Test / E-Bike: With the Urban EVO Amsterdam, the Cologne manufacturer Bulls presents a super-exciting urban e-bike with a single-speed drive, which at first glance doesn't reveal itself as an e-bike but is still bursting with innovation. So an alternative for VanMoof, Sushi Bikes etc.? We were already able to exclusively test the Bulls Urban EVO Amsterdam!
Urban e-bikes are currently very trendy. This is also shown by the countless start-ups that have plunged into this product category in recent years. But just as quickly as young companies emerge, they often disappear again. The reason: There is often a lack of a sustainable service concept for the bikes, which is partly due to the built-in components. A repair in a specialist retailer is therefore not possible and the supposedly low sales price usually pays off very quickly. For worry-free driving fun, you need a specialist dealer!
As one of the largest specialist retail brands in Germany, Bulls is now launching the Urban EVO Amsterdam, a stylish and smart e-bike for urban areas. Fashionable, discreet, slim and with well thought-out features…
Bulls Urban EVO Amsterdam – in a nutshell:
- Available as a trapeze and men's frame
- Motor: FIT Bafang R600 rear hub motor, 30 Nm
- Battery: FIT SuperTube 520 Wh
- Single speed drive with Gates belt
- Price: 3.299 euros RRP
Slim frame with well thought-out features
We couldn't believe it at first glance: Is there really an e-bike in front of us? Yes! But in fact it only becomes apparent upon closer inspection. The subtle black aluminum frame of the Urban EVO Amsterdam looks high-quality and elegant. As is typical for singlespeed, the rear frame triangle can be opened at the dropouts. The so-called FIT Master Node sits on the top tube - the control unit of the e-bike. Here you can easily switch on the Urban EVO Amsterdam and adjust the support levels. Colored LEDs provide information about the battery level and support level. Typically for Bulls, the Amsterdam has Fidlock bottle holders and mounting points for retrofitting a luggage rack. The few cables and cables are obligatory and are integrated into the frame and should therefore be protected from the effects of the weather.
The big highlight for us is the FIT SuperTube battery. Based on the volume of the down tube, you would hardly suspect that a 520 watt hour energy source is hidden there. So more than enough for urban areas. The only downside: the battery of the Bulls Urban EVO Amsterdam cannot be removed for charging.
Bulls Urban EVO Amsterdam – well thought-out and tested equipment
Rigid fork, single speed, belt drive and 28 inch wheels - the Amsterdam bike's completion is typical of an urban bike. Our highlight: The LED rear light integrated into the seat post - of course powered by the 520 Wh battery. The handlebar-stem unit is also beautifully designed. Done in the frame color, the unit not only looks great, it is also designed by Bulls to be ergonomic and - in our opinion - in exactly the right dimensions (stem length, handlebar width). The metal fenders not only look cool, they are also pulled down nicely. Class! This means you remain protected from water as best as possible, even when it is very wet. The 50 mm wide VeeTire Speedster tires with their studded profile are ideal for hard surfaces in the city, offer sufficient puncture protection and look great with the integrated reflective strips.
Braking is done using hydraulic Tektro disc brakes. Clever from Bulls, because alongside Shimano disc brakes, Tektro's stoppers are among the most reliable on the market. Speaking of reliable: The Gates belt drive is perfect for city traffic! No oiling, little maintenance and a long service life should ensure long-lasting functionality - without dirty trouser legs.
FIT Bafang R600 rear hub motor – nimble through the city
If you think the 30 Nm torque of the FIT Bafang R600 rear hub motor seems weak, you are very wrong. The small engine goes to work powerfully and dynamically, is pleasantly quiet and impresses straight away. What's particularly noticeable is that over 25 km/h it pedals virtually without resistance.
By the way, we didn't miss a gear shift at all in the urban jungle! At low cadence - for example when starting at a traffic light - the hub motor provides support with powerful torque that does not decrease until the switch-off limit is reached. The barely audible motor in combination with the quiet Gates belt is an absolute pleasure. And if you miss a display on the handlebars, you can quickly mount your smartphone using the SP Connect interface on the Ahead cap. On the Drive screen of the FIT app You can then display all driving data, navigate and much more.
The driving characteristics of the Bulls Urban EVO Amsterdam are comfortable, dynamic, lively and agile. So perfect for hectic rush hour traffic! So the bike leaves a lasting impression on us in the editorial team: specialist retailers can also be cool, modern, hip, smart, or whatever you want to call it...
Well done Bulls! For us, definitely one of the highlights of the 2024 model year!