Bulls Machete RX 1: With this new series, the Cologne-based company presents a gravel bike uncompromisingly geared towards racing. The model remains true to its bikepacking DNA with numerous mounting points, making it highly versatile. And Bulls has also nailed the price-performance ratio.
Bulls, the sporty in-house brand of the Cologne-based bicycle purchasing cooperative ZEG, is currently celebrating a double anniversary: Firstly, the brand introduced its first gravel bike, the Grinder, back in 2015; secondly, the trade association will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026. And so, a sporty drop-bar bike is among the anniversary models that Bulls has developed for the upcoming model year: the Bulls Machete RX 1This model represents the next development step of the Machete series and is the first uncompromising race gravel bike from the Cologne-based company, which has been at the forefront of MTB racing for years.
Bulls Machete RX 1 – the highlights
Optimal price-performance ratio: 1.999 Euro with carbon frame and Shimano GRX-RX 822/610.
New geometry based on racing bikes: More sporty than its adventure-oriented predecessors and clearly designed for racing speed, yet comfortable enough for hours of competition.
Purist race design: Reduced to the essentials – without mounting points for luggage racks, mudguards or hub dynamo.
Numerous mounting points: Two double attachments at the top and bottom of the top tube for hoses, energy bars or the specially developed RX frame bag.
Bottle holder positioning: Three mounting points allow for a low mounting of the bottle holders for a better center of gravity and optimized driving dynamics.
Wide-range gearing: 1x12 Shimano GRX groupset with 10-51 cassette. A double chainring and front derailleur setup is also possible.
Wheels & Tires: 45 mm wide tires for comfort, grip and safety.
Cockpit: Special gravel handlebar with a 20° flare and 5° outward bend for maximum control off-road. Fully integrated cable routing for a clean, aerodynamic look.
Developed with the support of Bulls racing drivers
Long-distance mountain biker and gravel specialist Alban Lakata As the sporting director of Bulls, he was closely involved in the development and is now getting a bike built to his specifications: consistently optimized for tough gravel races, uncompromising, efficient, and fast. The former Bulls MTB pro Karl Platt He already used the lightning-fast race model in the seven-day stage race “Gravel Burn” in South Africa over 800 km, where he won three stages and finished second overall in the M45 age group.
Completely new geometry and many detailed improvements
The hallmark of the new model is a riding and steering geometry closely aligned with road bikes, as well as aerodynamically optimized frame shapes; at the same time, the Machete remains bikepacking-ready thanks to numerous mounting options. Among the many detailed improvements are the covered axle thread in the fork and the new UDH standard on the rear triangle.
The pricing of the Bulls Machete RX is also very interesting. The RX 1 with Shimano GRX mix is available as an anniversary model for 1.999 The RX 2 and RX 3 are priced at a very competitive €1000, making them very affordable for what they offer. Two further models, the RX 2 and RX 3, are planned, which will also attract attention in terms of value for money: The RX 2 is equipped with the new SRAM Rival XPLR AXS and will be available in 3...999 The RX 3 costs €1000; it offers a price of €4000.999 Euro the lightweight SRAM Force XPLR AXS, plus a carbon wheelset from Mavic and the in-house “Rumble Blackbird Ultra Carbon” cockpit.
