mountain bikes: Test: Bulls Wild Edge Team Di2 – The race bike from Karl Platt and Co.

Test: With the Bulls Wild Edge Team Di2 we had a real full suspension bike to test, because the bike was developed by the Bulls engineers together with the German MTB professional Karl Platt. The bike was continuously improved over several prototypes in order to be able to attack uncompromisingly on the race track. Karl had a few tips ready for our road rider and tester Florian Nowak on how to bring fun and success together with the Bulls Wild Edge Team Di2.

As Karl Platt tells us, the Bulls Wild Edge Team Di2 was primarily designed for the racetrack and above all for demanding terrain, such as the Cape Epic in South Africa. At first glance, things that seemed banal were also included in the development process, but they make a good bike a very good one. Among them: more heel room with the chainstays, a second bottle holder for a 0,75l drinking bottle or legroom when standing over the frame. In addition, technical riding details came into play, which influenced the choice of the damper and spring concept for the frame or which bearings were installed, what the steering geometry is like and much more.

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Bulls Wild Edge Team Di2 – The Frame

First, let's take a quick look at the frame. The rear triangle has been specially optimized for the 2018 Wild Edge 100 mm frame. This is relatively narrow, which gives you more heel and leg room. In addition, special bearings were used on the rear end to make it more sensitive. This should result in a better response, which means that even the smallest impacts can be noticeably absorbed. Of course, this is reflected in the comfort, since the impacts are passed on to the rider less strongly and the bike runs more smoothly.

Two very interesting points for me as a road driver were the suspension and geometry or seat position. In times when everything on a racing bike is trimmed for propulsion and stiffness, it was actually clear to me that the suspension on the Bulls Wild Edge would lose a lot of watts even with the lockout. During the conversation, Karl showed me another innovation on the frame that almost completely eliminates this problem.

The bearing points have been optimized in such a way that the suspension stretches when you pedal. This means that the harder you pedal, the more the suspension stretches, resulting in the shock not moving when pedaling out of the saddle. In technical jargon, this pulling apart is called anti-squat.

Of course, as a road rider, you are initially a bit skeptical about the seating position, which is mainly due to the MTB geometry. However, the Bulls Wild Edge Team Di2 is designed for a very efficient seating position, which has a sporty effect on the riding style. Thanks to this balanced geometry, I was able to adjust the Bulls to my usual racing bike dimensions and start riding straight away without having to make any major adjustments.

Bulls Wild Edge Team Di2 – Equipment

It is also clear that such a frame does not skimp on the equipment in order to offer the pros from Team Bulls the best possible setup. We tested the top model and as the name suggests, one of the equipment highlights is the electronic Shimano XTR Di2 gear system, which is ideal for racing. Because even under train, it switches precisely and softly. With an entire XTR brake unit, the Bulls Wild Edge Team Di2 can be brought to a standstill in a flash, even in the fastest sections.

Another not only visual highlight is the Upsidedown RS1 suspension fork from Rock Shox. With the light but very stable DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline wheels, you are well prepared for any terrain and can fully concentrate on the ride. The Duroflex seat post provides additional comfort while riding. The T-One handles also offer decent comfort and grip at the same time, which makes the ride much more relaxed.

Bulls Wild Edge Team Di2 – Out and about like the pros ?!

After I had adjusted everything as usual to my usual racing bike dimensions, I could start. Immediately after the first few meters you can feel what a high-quality bike you are riding. On the one hand, the Bulls Wild Edge Team Di2 offers outstanding handling, on the other hand, thanks to the stiff drive, it rides like a first-class hardtail with the lockout closed. With a fighting weight of just 10,4 kg, the Bulls Fully is an outstanding climber. You can simply feel how every step is converted into propulsion and the power doesn't just disappear somewhere in the material. This also benefits you on winding sections where you have to start again and again.

To be honest, the Wild Edge convinced me the most in “roller” passages. Here the bullet runs incredibly well and literally invites you to shoot. But it can also play to its strengths to the full on descents. Thanks to the short rear end, it is very playful to ride, while it is also extremely stable in faster sections due to the long reach. This is where the fork comes into play, which does a good job on hard root passages and trails thanks to its sensitive response and great steering precision.

The race fully is rounded off by the Shimano XTR Di2 circuit, which works perfectly in every situation. What many drivers are probably not aware of: you can drive the double XTR Di2 like a shift with a mono blade. With a brief adjustment to the correct shifting mode, the group works in such a way that it automatically changes the chainring from a certain gear, depending on whether you are shifting heavier or lighter. So you can enjoy the complete range and gradation of two chainrings, but you can operate everything with the right shifter for the rear derailleur - as with the single groupset. In my opinion a top feature!

The only "negative point" I can only cite is the handlebars, which as a road rider were simply too wide for me, but this is primarily a matter of habit and also very individual, depending on the type of rider.

Anyone who now claims that the Bulls Wild Edge is only for real professionals: Far from it! Because it is suitable for any terrain, you do not have to commit to a specific area of ​​application. It doesn't matter whether it's an ultra-distance marathon, a transalp with long climbs or a tough home run, with the Bulls Wild Edge Team Di2 you always have the perfect companion. Who knows, as a road rider, I might even dare to take on the Cape Epic challenge with such a bike.