Product news: The BULLS Black Adder comes with a new frame and drive concept for the next season. A large number of innovative technologies have been implemented in the high-end hardtail for tough XC racing applications. Features include the Endurance Lite Concept, Race Boost Drive Train and the option of using a telescopic seat post with internal cable routing.
For the 2019 model year, BULLS is once again making a big splash. The many innovations also include the high-end hardtail BULLS Black Adder with a new carbon frame. The use of high-strength high-modulus fibers and their alignment gives modern XC racers a stiff and comfortable frame that weighs just 950 grams. The frame was developed in cooperation with the successful BULLS Cross-Country Marathon Team. The engineers were thus able to determine exactly where maximum rigidity is required on the one hand and where flexibility is required on the other. This should eliminate grueling vibrations and allow the rider to attack fully, even in the final meters of a stage. The innovative design by BULLS is called the Endurance Lite Concept. The geometry of the BULLS Black Adder has been further optimized in terms of driving safety downhill. The steering angle has become flatter at 69°, and something has also changed with the reach. This is now longer for smoother running. Very short 430 mm chainstays are used so as not to negatively affect agility. The seat angle is race-oriented 74°, which should ultimately prevent the front wheel from lifting off even on steep climbs.
Another feature of the high-end bike is the Race Boost Drive Train, which combines Boost components with the conventional standard. A technology that was previously only available to the racing team. With a 2x drivetrain, a professional rides on the larger chainring until he is forced to use the small one. So he also drives big-big, which actually didn't work due to a lack of technical solutions. This is now possible with the new Black Adder because the front derailleur is in the non-boost position and the chain line on the large chainring is three millimeters further towards the center of the cassette. This means that it is only about 1,5 mm further out than a 1x crank with a 52 chain line. The new Black Adder is available with both 2×11 and 1×12 drives. The dropouts have also been optimized in this regard. Combining the Boost hub with the non-Boost standard thru-axle enabled the manufacture of a 3mm narrower full carbon dropout. In the standard equipment of the Black Adder, BULLS also uses the DUROFLEX comfort seat post. The frame also allows the installation of a telescopic seat post with internal cable routing if required for later retrofitting.
The BULLS Black Adder is available in three specifications at prices from 2.799,00 to 4.999,00 euros. The BULLS Bushmaster has the same frame on the outside, but with a different fiber selection. The manufacturer puts the weight of the frame at 1.100 grams. Like the Black Adder, the Bushmaster is also available in three versions. The prices here are between 1.499,00 and 2.499,00 euros.