Balfa Historic Bikes

These are bikes that put Balfa on the cycling industry map. They are pre-BB7 models, so BB7 Model history is a natural continuation of this page.

WOOLY BULLY

Balfa Wooly Bully Balfa Wooly Bully
  • Year 1994;
  • Produced for 7 years;
  • Originally a downhill racing bike, then it became enduro/XC frame in 1995;
  • 6" (152 mm) of travel (in 1994!);
  • 4" (100 mm) of travel (and aluminum front end) in 2001 XC model;
  • URT (Unified Rear Triangle) suspension design (one of the first on the market).

MTBR reviews: original model and 2001 XC model.

BOBONUM

Balfa Bobonum
  • Year 1995;
  • Produced for 4 years;
  • Designed as a downhill bike after switching the Wooly Bully into more XC-friendly;
  • Made entirely of Cr-Mo steel;
  • Aluminium front end added in 1998 (for the first time in Balfa Cycles);
  • URT (Unified Rear Triangle) suspension design.

NR (NOUVEAU RICHE)

Balfa NR Balfa NR Balfa NR
Balfa Nouveau Riche Balfa Nouveau Riche Balfa Nouveau Riche
Balfa Nouveau Riche Balfa NR Balfa NR review
  • Year 1998;
  • World Champion and Canada Cup Champion bike in 2000;
  • Described as a "competition-eating-monster-bike";
  • 9" (228 mm) of travel;
  • Originally made of Cr-Mo steel, then aluminum front end was added;
  • High pivot suspension design.

MTBR reviews: NR and Nouveau Riche.