bike is fitted with a RockShox Recon fork with fancy ‘Fast Black’ stanchions. Rebound and compression settings are also found on the fork while the rear is limited to rebound only.
2020 Calibre Bossnut Build
As we’ve already touched on the suspension, let’s dive into the rest of the Bossnut build where more gems are hidden. Gems such as the 1×12 Eagle drivetrain.
SRAM’s latest SX groupset is an affordable entry to the Eagle family and offers the same range as NX. It would have been pretty easy for Calibre to save money going for an 11-speed drivetrain or even spec an own brand chainset, but the complete Eagle system is SX, which we think is very special at this price point.
Even the brakes are SRAM Level T hydraulic options. These might be 2 pots but they perform very well, have and have a very comfortable level feel.
The new Bossnut remains a 27.5in bike, riders wanting bigger wheels can opt for the bigger travel Sentry. WTB ST i29 rims wrapped in WTB tyres are usually a good combination, and again Calibre has gone that extra mile by specially ordering 2.3in Vigilante High Grip Comp tyres for the front.
Calibre’s own brand componentry makes up the cockpit, but the lock-on grips are now a softer, more comfortable compound than those found on last year’s bike. The bars are 31.8mm diameter, 30mm rise and 780mm wide and the stem measures 40mm.
A Calibre Trail saddle comes with matching red graphics and sits in the new frame via a Calibre alloy seat post. No, it isn’t a dropper post, but Calibre has made it a very simple job to add your own at a later date. Plus, just look at everything you’re getting for just £1100!
2020 Bossnut Gallery
Well, how does it ride? We’re glad you asked and we have that answer over here.
2020 Calibre Bossnut Specifications
- Frame // 6061 Hydroformed alloy frame. 130mm travel. 12 x 142 bolt thru.
- Fork // RockShox Recon Solo Air, custom tune 130mm travel
- Shock // RockShox Monarch R, custom tune, 190 x 51
- Hubs // Formula
- Rims // WTB ST i29 TCS 2.0
- Tyres // WTB Vigilante High-Grip Comp 27.5 x 2.3 front, WTB Trail Boss Comp 27.5 2.25 rear.
- Chainset // SRAM SX Eagle Powerspline 170mm, 32t
- Rear Mech // SRAM SX Eagle, 12-Speed
- Shifter // SRAM SX Eagle, 12-Speed
- Cassette // SRAM Eagle, 12-Speed, 10-50t
- Brakes // SRAM Level T, 180mm front / 160mm rear rotors
- Stem // Calibre 45mm
- Bar // Calibre Alloy, 780mm, 30mm rise, 31.8
- Grips // Calibre lock-on
- Seatpost // Calibre Alloy 30.9 x 350mm
- Saddle // Calibre Trail
- Size Tested // Large
- Sizes Available // Small, Medium, Large & XL
- Claimed Weight // 15.2 kg (5.66lb)
- RRP // £1100
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That really looks mint.