Test / E-MTB: With the Bulls Sonic Evo AM Team, we finally tested the first production bike with the new Bosch CX Race motor. Apart from the drive, it also offers numerous exciting features, as well as a well-balanced geometry and equipment that leaves virtually nothing to be desired.
The frame of the Bulls Sonic Evo AM Team is (apart from the chic design in the RockShox signature colors) identical to that of the well-known and proven Bulls Sonic Evo AM Carbon. The carbon main frame with an aluminum rear triangle offers 150 mm of spring travel and thus sufficient reserves even for demanding routes, although 160 mm at the front would certainly not hurt in real enduro terrain. The wheel size mix of 29 inches at the front and 27,5 inches at the rear gives the bike a good-natured rollover behavior off-road, while at the same time retaining some agility.
MonkeyLink interfaces and great battery integration
Also on board are numerous features that we are now familiar with from some E-MTBs from the Cologne-based manufacturer. This also includes the successful battery integration with 45° removal. The bottle holder on the down tube also acts as a lock for the cover of the energy storage, which is also secured with a lock. By removing it at an angle from the side, the front wheel does not have to be turned in, and the flap is not at the mercy of constant mud and dirt bombardment.
Also typical for Bulls are the Fidlock-compatible MonkeyLink bottle holder and the powered MonkeyLink interface under the stem, where a compatible light can be clipped on and is powered directly by the e-bike. Rear lights are even integrated directly into the rear triangle; which raises the question of whether these are necessary on a bike with a race engine - on the other hand: having is better than needing, right?
Bulls Sonic Evo AM Team: Geometry
The geometry of the bike is sporty and appropriate for a 150 mm wheel. Dimensions such as the quite flat head angle of 65,5° and the reach of approx. 460 mm in frame size L are modern, but not extreme or progressive. Advantage: Virtually every cyclist should feel comfortable on the Bulls Sonic Evo AM Team almost immediately and without a long period of getting used to it. The bike conveys a lot of safety and a good balance uphill and downhill, even without an overly active riding style. Very sporty drivers could look forward to slightly more progressive dimensions, for example a slacker steering angle and a longer main frame.
Geometry Bulls Sonic EVO AM Team
Size | 41 | 44 | 48 | 51 |
---|---|---|---|---|
top tube length | 602 | 618 | 638 | 663 |
Chain stay length | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 |
Steering angle | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 |
seat tube angle | 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 |
bottom bracket drop | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
wheelbase | 1198 | 1213 | 1238 | 1262 |
Stack | 614 | 618 | 628 | 638 |
Reach | 425 | 440 | 461 | 482 |
Bosch CX Race: "Just" a CX motor - or is it more?
At the end of last season, Bosch surprised everyone with the presentation of the Bosch CX Race - a new engine that has a lot in common with the well-known CX. Basically, it is a weight-optimized variant (approx. 150 g lighter) in a different color that has an additional race mode. But it is precisely this race mode that is also the great special feature: Because even if the maximum power of the drive has not been increased, it feels like this in this full-throttle mode. This is due to the fact that the motor delivers a very high performance even with low driver input - and more responsive than the conventional CX motor.
Bosch CX Race under test: New engine (not only) for racing use
E-MTB / Test: With the Bosch CX Race, the e-bike pioneer from southern Germany is expanding its portfolio with a new motor. We've already been able to test it on the trails in Finale Ligure and reveal what makes the new powerhouse so special. At least since this year's Eurobike there has been a lot of rumor about a new motor from Bosch. [...]
The Extended Boost, which Bosch riders should already be familiar with from the eMTB mode, has also been fine-tuned and can best be described as "controlled pushing along". A brief impulse on the pedals is enough to get another noticeable boost from the motor without having to pedal any further. Exactly this behavior is taken to extremes in Race mode; the motor pushes further here by up to two meters.
Taken together, all these peculiarities lead to an enormously powerful, responsive, but also nervous driving behavior in race mode. Very good bike control is a prerequisite for dealing with technical climbs in particular. On the other hand: All known support modes are also on board the Bosch CX Race.
Sporty operating concept and long-range battery
The controls are also the latest from the Smart System: the minimalist system controller in the top tube is controlled via the wireless mini-remote on the handlebars. There is no real display, the battery charge status and support level can be read from the LEDs on the system controller. Retrofitting a display, e.g. Kiox 300, is just as possible as using the smartphone as a display replacement, here via the Bosch eBike Flow app.
There is no news in terms of the battery: the down tube of our test bike houses the well-known Powertube 750 with a capacity of 750 Wh. There is also the option of the 625 Wh battery, which saves some weight; By the way, in frame size S you have to do without the large battery completely - the shorter down tube simply does not offer enough space.
Equipment: (Almost) perfect package of components
Even if prices in excess of 10.000 euros are now the order of the day for top E-MTBs, the expectations placed on the components used by the Bulls Sonic Evo AM Team, which costs just under 11.000 euros, are high. However, a glance at the data sheet is enough to recognize that everything has (almost?) been done right here in Cologne. With the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate RC2, the beefy 1.8 inch front features one of the best suspension forks on the market. Only thoroughbred racers or heavy riders could prefer the somewhat stiffer (but also heavier) ZEB with thicker stanchions. At the rear, they opted for the Super Deluxe, also from RockShox. We were a bit surprised by the Select+ version - even if the shock harmonises excellently with the rear triangle in practice, we would have preferred the Ultimate version here too, given the purchase price mentioned.
frame | Bulls Sonic Evo AM Carbon |
suspension fork | RockShox Lyric Ultimate RC2 |
Power Type | Bosch Performance CX Race |
Battery | Bosch Power Tube 750 |
Suspension shocks | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT |
Wheels | e*thirteen TRS Race Carbon |
Tire VR | Schwalbe Magic Mary Addix Soft SuperTrail |
Tire HR | Schwalbe Magic Mary Addix Soft SuperGravity |
derailleur | Sram XX1 Eagle AXS |
Gear levers | Sram AXS rockers |
Crank | e*thirteen Carbon |
Front derailleur | ohne |
Brake | TRP DH-R Evo |
Brake discs | 220mm / 203mm |
Seat post | 8 pins |
Saddle | Prologo W850 Carbon |
Stem | MTB SLS |
Links | Bull's Enduro Carbon |
Apart from these two little things, we have absolutely no reason for criticism. With the Sram XX1 Eagle AXS in the noble and visually appealing Rainbow version, Bulls has installed one of the best circuits on the market. Electronic, wireless with successful ergonomics and lightning-fast gear changes. The TRP DH-R Evo brakes are an unusual sight, but not only because of their large 220mm or 200mm discs they grip reliably even after long descents and don't have to hide from the big names on the market. The wheels are classy: The e*thirteen TRS Race Carbon impress with their low weight and high stability and also offer a lifetime guarantee on the rims. Robust tires from Schwalbe are installed so that the latter don't have to put up with too much damage even in demanding terrain. The Magic Marys in front and behind are a very good choice, especially in the grippy Addix Soft rubber compound. There is special praise for the ultra-stable SuperGravity design on the rear wheel.
The 8pins seat post, which is completely integrated into the frame, is not only visually impressive. It offers over 200mm of travel, which can be easily adjusted to your own dimensions and needs using an adjustment screw. The other parts aren't skimped either: Crank arms made of carbon from e*thirteen, surprisingly thick grips, Prologo saddle with carbon struts and handlebars also made of carbon fibre. However, this is quite flat for a modern E-MTB, which also affects the handling.
The Bulls Sonic Evo AM Team on the trail
We were able to test the Bulls Sonic Evo AM Team extensively during a week-long test trip to Lake Garda. The demanding terrain on the idyllic northern Italian holiday lake was just the right terrain to explore the limits of the noble E-MTB. However, we could hardly find these mentioned limits, at least in the uphill passages - at least not on the bike. The combination of the enormously powerful race engine and the geometry, which is very well balanced even on steep climbs, meant that we reached our own technical limits without exhausting the full potential of the bike in this area.
Our impressions on the descent were not quite as positive, even if the bike cut a very good figure there as well. However, it was above all the deep front, which took some getting used to, that forced me to actively shift my weight again and again, especially in steep and blocked passages, which are very common on Lake Garda. Apart from that, the bike, which weighs almost 24 kg, turned out to be surprisingly agile and always invited to play around on the trail. The chassis was absolutely positive, as it didn't sweat excessively even at high speeds and on demanding terrain - even the Lyrik at the front was stiff enough for us in most situations.
Bulls deserves a lot of praise for the choice of components, which harmonized perfectly in practice and simply did their job perfectly. The rather unknown brakes from TRP were also very convincing and remained steadfast even on descents with a depth of more than 1.000 meters - which can make other brakes with much better known names work up a sweat.
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