Test of the Bulls Machete RX 1: The new carbon race bike impresses with its sporty frame geometry and forward-looking details such as the UDH rear triangle. Its close resemblance to a road bike makes it versatile and also interesting for road cyclists, for whom Bulls even offers a dedicated road model. The RX 1 also stands out from the rest of the range in terms of price.
After Bulls introduced its first aluminum gravel bike in 2015, it took a few years before a carbon model was ready for series production. At the end of 2020, Velomotion was involved in testing a new frame geometry, which later resulted in the Bulls Machete: significantly sportier than the aluminum Grinder model and with a distinctive design, while still geared towards all-around use and more in line with mountain bike principles. With the Bulls Machete RX, a new platform has now been added to the lineup, taking a completely different approach to gravel biking and thus catering much more to a race-oriented clientele.
Bulls Machete RX 1: the highlights
- New gravel carbon frame with racing geometry and stretched-out riding position
- All current assembly standards and aerodynamic pipe shapes
- Solid components including a Shimano GRX mix
- Attractive price: 1.999 Euro
Bulls Machete RX 1: Stretched-out seating position, handy steering
What sets the new Bulls Machete RX apart? At its core is a frame geometry very similar to that of well-known gravel bikes like the Specialized Crux or Cervélo Áspero. Typical features include a short head tube and therefore a low stack, along with a steep head angle and a short wheelbase. The top tube, and thus the reach, is also slightly shorter, but the Machete RX is equipped with a significantly longer stem and fewer spacers underneath. This results in a noticeably more stretched-out riding position on the racing Machete, with the handlebars positioned lower.
One could even say that the new gravel bike is cut like an endurance road bike – and indeed, Bulls also builds the Machete R 1 model on the same frame, equipped with Shimano 105 2x12 and 38 mm wide road tires. This saves the Cologne-based brand from having to build an additional road bike frame, which is obviously quite practical. Visually, the Machete RX also closely resembles a road bike, with slightly lower chainstays, an almost horizontal top tube, and a certain aerodynamic feel, which includes the concealed axle threads on the fork and the integrated seat clamp.
Significantly fewer threaded holes than on the all-round model
The manufacturer has omitted threaded holes on the fork, and fender mounting is not provided. However, top tube bags and two bottle cages can be mounted. The rear wheel mount, also typical of a gravel bike, conforms to the UDH standard – the Bulls Machete RX 2 is offered with the new SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1x13 groupset, which features a modern full-mount derailleur.
The impressive exterior is followed by a convincing riding experience. Anyone switching from Specialized Crux & Co. to the Bulls Machete RX1 will immediately feel at home; the new frame, with its perceived high stiffness and agile steering, is a lot of fun. The 45 mm wide Schwalbe G-One RX tires provide excellent grip, and the typical Shimano GRX mix – 822 rear derailleur, 610 shifters and cranks, and 410 brake calipers – works as well as ever on the Bulls.
Not easy, but cheap
The fact that the new model, at a good 10,5 kilos, isn't exactly light – especially for a carbon bike – draws attention to its rather basic components: The simple wheelset, with its 21 mm internal width, isn't ideal for wide gravel tires, the saddle and aluminum seatpost are simple, and the stem looks rather bulky. However, given the Bulls' exhilarating character, the impact of the weight on the handling is minimal, and anyway: With 1.999 At €1,000, the bike is exceptionally cheap for a carbon gravel bike – that might leave a few hundred euros to gradually purchase lighter components.
The Bulls Machete RX 1 owes its low price to the fact that it's a special anniversary model celebrating the 60th birthday of the brand's owner, Zweirad-Einkaufs-Genossenschaft eG (ZEG), and the price is expected to remain constant even after the anniversary year. This attractive offer also draws attention to the fact that the Machete RX 2 (SRAM Rival 1x13) and Machete R 1 (Shimano 105 1x12) are available with 3.999 or 2.999 The price is significantly less favorable in euros. Which is a shame, because if Bulls were to position itself more competitively here, the new Machete could be more successful than its predecessor – and that would be highly desirable for this successful gravel race bike.
